New Vegetarian Feels Tired in Mind and Body

[Michelle]

I am on day 45 of my new vegetarian lifestyle. During the first month, my body seemed to purge out what must have been festering for ages within my cells. This process was even slightly violent. I feel good now, somehow cleaner.

During the last 2 weeks, however, my energy levels have dropped significantly. I am a professional singer, so stamina, mental clarity and concentration are all essential in my daily life. Instead I am feeling cloudy, tired, and listless.

What am I doing wrong?

I would like to solve my problems naturally meaning - if I can't meet my nutritional needs through food (as opposed to downing supplements, etc.) - I will go back to being a carnivore.

[kljsadfhklj]

Are you following a balanced diet? Cuz when I was an omnivore I used to eat a steak and a bunch of rice for lunch and that was it. Now I eat rice, beans, all the salads, lots of fruits and some other stuff I don't know their names in english, and in smaller but more often eatings.

[Andrew Michaels]

I've been a vegan for about 3 years and I'm moving onto raw foods. My energy increased quite a bit on a vegan diet.

If you're a vegetarian, what you must remember is just because you've removed meat from your diet, it doesn't mean that you're eating well. I could be a vegan who lives off vegan cake and potato chips - I wouldn't be healthy though.

You need to tell us exactly what your diet is.

Basically, whether or not you eat meat, you need to be getting 8/10th of your diet from vegetables, fruit, and whole grains.

I highly recommend the book "Eat To Live" by Joel Fuhrman for info on eating healthy on a vegetarian/near vegetarian diet. It also has information on including small amounts of "bad food" in your diet without it killing you.

[moltar]

I noticed major energy gains when I started not eating meat as well. It's probably the other foods that you are eating now causing this. Do you eat more iron now that you don't eat meat?

[escapee]

I have been a vegan for almost 2 months ( yes , It's the China study recommended by Steve ) .Beside losing 7 KG , I feel like i have regained control of my health and my emotion . This is the most important change i have ever made in my life for the better of my health and the ecological balance.

I think everyone of us has the responsibility to stop the animal and aquatic population from collapsing by choosing the right diet.

By 2048 All Current Fish, Seafood Species Projected To Collapse - Science News - Playfuls.com - Science & Technology

[cgs]

I've been vegan for about 4 months now, and it's been going great. Make sure you are eating a variety of foods, and your bases will be covered without worrying about individual things too much. I started out eating alot of peanut butter and jelly, but now I make things like hummus and sprout sandwiches, and bean burritos, and of course pasta. Just mix it up a bit and make sure you are getting enough complex carb calories.

[cgs]

Oh - if you are vegan make sure you are getting your B12. Unfortunately, you pretty much have to take a supplement for that as there is not enough in today's vegetables. The other thing to look out for is iron, but as long as you are eating a variety of foods and enough calories you should be ok.

[Nancy Lebovitz]

Instead of offering advice, I'm going to ask--what are you eating?

Also, it's possible that you're doing everything "right", and you're not cut out to be a vegetarian. From what I've heard, some people need a little meat. One of the things I respect about Steve Pavlina is that he takes an experimental attitude towards changing his life. Unfortunately, when something works very well for him (like veganism or waking up early), he's got some tendency to imply it would be great for everybody.

[Dharma]

Realize your food sources have a vibration to them. Cow, chicken, fish, nuts, and beans all have protien plus the essence of the lifeform it came from. This matters more or less depending on where your consciousness is at, but if you want stamina, concentration and fire, I'd try some steak over beans, vegetables, or nuts and see how you feel.

Originally Posted by Michelle

I would like to solve my problems naturally meaning - if I can't meet my nutritional needs through food (as opposed to downing supplements, etc.) - I will go back to being a carnivore.

Your whole diet won't go to hell if you have some animal protien when you feel you need some. There's nothing wrong with eating meat unless you make it so.

[Michelle]

Thank you all for your replies so far.

My diet consists of many whole organic foods which are supposed to be energy givers (for long hours standing on stage) like brown rice, polenta, whole wheat pasta. I am a big fan of beans and lentils. I eat dairy but do not drink milk.

Where I admit to lacking is in the veggie/fruit area. I do eat these foods as well, but perhaps not in the needed quantities? I was out to dinner tonight with my boyfriend and ordered some vegetable kebabs and pumpkin soup. Honestly, when my meal arrived, I couldn't stop thinking "Where is my food, where is my food?", and I can't admit to feeling satisfied.

I tend to be very sensitive to my environment, and am quite aware of vibrational differences in foods/people, etc. Do you think an inability to maintain vegetarianism is a direct reflection of a low state of consciousness?

[Cron]

To feel good on any diet, you need to know a BRIEF amount of nutrition information.

I highly recommend this "starter kit". It is written by a vegan and registered dietician. It is brief, it relies on hard facts, and it has useful recipes.

Guide to Compassionate Living / Starter Pack

I would read it over and maybe write down what you eat for 1 - 2 weeks just to see if you are hitting your nutrtion targets. After that amount of time you will have an idea of what to eat and how much.

[Dharma]

Originally Posted by Michelle

Honestly, when my meal arrived, I couldn't stop thinking "Where is my food, where is my food?", and I can't admit to feeling satisfied.

I tend to be very sensitive to my environment, and am quite aware of vibrational differences in foods/people, etc. Do you think an inability to maintain vegetarianism is a direct reflection of a low state of consciousness?

lol no. You don't need to be a vegetarian to be "evolved" or anything. Consciousness is a state of being, not the food you eat. The two are not linked by any means. Unless, you link them in your mind. Then you and your body may be having a lot of fights trying to get the 'right' foods to work.

Michelle, when you got the message ("where is my food?"), did you change anything in that moment? Order something else? "Waiter, get me a basket of rolls and some butter, stat!"

[escapee]

The Hindu Business Line : A secret the Himalayas hold


Music and dance are a way of life for them. Both men and women wear colourful costume, decorating their hair with flowers, and are full of joi de vivre. They live in harmony with nature, and are cheerful and stress-free despite living in small rock shelters. They trek long distances.

Almond, apricot and walnut form part of the diet along with endless cups of black tea fortified with barley flour.

The weather in September is pleasantly cold, though temperatures in January can plummet to -20 degrees Celsius. There are an unusually large number of Aryans above 70 years. Many are active even at 90.

Their striking features include blue eyes, aristocratic noses, fair complexion and flawless skin. They appear ethnically distinct from Ladakhis or Kashmiris. They do not marry outsiders and restrict their contact with the outside world, seemingly happy in their isolated existence. Married women braid their hair, which gives them a resemblance to Greeks. One of the women photographed at Dah could have easily been mistaken for a German tourist. She was blonde and had high cheekbones, rotund face and unmistakable German features.

The Aryan tribes believe in prophecies and the recording of dreams. Most of the elderly Aryans meet in the morning at the Juniper grove and discuss their dreams. One of their folk songs sung at the Bononah festival is translated as follows:

In the beginning there was water all over the earth and some of it froze. Dust settled on this patch of ice. Later, a small patch of grass appeared on the frozen patch and, soon, a juniper tree sprouted from the earth. The whole universe was created by Chag (fire), Ser (water) and Yun (earth).

[elainevdw]

Originally Posted by Michelle

Where I admit to lacking is in the veggie/fruit area. I do eat these foods as well, but perhaps not in the needed quantities? I was out to dinner tonight with my boyfriend and ordered some vegetable kebabs and pumpkin soup. Honestly, when my meal arrived, I couldn't stop thinking "Where is my food, where is my food?", and I can't admit to feeling satisfied.

I've been experimenting with vegan/vegetarian diets for the past month and a half, and if I don't eat a lot of vegetables and some fruit I feel sluggish and cloudy headed too. I do have to mix it up with stuff that does make me feel full, though -- so I eat a lot of whole wheat English muffins with peanut butter! With salads, sauteed veggies over brown rice, a few ounces of my favorite nuts, snacking veggies like baby carrots, strips of bell peppers and hummus.

So I'd focus on finding foods that make you feel full, and putting in a concsious effort to eat as many veggies (and fruit) as you can at every meal.

Another thing you want to pay attention to in addition to foods that make you feel full are foods that make you hungry. Soda (even diet) makes me hungry pretty quickly. White bread makes me hungy. Chocolate and sweets make me hungry. Junk food makes me hungry. White rice, too. (These are all high GI items, I think, too.) Peanut butter on whole wheat fills me up. Oatmeal REALLY fills me up! Coffee curbs my appetite, but I get a lot hungrier later in the day. Salad dressing a lot of the times makes me hungry, too.

Originally Posted by Michelle

I tend to be very sensitive to my environment, and am quite aware of vibrational differences in foods/people, etc. Do you think an inability to maintain vegetarianism is a direct reflection of a low state of consciousness?

No, no, no!!! Give yourself and your body some credit. Not even Ghandi and his followers could maintain a total vegan, raw diet -- they eventually had to add in goats' milk. Don't let your diet be a gateway towards self-punishment and guilt. One thing that I think is true in veg*an diets and life in general is that you have to be flexible. A militant attitude leaves no room for compassion (for yourself or others!), and isn't that the reason for veg*an diets (and life) in the first place?

[Michelle]

I can't thank you all enough for your thoughts and musings on my dilemma.

My intention through vegetarianism was to a) do something good for my body and b) do something good for the animals.

Now, I realize that strict vegetarianism is not for me. Neither is eating meat everyday. It seems to be a question of balance, and choosing my foods responsibly.

This was a great opportunity to learn about myself and my body, and for that I am thankful.

Dharma, my boyfriend was kind enough to give me a bite of his filet of beef. :-)

[ChefSalad]

B12 can also be gotten from Vegemite/Marmite. While it's somewhat expensive and hard-to-find in the US, it is quite tasty and loaded with B-vitamins (especially B12). It's very common in Australia and the UK. I'm quite sure it's vegan because it's made from dead brewer's yeast (the actual waste yeast from beer production), although they might have some kind of dairy in it, although I doubt it. Correct me if I'm wrong. Others might not like it because it's heavy in salt and has other additives that people seem to hate.

Never fear, however, as you can make a Vegemite type spread at home if you want. Just brew up some beer (use a kit for your first time; it's actually very fun), and save the dead yeast that falls to the bottom after primary fermentation. Dry that yeast/beer mixture in an open oven until a paste is formed (or reduce in a pan over low heat). Add salt and seasonings to taste (you'll need quite a bit of salt to get a Vegemite taste, like 25% or more). Afterward, mix with butter (or whatever you use elsewise) and spread on toast.

[JoaquinFox]

Troubleshooting if your diet is the cause of your lack of energy:

Are you drinking enough water?
Are you eating a variety of foods: different colors, grains, beans, veggies, fruits? as a new vegetarian you should normally hear about and try at least 6 different foods you haven't heard of before.
And to be on the safe side be sure your supplimenting B12 and the like.

Check out: Vegan Health.org : Home

If none of these address your lack of energy are you sure it's related to your diet? Getting enough sleep?

If that doesn't address the issue see a doctor or natureopath.

[andyspinks]

I was a vegetarian for 5 years, from when I was 20 - 25. During this time I had periods where I felt listless and emotionally drained, especially when I was stressed or working long hours. I'd attribute at least some of this to my diet.

When I was 25 I went to live in China for a year and before leaving I decided I would eat meat while I was there. As part of my visa application I had a bunch of health tests and it was during these tests that my doctor told me that I was low on iron. One of the reasons I decided to eat meat for the year was to see how much difference it would make.

I took iron supplements to get my levels back up and ate meat for the next year when I was in China. I can't say I noticed a huge difference in my energy levels while I was eating meat again.

I got back home again (Australia) and immediately returned to a vegetarian diet (sorry, but all the pig, cow, chicken, dog, donkey, frog, fox and intestines that I ate while there can't convince me that meat actually tastes nice), but this time I did a lot of research and really broadened my horizons on the types of foods I make / eat. This time I can definitely say that I have more energy than ever before and as an added bonus I haven't been sick for over 14 months.

I've changed other parts of my lifestyle too which may have had an effect, like riding and practicing yoga everyday (I hadn't done any consistent exercise since I was about 17), but I think a lot of it comes down to having a diverse and informed diet.

There is a reason that vegetarians / vegans have stigmas about not getting enough energy, being low in protein, iron and other things. For most people it is a big change in diet and as such you need to go into it well informed. I don't think its enough to just take your old diet and stick some tofu in as a substitute for the meat you have to have. I think you should take the time to design a diet and make sure you're covering your bases each week. You can also use it as an opportunity to branch out into other foods / ingredients that you may not have ever tasted or even heard of before - you'll be amazed at the options out there.

About 2 months ago I made the move to being a vegan which apart from a few minor errors hasn't been too difficult at all. With the change in diet I've started to eat things like amaranth, quinoa and other things I'd never heard of before. Take a broader look at your diet and do your reading on how to eat a balanced vegetarian diet. I think it will really make a difference.

Andy.

[jfalconer]

You're right, Vegemite is vegan. Funnily enough I checked just a day or two ago. Though it sounds funny to hear that it's hard to find in the US; here in Australia we've got a whole aisle of the grocery store dedicated to it.

Well, while that's not quite true there are three jars of it in our cupboard.

[DKSprocket]

Originally Posted by Michelle

My diet consists of many whole organic foods which are supposed to be energy givers (for long hours standing on stage) like brown rice, polenta, whole wheat pasta. I am a big fan of beans and lentils. I eat dairy but do not drink milk.

Where I admit to lacking is in the veggie/fruit area. I do eat these foods as well, but perhaps not in the needed quantities? I was out to dinner tonight with my boyfriend and ordered some vegetable kebabs and pumpkin soup. Honestly, when my meal arrived, I couldn't stop thinking "Where is my food, where is my food?", and I can't admit to feeling satisfied.

It sounds to me like your energy problem might come from eating a lot of cooked carbs (rice, pasta, beans etc). Your choice is definately better than white rice and generic pasta, but maybe you could benefit from adding more raw vegetables to your diet as well (most fruit are pretty "fast" carbs as well, so they might be adding to the sluggishness)

I am eating mostly raw now (at least when I am at home). Last weekend I was visiting a friend where he cooked a nice dish where the main ingridient was cooked rice. I couldn't believe how sluggish I felt afterwards.

I've personally come to really enjoy a salad of raw vegetables - especially if I add a really filling dressing (I often use humus mixed with olive oil, lemon and chili).

Rasmus

[madgeylou]

you have got to eat lots of veggies. the root of your diet should be veggies and legumes and fruit, not grains.

grains travel well and keep well, but i find the more of them i eat, the fatter and more listless i get, even when i'm not eating animals at all.

when i eat most of the bulk of my food as fruit (in the morning), veggies, and legumes, though, i feel fantastic.

have you read "eat to live"? joel fuhrman really knows what he's talking about. if you can commit to 4 or 6 weeks on ETL, give it a try and see how that makes you feel.

basically, the more green stuff you can get into you, the better you will feel.

i say this as someone who lost 50 lbs on atkins 2 years ago. i lost a lot of weight but didnt feel that good, never pooped (TMI sorry), and would often get dizzy from low blood sugar. however, the fact that atkins worked for me tells me that fewer grains are better for me. maybe the same is true for you?

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Michelle

My diet consists of many whole organic foods which are supposed to be energy givers (for long hours standing on stage) like brown rice, polenta, whole wheat pasta. I am a big fan of beans and lentils. I eat dairy but do not drink milk.

Michelle,
Even though you eat beans and lentils... are you eating enough total protein? People need around 45gm of protein per day. While the average US diet consists of *way more* than 45gm, if you aren't paying attention to you protein intake, you might be coming in low.

Do you ever get the feeling that your diet is too carb-heavy? (I'm not talking anti-Atkins here; I'm talking a diet that consists of 60% to 80% high glycemic index carbs.) A diet that's high in processed carbohydrate can lead to reactive hypoglycemia (that's where you get a "sugar high" ... then your blood glucose crashes when your pancreas dumps insulin, and you end up feeling weak and shakey). Carb-heavy diets can also deplete vitamin