How can I (a vegetarian) gain more energy?

Question

I'm always so tired these days. I've almost wanted to start eating chicken again...but I'd rather be tired than guilty.

...help?

Answer 1

ok there are candy sort of things called FRS they come in different flavors and you can buy them at just about any wal mart. they are made to give you a big boost of energy. eat about 5 of them and youre good to go for the day.

Answer 2

I take protein pills, sporadically drink yummy protein shakes, and EVERY day I eat a spoonful of Peanut butter.

Answer 3

Healthy Eating:

5 A Day Fruit and Vegetables  

Eating the recommended 5 a day servings of fruit and vegetables is the most important element of any healthy eating plan

The Health Benefits

For the last eight years the Dept. of Health has been trying to drive home the "5-A-Day" message. Research proves that eating at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day has very real health benefits. It can help to prevent heart diseases and some cancers. Evidence shows however, that many of us are not listening to this healthy eating advice. Recent research shows that only 1 in 7 of us achieve the 5 a day quota.

Dept. of Health to issue 5-A-Day Logo

To further drive home the healthy eating message, the Dept. of Health is introducing a new 5-A-Day logo initiative in Spring 2003. The Dept. of Health's logo will clearly indicate the fruits and vegetables that contribute towards the 5 portions it recommends you to eat each day. The logo will appear on fresh, frozen, tinned or dried fruit and vegetables and will indicate how many portions the food will count as. The criteria to use the logo is strict and aims to encourage you to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.

In an effort to encourage healthy eating more research is being done by the Dept. of Health to help clear up confusion about what counts towards 5 a day and what doesn't - several processed foods with added salt, sugar and fat, despite containing fruit or vegetables will not at present qualify for the logo.

What stops you from getting 5 a day - Time, Money, Dislike All Fruit and Vegetables?  

Lack of time for healthy shopping

Look out for canned, frozen and juiced fruit and vegetables. They are just as nutritious. Buying your fruit and vegetables in this way also means you have plenty to hand when you need it without having to spend time stocking up with fresh produce every few days. Healthy eating doesn't mean you can't make use of convenience foods.

5 a day is too expensive

Don't be fooled, you could find healthy eating better for your budget. Fruit and vegetables (excluding exotic / imported ones) are surprisingly cheap. An average banana costs 20p - less than most bars of chocolate / crisps from the vending machine - and provides more in the way of nourishment for less calories.  

Choose fresh fruit and vegetables in season, not only are they cheaper they will also be most flavoursome and at their best.  

Markets also tend to be cheaper than supermarkets, particularly if you catch them when they packing up for the day.  

Alternatively opt for supermarket branded tinned or frozen fruit and vegetables.  

Dislike All Fruit and Vegetables

With such variety of tastes, it's hard to believe anyone can dislike them all. Also remember that tastes change as you age and therefore things you detested in your youth (like brussel sprouts...) may be a lot more palatable now! Try a different fruit / vegetable each week until you find some you enjoy.  

Working Your Way to Five A Day

Make it a mission to start working to your five a day quota. Remember you don't have to include all five portions overnight - your body probably won't thank you for it! (A sudden change can cause uncomfortable bloating and gas). Also don't rush out and buy a heap of fresh fruit and vegetables - to watch it rot in the fridge / fruit bowl over the coming week! Build up gradually, make it a habit and remember each extra serving is a step in the right direction. Try these healthy eating tips for including more fruit and vegetables:

Healthy Breakfast

Have a glass of 100% pure, unsweetened fruit juice

Slice some fresh fruit over your breakfast cereal or toss in a handful of dried apricots / raisins

Try a banana sandwich made with wholemeal / granary bread for extra fibre too

Make a delicious fruit smoothie from fresh fruit. Or add some skimmed milk / low fat yoghurt for a more creamy consistency

Healthy Snacks

Look out individual portions of carrot batons, dried apricots, raisins and grapes at the supermarket - grab these instead of chocolate / crisps

Make some crudites - carrots batons, celery sticks, baby sweetcorn, asparagus tips - to enjoy with a low calorie dip

Keep a piece of fresh fruit on hand - and ensure you eat it before you reach for high sugar / calorie snacks

Healthy Lunch

Add tomatoes, cucumber, mixed salad leaves to your sandwiches

Toss a selection of fruit / vegetables and salad leaves together for a delicious alternative - drizzle with a low calorie dressing and enjoy with a crusty wholemeal roll

Make your own vegetable soup for colder weather

Healthy Evening Meal

Try to include at least one vegetable with your evening meal

Add sliced vegetables to stir fries and disguise grated carrot in homemade dishes  

Make a fresh fruit salad for dessert

Healthy Eating Out

Order a pure, unsweetened fruit or vegetable juice

Request a side salad or vegetables instead of chips

Order a fresh fruit salad for dessert

What is a Portion of Fruit and Veg?

1 apple, banana, pear, orange or other similar sized fruit

2 plums, satsumas, kiwi fruit or other similar sized fruit

1⁄2 a grapefruit or avocado

1 large slice of melon or fresh pineapple

3 heaped tablespoons of vegetables, beans or pulses

3 heaped tablespoons of fruit salad or stewed fruit

1 heaped tablespoon of raisins or sultanas

3 dried apricots

1 cupful of grapes, cherries or berries

1 dessert bowl of salad

1 small glass (150ml) of pure fruit juice

Healthy Eating with Weight Loss Resources

Your Weight Loss Resources Food Diary keeps a tally of your fruit and vegetable servings each day. Our calculation is based on the principle that 80g fruit or vegetables = one serving. Whilst, for simplicity, this is an approximation, it proves to be a good indication of your fruit and vegetable intake, and will help get to 5 a day.

Hope this Helps?

Answer 4

Fruits, Nuts & seeds, Thai young coconut, Durian, etc

Most of these gives you energy if you don't over eat them!

What makes you tired is the dairy.  Try and not eat dairy for a week and see how your body feels!  Good luck!

Answer 5

more protein, and more iron = more energy...tofu, soy, almonds/nuts, raisons, and eggs (since your only vegetarian)  and also, bananas are known to give you more energy. exercise is always great, too. hope i helped (:

Answer 6

Coconut, Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, any any type of nuts. Avocados. If you do not eat many animal products (eggs, dairy) a B-12 supplement might help.

Answer 7

You can eat peanut butter that boosts your energy. You can eat fish or seafood if you are the kind of vegetarian.                          

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/pub...

Check out this website.

Answer 8

how long have you been eating a vegetarian diet? i found i was tired alot during the first few months of switching off meat - maybe due to the detoxification process.

if you're new - the tired will pass. if not - try eating a handful of soynuts or almonds when you need a boost, or some string cheese.

Answer 9

Maybe you need an iron supplement. I take one and, without it, I'm exhausted all the time.

Answer 10

You might just need an iron supplement taken with a vitamin drink to boost your blood cells so that you don't go back to eating meat.

Answer 11

You might need a banana or two plus exercise!!

Answer 12

Hi.

Dont eat chicken. The only thing in that is high cholesteral, and to be honest, there are plenty of veggie foods way better that 'chicken' to give you energy.

Its all about getting a well balenced diet to, and make sure its sustained. Basicly, eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, and make sure they are good and proper to give you energy.

Breakfast:

I used to have frosties for brekfast, and you know what? it didnt do anything, i was energised for about15 minutes, and after that i was craving food again. So i started eating branflakes with banana on top, and that kept me full for 2 hours, then i started eating muesli, and it keeps me full for just under 5 hours, which is great. Remember its about getting the right kind of muelsi to, get one with plenty of nuts and not so many raisins. Oats, wheat flakes, all of that, just make sure they dont add sugar to it. Unless its natural sugars (raisins, apricots etc.)

Lunch

Have protein with carbohydrates, about 40% protein and 60% carbs. I suggest somthing like salad leaves, cold potato, with rice and some pulses. Or if your making a sandwich have wholemeal bread stuffted with veggies and tofu or other vegetarian protein (quorn slices etc).

Dinner

Eat well here to. Have a good meal with lots of protein in. About 60% protein and 40% carbs this time. Beans on toast is an example of protein with carbs, and its a bit of a quicky, so if your not in a rush, have somthing like a nut cutlet with and lots of veggies (and some mash potato to if you like =]).

Whatever you eat, eat well, and make sure to get all the right nutrition, get a good nights sleep to. Do this and you will be full of energy.

More on nutrtion here - http://www.vegsoc.org/info/basic-nutriti...

Hope this helps and good luck

Answer 13

There are lot of soybean products,which gives test and all energy what you get from meat.

Answer 14

What is it in chicken that gives you energy exactly?   Do you eat a well balanced vegetarian diet?  Google the vegetarian food pyramid to see what you should be eating.