Going Vegan = SO TIRED? - Transitioning (health)
Hey guys, hope this is the right place for this! I've been lurking on the forum for a while now, and finally have something to post about. :)
I started switching from a vegetarian (mostly lacto - I used eggs in recipes but not to eat on their own, and ate cheese, sour cream, etc. but no cow's milk) to vegan diet around the end of March. So far, it's just not buying dairy products, concentrating on our house being 100% vegan before conquering the outside world.
ANYWAY. I am rambling.
The last couple of weeks I have noticed that I am extremely fatigued a good deal of the time. I'm beginning to wonder if my diet is lacking something? I eat a decent amount of fresh fruit and veggies, along with grains in my breads and pastas. I use soymilk in my baking, but don't drink it straight, so am probably getting a minimal amount of it. I also don't currently take a multi-vitamin, even though I really should be.
I guess what I'm asking is what could I be missing out on from cutting out dairy? I would Google-fu but I'm at work and 90% of sites are prohibited, LOL. Could my tiredness be related to some missing nutrient? Any ideas, tips, whatever would be most helpful, and I thank you in advance!
Cassie
Maybe iron?
Perhaps it is just the change in diet that has you pooped and as your body gets used to it you will perk up.
Do you use a cast-iron skillet to cook? Vegans love those!
I think it could be iron, or possibly B12. I'm definitely going to start taking a vitamin, but I'd rather get as many nutrients as possible straight from the food sources, you know?
I wish I had a cast iron skillet! I live in the UK right now, and have been unable to find one anywhere. I'm flying back to the US for a visit next week, maybe I can sneak one back home in my luggage. :)
I doubt B-12 unless you have been vegan for years, and it says in your post that you haven't. B-12 is stored in our livers so we can live without it for a long time...as in years.
Yes, I also doubt it is B12. And if you already vegetarian, cutting dairy would only make your iron go up, not down, most likely, but an iron deficiency would make you tired. It is worthwhile to have your doctor check your blood levels as soon as you can, though, to rule out any deficiencies. That's a good first step.
Perhaps you are deficient in calories. Do you eat enough? Do you often get hungry? Since cutting dairy, you probably consume fewer calories. You mentioned eating veggies, fruits, and grains and pasta, but do you eat enough protein and fat? Perhaps adding bean, nuts, seeds, tofu, or tempeh would be helpful.
Congratulations on the new vegan diet!
have you replaced thoes foods that you omitted? It could be a lack of calories or not enough protein in each meal. Its not that you need to worry about a large amount of protein if you are eating a varied diet,but it helps keep your sugar levels stable. SO try to have some protein (like nuts,nut butters, tofu,seitan, etc) w/your carbs. Grains and beans have both carbs and protein,so they are great energy sources.
Are you drinking enough? often, dehydration can lead to fatigue
.
and I agree, you should getsome simple blood tests tocheck your levels, at least tohave a baseline.
A multi vitamin certainly wouldnt hurt,too.
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply, I've been having trouble with the site!
I think that it most likely was/is a deficiency in calories. I hadn't replaced dairy with anything, and didn't realize how much of my caloric intake was from it! I'm definitely going to be incorporating more tofu and beans into my diet, I don't eat nearly enough from the legume family as I should.
When I got home the other night, I found some vegetarian Omega 3 + multi-vitamins and started taking those. Going by the ingredients, they seem to be vegan as well, even if it doesn't specifically state that. I already feel better mentally, so I think I may have been lacking some there as well.
Thanks for the replies, they really helped. :D
yay. glad your'e feeling better.
try some iron supplements too, might be anemic. (like me)
I used to have the same problem (and still do sometimes when I eat junk) I feel healthiest when I eat lots of fruits & veggies, whole grains, beans & soy (including tofu & tempeh), and healthy fats like nuts & seeds, avocados, and coconut. I try to limit my processed carbs & sugar.
But really, don't be afraid of healthy fats.
yay. glad your'e feeling better.
try some iron supplements too, might be anemic. (like me)
I did have some problems with anemia in high school, and again in my pregnancy. I took iron supplements then, but hated them. I'm going to give this new multi-vitamin a trial run, but if I still feel run down in the coming weeks, I'll make an appt. to get my iron levels checked.
I used to have the same problem (and still do sometimes when I eat junk) I feel healthiest when I eat lots of fruits & veggies, whole grains, beans & soy (including tofu & tempeh), and healthy fats like nuts & seeds, avocados, and coconut. I try to limit my processed carbs & sugar.
But really, don't be afraid of healthy fats.
Hah, I could really do with someone telling me that every day of my life. :)
I'm trying to lose weight, and was on the WW points plan, so even healthy fats cost me a bomb in points. I've lost 15 lbs. so far, and I'm trying really hard to incorporate more healthy fats while still maintaining a steady weight loss. But sometimes I think, "Avocado! Eek! SO MANY POINTS!" ;)
I do need to steer clear(er) of processed carbs and sugars. I bake a LOT and I know that's where the majority of my sugar is coming from. But I love it so. :)