Is it possible to get TOO much energy from limiting meat intake?

Question

My dear friend has taken my lead and is starting to cut out meat products. He recently stopped eating beef and pork. But now, he says he has too much energy. He can't sleep as well as before and he is often thinking at a mile-a-minute. I never had this experience when I stopped consuming all animal products. So, what's the deal? Is there a way to curb energy without going back to previous meat-eating habits?

Answer 1

I'd suspect an anxiety disorder, extra physical energy is converted into fat and stored, so it doesn't keep one up at night, or cause one to talk "a mile-a-minute." Any changes, including dietary changes can bring preexisting problems to the surface.

I'd say he needs to see his doctor.

Answer 2

The only way this could POSSIBLY make sense is if he is eating more in order to compensate for his decreased protein intake. Because protein takes longer to digest, it keeps you feeling full. If he is eating less protein, he might be feeling hungry more often and so he might be eating more (ie taking in more calories) which might make him more energetic. Maybe.

Most likely it is all in his head.

Answer 3

this guy needs to exercize.

how about yoga and meditation?

he'll get over it.. his body is absorbing nutrients that it was starved of.

in a few short months he'll recover if he sticks with it.

he's just having a boost as we call it.    this is normal and overly common...  doesn't take too long to get over it either.

Answer 4

I think its in his head.  Maybe he's bipolar?

I first stopped eating pork, then beef and later poultry.  Nuttn'.

All I feel is... a little hungry but a LOT LESS GUILTY.

Answer 5

Vegetarian foods are more nutritious  and rich in Calories

People who follow vegetarian diets can get all the nutrients they need. However, they must be careful to eat a wide variety of foods to meet their nutritional needs. Nutrients vegetarians may need to focus on include protein, iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin B12.

Answer 6

He's starving. Is he losing weight? Those are the symptoms of a person who isn't taking in nearly enough calories.

Answer 7

C'mon Kyle. If you had a grasp on science you'd know that "recently" wouldn't have that effect. It's a post like this that sets things back for vegers.

Is it possible to get TOO much energy from limiting meat intake?---No, it isn't. Is it possible to forfeit your integrity by posting like this? I think it's quite possible.

Answer 8

Hi,

I would assume that by cutting out pork and beef, he is reducing his saturated fat intake too. Too much fat, particularly saturated fat, can make people feel sluggish & lethargic as fat is digested slowly. Maybe he has eliminated meat too suddenly?

Everyone's body works differently, but I would assume that he needs more calories. Has he tried meat free burgers? They are great for new veggies, and will supply him with more calories.

Remeber that a healthy diet goes hand in hand with some exercise. To curb his energy, maybe he could try some light exercise, such as brisk walking. It's a great way to deal with excess energy.

Kindly tell him not to rely on sugary snacks, as these will cause a rapid 'spike' in blood sugar levels. People can easily become dependant on sugar to give them a quick boost. Fruit is a much better snacking option, much better than chocolate (or any other sugary snack) because although it has a high sugar content, the energy in most fruits is released slowly. Bananas are the best snack ever for this reason because they are a sustaining snack. :)

I hope his energy levels stabilise soon, maybe he should see a doctor to rule out any medical issue.

Best wishes,

Hollywood

Answer 9

Yes it's possible.  It happened to me when I first started because I was eating too much fruit, raw beets, carrots, greens, etc.  That's not to say that raw vegan-ism guarantees sleeplessness.  I was eating certain vitamin and sugar rich foods in excess and throwing my body out of wack. That sounds like what he is doing.  Too much sugar or vitamin C.

Edit-  Kyle ask your friend if he consumes any of the following:

chocolate, sodas, tea, mate, ( basically anything with a stimulant).  Eliminating animal products can heighten the sensitivity to caffeine since veggie food is so quickly used, digested and absorbed, whereas stimulants, and depressants have a tendency to ride along with the meat.  He  may just need to cut back on or cut out sodas, coffee, chocolate or whatever.

Answer 10

Hi, because he is changing his diet, he may be cutting out other foods as well as beef and pork, it could well be that he was consuming foods that made his system sluggish.  Although I didn't have a huge rush of energy when I first went vegetarian I certainly felt "lighter" and certainly not so sluggish.

Answer 11

Thinking mile-a-minute and not being able to sleep sounds more like an anxiety attack then to much energy. Reading up on how to follow a balanced vegetarian diet should help him. If it doesn't he may want to speak to his doctor.