Whenever you cut anything out of your diet, you’re likely to replace it with something else. But you have to be sure that you’re substituting the right things. One huge mistake that people make when going veggie or vegan is to replace meat with veggie and vegan junk food: bean burritos, crackers, Oreos, dark chocolate, and bagels. In reality, you should be replacing the vitamins and nutrients that meat previously brought to the plate. Ideally, you should visit a nutritionist and ask for help drawing up a complete list of raw, natural foods that contain everything you need.
But if you don’t yet have the time or money, or just need an extra boost, you should consider dietary supplements. Dietary supplements come in a wide variety of forms: tablets, capsules, powders, soft gels, gelcaps, drinks, and energy bars are just a few! Also, if you’re taking supplements because you’re vegetarian, please double-check that the capsule manufacturer produces vegetarian capsules as most capsules are made from gelatin. This is an important thing to look out for when choosing a supplement as you don’t want to accidentally be consuming animal products. Here’s everything you need to know about dietary supplements and where you can find them.
What Is a Dietary Supplement?
A dietary supplement is a product intended for ingestion that contains a key ingredient that people are often missing from their everyday diet. Any supplement that you come into contact with should be clearly labelled. Read the products’ contents, concentration, and the amount of the given active ingredient per serving. You should also keep an eye out for any other added ingredients that may be used for binding, flavouring, or filling.
As with anything that you intend to consume, you should always do your research before purchasing a supplement and consuming it. Remember that everyone is different. What works for one person may not be ideal for you, so you should always talk to your personal healthcare professional.
They will be able to determine whether a given supplement will cause problems when taken with certain medications or may cause problems to arise with current treatments that you are undergoing. You should also ensure that you only purchase supplements from legitimate suppliers. Nowadays, the internet is awash with cheaper alternatives to the big branded names out there that haven’t been thoroughly vetted, so be cautious.
Protein
One of the biggest worries that people have when cutting out meat from their diet is where they’re going to source their protein. While there are plenty of plant-based proteins out there (which can be found in beans, tofu, soy, and seitan), there are also supplements in the form of powders, spreads, and bars. These are ideal for those who are going to be exerting more energy than the average person. So if you’re hitting the gym regularly or just live a particularly busy and active lifestyle, this could be the perfect option for you. You’re likely to have to undergo a series of trial and error to find the best tasting protein bars, shakes, and spreads, but once you’ve found your go-to option, you’re set for a long time!
Vitamin B12
While you can gain most vitamins from plant-based sources, studies have found that vegetarians and vegans are more likely to suffer from a lack of vitamin B12 than any other group. It can be found in unwashed organic produce, such as mushrooms grown in B12-rich soil, spirulina, chlorella, and nutritional yeast. But chances are you won’t be eating too much of these things regularly. So consider supplements in the form of tablets or gel capsules!
As you can see, dietary supplements are a brilliant addition to anyone’s lifestyle, particularly those who have recently cut something out. So, try them out today. You’ll be feeling much healthier before you know it!
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