Veganism has never been so centrally placed in the mainstream media, not to mention the public consciousness, as right now.
There is a plethora of possible reasons, which could well include a combination of more than a couple, why a person chooses to go vegan. Following on from that, here is how to make sure you are getting the right vitamins and minerals as a vegan.
Expand Your Horizons
Especially when a person first goes vegan, they may well tend to stick to ingredients and meals that they are sure do not contain any trace of animal product, and even though it is possible they are still fulfilling their dietary needs, there is a larger world of vegan food to experience.
Ask around for recommendations of renowned and established vegan restaurants in Costa Mesa, treat yourself to some trending vegan cookbooks, and generally work to expand your horizons when it comes to what you imagine vegan food to be.
Once you have experienced the sensory experience provided by such a restaurant, you can then start to experiment at home with different recipes and start to create your own delicious vegan meals at home.
Take Daily Supplements
Even though those people who have chosen to eat an entirely vegan diet can be as healthy, and arguably even healthier, than those who eat meat, it is still recommended that you take certain vitamin supplements to ensure you are getting enough of the right things your body needs to function properly.
The seven types of supplements you should consider adding to your diet as a vegan include, in no order of importance, the following:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids are necessary for proper brain development
- Calcium which you need for strong and healthy teeth and bones
- Vitamin B12 for your central nervous system
- Iodine for your metabolism and thyroid
- Zinc to boost your immune system
- Iron for your blood, heart, and metabolism
- Vitamin D for your small and large intestine
It is also important to remember that supplements can never and will never take the place of natural sources of vitamins and minerals.
Eat Foods Containing High Levels of Vitamin A
Vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike all need to eat a varied and balanced diet and one crucial vitamin is Vitamin A.
However, meat, eggs, and dairy products all contain high levels of Vitamin A and so the latter group can be fairly sure they are always consuming enough. Vegans, however, need to make a special effort to concentrate on consuming foods which are naturally high in Vitamin A, and what is more, ensuring they are getting the vitamin into their system from a variety of different sources.
With every main meal, there should be a combination of such vegetables as carrots, kale, butternut squash, and red peppers, as well as one or more portions of spinach and sweet potatoes. Tomatoes are also a fantastic source of Vitamin A, as well as cantaloupe.
