Hi everyone,
I have been thinking about something for the past week or so... I have been vegan for about 5 1/2 weeks, but I was a vegetarian for about 12 years before that. Last week, I had a yearly wellness check at the doctor, and it turned out that I am very deficient in vitamin D. So, I started thinking about the way I am eating, and I have tracked some of my recent days into the cronometer site I have seen mentioned here. In general, I have fallen short on protein, vitamin 12, vitamin d, and calcium. I think some fortified soy milk will help- it did today when I added some in. Oh, the other piece is that I need to lose some weight, so I am trying not to eat too much. Anyway, when I eat a typical amount, I am probably closer to achieving all nutrient levels in my diet. But, now I am consistently falling short.
The other thing is, how much should I focus on getting all these nutrients and how much should I just eat intuitively/"normally?" I had been having dessert almost everyday, but I am cutting back because it provides calories but barely (if any) nutrition. I really want to be able to go about my day, eating as feels good to me, but I don't know if I should be focusing at every meal on nutrients?
I have looked at meal plans for vegans, but I am not sure if they have the needed nutrients. I was hoping for some guidance from other vegans on this site on how to get enough nutrients without being obsessive?
I am sorry if this is obvious to other people. It's really not obvious to me. After having anorexia for a long time, I re-learned how to eat intuitively. Then a med change led to massive weight gain. Now my weight is slowing declining again (in a healthy way). But, my point is that intuitive eating has not always been my forte.
Also, I am not trying to be down on a vegan diet. I know meaty diets could have the potential for fewer vitamins. I think I just noticed the shortages because I happened to have my blood drawn for my appointment. I am not blaming my blood work on veganism. I like being vegan. I just need to work on how to be a bit healthier about it.
I have been thinking about something for the past week or so... I have been vegan for about 5 1/2 weeks, but I was a vegetarian for about 12 years before that. Last week, I had a yearly wellness check at the doctor, and it turned out that I am very deficient in vitamin D. So, I started thinking about the way I am eating, and I have tracked some of my recent days into the cronometer site I have seen mentioned here. In general, I have fallen short on protein, vitamin 12, vitamin d, and calcium. I think some fortified soy milk will help- it did today when I added some in. Oh, the other piece is that I need to lose some weight, so I am trying not to eat too much. Anyway, when I eat a typical amount, I am probably closer to achieving all nutrient levels in my diet. But, now I am consistently falling short.
The other thing is, how much should I focus on getting all these nutrients and how much should I just eat intuitively/"normally?" I had been having dessert almost everyday, but I am cutting back because it provides calories but barely (if any) nutrition. I really want to be able to go about my day, eating as feels good to me, but I don't know if I should be focusing at every meal on nutrients?
I have looked at meal plans for vegans, but I am not sure if they have the needed nutrients. I was hoping for some guidance from other vegans on this site on how to get enough nutrients without being obsessive?
I am sorry if this is obvious to other people. It's really not obvious to me. After having anorexia for a long time, I re-learned how to eat intuitively. Then a med change led to massive weight gain. Now my weight is slowing declining again (in a healthy way). But, my point is that intuitive eating has not always been my forte.
Also, I am not trying to be down on a vegan diet. I know meaty diets could have the potential for fewer vitamins. I think I just noticed the shortages because I happened to have my blood drawn for my appointment. I am not blaming my blood work on veganism. I like being vegan. I just need to work on how to be a bit healthier about it.