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 Most Americans don’t eat enough vegetables, so you’d think vegetarians and vegans (vegetarians who consume no foods that come from animals) would be the healthiest people around. It’s true that reducing red meat consumption can lower your risk of heart disease, and eating a vegetarian diet may also lower your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and even cancer. But research, including a study published in 2016 in the journal Nutrients shows that vegetarians also run the risk of deficiencies in certain nutrients, notably not getting enough vitamin B12. “Vitamin B12 is important in maintaining appropriate brain functioning and blood flow throughout our bodies and is mainly found in animal products, which is why someone following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle may develop a deficiency,” explains Amanda Hostler, RD, a therapeutic nutrition specialist at Abbott in Houston, TX. “Vitamin B12 deficiency [can manifest] as the disease megaloblastic anemia, characterized by a low red blood cell count, with the red blood cells being larger than normal.” Symptoms that may company anemia can include fatigue, weakness, constipation, not wanting to eat and weight loss. Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency without anemia might be tingling in your hands and feet, depression, confusion, memory problems and balance issues. To make sure you’re getting enough B12, try having nutritional yeast, fortified ready-to-eat cereals and soy milk, and (if you eat some animal products), dairy, eggs, fish, and shellfish. While whole foods are the best source, supplements can assure the adequate intake of 2.4 micrograms a day, especially if you’re vegan. Check out this guide on how to become a vegan and get proper nutrition.
You may have heard that zinc is important in warding off colds—and in fact, this mineral plays a role in regulating the body’s immune system. But it can be hard to get it naturally if you’re a vegetarian. “Since zinc is found in limited amounts in plant-based foods, and zinc absorption from plant-based foods is reduced, a deficiency can occur,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, author of Belly Fat Diet For Dummies. “A zinc deficiency may lead to an impaired immune system, slow wound healing, hair loss, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.” Try foods such as fortified breakfast cereal, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, cashews and chickpeas—but keep in mind you may still need a supplement or multivitamin to get your daily dose of 8 mg (for women) or 11 mg (for men). And be careful—you don’t want to overdo it on zinc because too much can lead to nausea and vomiting, so ask your doctor before starting. When choosing a zinc supplement, “look for brands that are USP-certified to ensure that the supplement meets purity and potency standards,” Palinski-Wade says. (Speaking of standards, is vegetarian fast food healthy? Find out.)
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, iron is the most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of anemia in the United States. The body absorbs two to three times more iron from animal sources than plant sources, so vegetarians can have a hard time getting the iron they need. “Iron has a very important role in transporting oxygen throughout our blood to maintain our energy levels,” Hostler explains. Symptoms of an iron deficiency include fatigue, dizziness, headache, pale skin, weakness, and sometimes cravings for weird things, like ice and dirt. Vitamin C paired with iron sources can help increase absorption, so Hostler recommends meal options like bell pepper and bean salad, spinach salad with a lemon vinaigrette, or fortified cereal with berries. Beans, lentils, spinach, fortified cereal with cashews, and tofu are all loaded with iron, as well as these iron-rich foods that are great for vegetarians. You may also need an iron supplement after consulting with your doctor.
If you’re a vegetarian but you eat fish (specifically fatty fish like salmon, tuna, or trout), you should be good on omega-3s. But vegans need to take extra care to get enough. “Although diets without seafood may be lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, adding omega-3s such as chia seeds, walnuts, and even algae can be a good way to boost intake,” Palinski-Wade says. Flaxseed and soybeans are other good options. Among the many benefits of omega-3s is their important role in brain and eye function, anti-inflammatory properties, and ability to help lower cholesterol. To make sure you’re getting enough, consider a supplemental omega-3, Palinski-Wade says. “Look for high-quality sources that, if coming from seafood, have had purities such as mercury and PCBs removed,” she adds. “I personally recommend the Nordic Naturals line as a high-quality brand.”
Many Americans, especially in northern climates, are vitamin D deficient in the winter. The best source of vitamin D is the sun, and Hostler says as little as 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure a day is enough to avoid a vitamin deficiency. “Vitamin D contributes to good bone health and boosts the body’s immune system, which is why it’s important to have an adequate intake of it,” she says. Without it, you could have weakened bones as well as an increased risk for depression and diabetes. The problem with relying on food for vitamin D is that “dietary vitamin D is provided in only a few food sources, of mainly animal origin,” Hostler says. So it’s one of the vitamins for vegetarians that’s even harder to get enough of. Try eggs, cheese, salmon, tuna, and cow’s milk; if you’re vegan, try fortified orange juice, soy milk, cereal, and shiitake mushrooms. Supplements can help you get the recommended 600 IU a day (800 IU a day if you’re over 70). Try this vegan ramen recipe that boosts your vitamin D intake with mushrooms.
You probably know that calcium is essential for building and maintaining strong bones. We usually think of dairy as the source for calcium, but there are others. Plant-based sources of calcium “are not absorbed as well in the body, which can lead to a deficiency,” says Palinski-Wade. Over time, low calcium can up your risk for weak bones and osteoporosis. In addition to dairy, Hostler says natural sources include collard greens, turnip greens, kale, broccoli, and bok choy, as well as soybeans, chickpeas, black beans, and almonds. You may try calcium-fortified plant-based milk, cereals, or juices too. But, Palinski-Wade says, “a calcium supplement daily is a good idea for all vegetarians and vegans, and especially for women and children.” The recommended adult intake is 1,000 mg a day, or 1,200 if you’re a woman over 50. “In addition, incorporating daily exercise using your own body weight can be a helpful way to increase bone strength,” she says.
We associate protein with meat, so it may seem that deficiencies among vegetarians are common—but in fact, enough protein can easily be obtained in a veggie diet. “Since plant-based protein sources are so abundant, a protein deficiency in those following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle is rare,” Hostler says. “Plant-based protein sources typically contains more dietary fiber and less saturated fat compared to animal-based protein sources. It’s important to be aware, however, that vegetarians and vegans need to consume more protein than their meat-eating counterparts because plant-based protein has lower digestibility than animal protein.” Meals like bean burritos, tofu, vegetable stir-fry, and lentil chili are protein-packed options. Legumes, whole grains, soy, nuts, and seeds, as well as dairy and eggs, are good choices, and Palinski-Wade advises eating a variety of sources in order to ensure you’re getting all the essential amino acids that makeup protein. (Consider throwing one of these vegan protein powders into your diet to make sure you’re getting all the protein you need.)
This B vitamin—aka B2–helps convert food into energy, so Palinski-Wade says a deficiency could lead to poor energy, slowed growth, and digestive problems. “Since this nutrient is found mostly in animal proteins, it’s possible to fail to consume enough each day,” especially for vegans, Palinski-Wade says. If you don’t eat dairy products, try plant-based sources such as almonds, spinach, and mushrooms. In addition, “a daily B complex vitamin can help to fill in the gaps,” she says. But, talk to your doctor to make sure you need it—B vitamins are water-soluble, so even though you’ll just pee out the extra, it will cause your kidneys to work overtime. “It’s more beneficial to consume your vitamins and minerals through whole foods, which provide your body with many different nutrients that work together to have a greater effect on your health,” Hostler says.
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Originally Published: October 08, 2019 Originally Published in Reader's Digest |
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