Making the switch to a vegan diet can be challenging at first. It’s important to do your research, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist, and make a plan to ensure you are still getting all the nutrients your body needs for optimal functioning. You don’t necessarily need a professional to create a personalized meal plan, but you definitely need to plan ahead to be sure you include everything your body needs. If you’re ready to take the leap, there are some important things you should include in your planning.
Fiber Content
Since a vegan diet means eliminating all animal products from your diet, you will naturally be eating a lot more fruits, vegetables and other foods with high fiber content. Your body is probably not used to such a large amount of fiber and a sudden and dramatic change can severely irritate your digestive system. It is a good idea to make gradual changes and slowly add more fiber into your diet until you have reached the desired amount.
Vitamin Supplements
While a lot of vitamins and minerals can be found in foods, it can still be difficult to get the recommended daily amount, regardless of your diet. Certain vitamins, like iron and B12, are more abundant or more easily absorbed into the body when they come from meat, so even if you are getting essential vitamins elsewhere, it may be a good idea to add vitamin supplements. If you’re having trouble meeting your daily needs of vitamin, there is a number of very convenient all-in-one sport nutrition subscription boxes which will cover all of your daily needs.
Vegan Collagen
Did you know your diet can also affect your skin? Healthy skin requires a good intake of collagen, which happens to be a protein. Collagen helps strengthen our bones and joints and keep our skin looking young. It fights wrinkles by keeping skin tight and maintaining elasticity. Fortunately, you can still maintain a vegan diet and get enough collagen for a gorgeous complexion.
Amino acids, the building blocks of collagen, are held together by Vitamin C. Getting a generous amount of Vitamin C in your diet can help with the absorption and utilization of collagen and contribute to great-looking skin.
A fantastic skin-care option containing vegan collagen is the Sea Berry Therapy line from SIBU. According to their article about the vegan collagen dilemma, Sea Berry, or Sea Buckthorn, contains ten times the amount of Vitamin C as oranges and is a plant-based method for stimulating the body’s natural collagen production.
Water
Our bodies are made up largely of water, which is why it is vital to our nutrition. Water can help with a healthy digestive system, increase energy, aid in vitamin absorption, and contribute to healthy skin. So along with watching your fiber, taking your vitamins, and improving your skin-care regimen, make sure you are drinking at least eight glasses a day.