Vegetarian

[Nicole!]

So fellow vegetarians, how do you get all the nutrients that we miss out on since we don't eat meat?
I'm already taking vitamins, calcium pills, and iron pills too so I'm used to substituting.

[Palmolive]

See, I have no idea how I get all the right ones. I don't think I do But I don't know!

Edit: Sorry, my answer is really unproductive!

[Peppermint Tea.♥]

I used to be a complete vegetarian, and I ate pulses (lentils, peanut butter, that sort of stuff) to get protein, plus a lot of dairy (because I wasn't a vegan). Iron can be got from vegetables like spinach, although I never got enough iron because I don't like those foods.

I also took a few supplements, although they were vitamins, the reason I was lacking these was nothing to do with being vegetarian.

I found it very difficult to get all the stuff I needed so I'm now a pescatarian who occasionally eats meat.

[Bean]

I'm vegan. By eating a healthy varied vegan diet (which is very, very easy to do), I am not missing out on anything that comes from meat. I do not take any supplements, because I don't need to.

[Peppermint Tea.♥]

Originally Posted by Bean

I'm vegan. By eating a healthy varied vegan diet, I am not missing out on anything that comes from meat. I do not take any supplements, because I don't need to.

That's the point I was aiming for with my reply, but I got a bit side tracked. If you eat healthily enough, you shouldn't need supplements. I couldn't because I'm a very fussy eater so I adapted my diet to make it easier for myself.

[The Morrigan]

I'm not a vegetarian myself but I know that iron and protein are sometimes the main nutrients vegetarians miss out on.

Foods high in iron
- Spinach
- Dried Fruit
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
- Soya beans
- Bran flakes
- Pumpkin seeds

Foods high in protein
- Tofu
- Kidney Beans
- Chickpeas
- Oatmeal
- Eggs
- Cottage Cheese

Hope this helps Nicole

[alixthetree]

I'm kind of a picky eater, so I've just found it's easiest that I take a multi-vitamin. Like others have said though, I know if you eat that right things and vary them you shouldn't have a problem. A website I suggest checking out is called http://www.happycow.com it's all vegetarian and vegan. Anyone on there can help you out more (some have even been vegan for like 25 years). It's an interesting website.

[Bean]

Originally Posted by Serenity.

I'm not a vegetarian myself but I know that iron and protein are sometimes the main nutrients vegetarians miss out on.

This is simply not true.
Protein is almost never a problem. The only places where protein deficiency is widespread is where there is famine. If you are eating enough food, you are almost definitely getting enough protein.
Although protein is certainly an essential nutrient which plays many key roles in the way our bodies function, we do not need huge quantities of it. In reality, we need small amounts of protein.

In fact, it turns out that the majority of omnivorous people get too much protein, which is detrimental to your health.

As for iron... some might expect that since the vegan diet contains a form of iron that is not that well absorbed, vegans might be prone to developing iron deficiency anemia. However, surveys of veg*ns have found that iron deficiency anemia is no more common among veg*ns than among the general population.

This is a very good reference for nutrition and vegan/vegetarian diets.
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm

[Anatidaephobia]

Originally Posted by Alexithymia

See, I have no idea how I get all the right ones. I don't think I do But I don't know!

Edit: Sorry, my answer is really unproductive!

I am exactly the same

[x_sepi_x]

Idon't get the right nutrients, don't even know how. Taking multivitamins and iron tablets and lots of protien rich foods lol :P

[Thirteen]

Originally Posted by Bean

I'm vegan. By eating a healthy varied vegan diet (which is very, very easy to do), I am not missing out on anything that comes from meat. I do not take any supplements, because I don't need to.

Same here. I've been Vegan for almost a year, and the only time I ever use any supplements is when I'm sick, and I only take multi-vitamins when sick because I can't eat when sick.

But as has been said, various nuts and beans, as well as tofu, the right fruits/vegetables, Nutritional Yeast (can be used in cooking, and a great source of Vitamin B12), and well, just eating right and thinking about your labels (the Nutritional Information, mainly) are good ways to get all the nutrients you need, without the need for as many (or even any) supplements.

[Cohen]

I think you have to eat just toast or cereal and not heavy foods like which one can create problem

[x_sepi_x]

eat fich and dried apricots and spinach!! lol

[Verità]

I'm super picky, and the foods I like tend to depend on my mood, so I take a multivitamin and I visit my nutritionist every now and then to form/adjust meal plans.

[Troubled_Heart]

I take vitamin pills which give me all I need because they cover everything although I still find I'm low in iron and therefore I eat spinach (even though I hate the stuff). I think beans and lentills are good for iron too... and cereal/oats and rice.
Quorn gives you more protein than meat so I just have that and I can continue with a normal diet.
Most foods come in other food to meat and you're only missing out on a few things which I think I've covered...

[Celestial.]

I've been vegetarian for a couple of years now, and I've never had to take any supplements.
What I do is try and eat a varied diet - I've heard it called 'eating the rainbow'. You should be able to get everything you need from your food if you balance it correctly - one thing I'd suggest is seeing a nutritionist. I did last year, and she helped work out which foods I should eat more or less of, and things like that. Just a thought.

[BluEiis]

Well, I just started cooking, and I'm the only vegetarian in the family, I typically make myself whatever I make them, but with tofu or something to that effect. A suitable meat substitute. I also take quite a few different vitamin supplements. I don't have dairy either, and I drink Almond Milk, and take calcium supplements. I am also gluten free, but at our local health food store (Sun Harvest), I buy gluten free cereal and bread mixes. Also I rely on Bisquick Gluten Free mix(= I just find alternatives any way I know how.

[Adrian]

Go to your doctor or a nutritionist and ask like i told you before.

[Imagine]

Originally Posted by Adrian

Go to your doctor or a nutritionist and ask like i told you before.

You don't have to be rude. She is allowed to ask on the forums.

Nicole- i just take vitamins and make sure i am eating some of the things Cara listed.

[emma01]

Originally Posted by Adrian

Go to your doctor or a nutritionist and ask like i told you before.

I don't think this was really the point of the thread, and I don't think you had any right to say this - a bit rude if you ask me.

Anyway! There are actually things on the shelf at the supermarket like vege sausages and vege bacon even!!! Their is also stuff like tofu, falafel, tofu luncheon (like vegetarian luncheon meat) out there! Things like cottage cheese, cheese, yoghurt, fruits, veges, bread and nuts give you a perfectly balanced diet that shouldn't leave you deficient in any way. However, there are plenty of vegetarian meal replacements, shakes and supplements...as well as pills that can ensure you have what you need!

[Paix et Amour]

well, i eat veggie meats, and they have a lot of that stuff in it. but i just take multi-vitamins :P

[Nicole!]

Originally Posted by Adrian

Go to your doctor or a nutritionist and ask like i told you before.

I was getting a variety of opinions.