Hello

[Treenuts]

Hi,
I'm new to being a vegetarian. My wife and I had been gravitating toward it for a while and we have now made the change. Started two weeks ago, but ate a bit of meat to finish off what we already had in the freezer. Been fully veggie for one week. Looking forward to getting some advice from this forum.

 

[PTree15]

Hi, Treenuts, and welcome to VV! Congrats on you and yours going veggie.

 

[thefadedone]

Welcome Treenuts!

 

[shyvas]

to our forum Treenuts.

 

[Amy SF]

to Veggie Views and congrats on going veggie! If you have any questions about being vegetarian, please don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Second Summer]

Welcome, and congratulations on the change of diet! Well done! Please do feel free to ask us anything, we're happy to try and help.

 

[Clueless Git]

Hello

 

[Moll Flanders]

Hello and

 

[beancounter]

Welcome to VV!

 

[Treenuts]

Need some advice. About a couple of weeks after becoming vegetarian, I started getting dizzy spells. I thought it might be my body "detoxing" but the dizzy spells haven't gone away. I have naturally low blood pressure and I read that vegetarians have lower blood pressure than the average person. I can't stand to have even lower blood pressure than I already have or I'll pass out left and right. I think my wife and I have done a pretty good job of getting enough protein and fats through legumes, avocado, etc. so I was having trouble figuring out what might be missing in our diet to cause this reaction of mine. A friend of mine, also with low blood pressure, said she had the same problem when she was doing an eat-clean diet. Her doctor told her it was due to the drop in sodium intake as a result of her new diet. I have a feeling this might be the same for me. How do I up my sodium intake without reverting to meat or processed foods? Has anyone else had this problem after becoming vegetarian/vegan? I'll see my doctor soon for sure, but I'd like to try and solve this problem on my own in the meantime too. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[thefadedone]

Need some advice. About a couple of weeks after becoming vegetarian, I started getting dizzy spells. I thought it might be my body "detoxing" but the dizzy spells haven't gone away. I have naturally low blood pressure and I read that vegetarians have lower blood pressure than the average person. I can't stand to have even lower blood pressure than I already have or I'll pass out left and right. I think my wife and I have done a pretty good job of getting enough protein and fats through legumes, avocado, etc. so I was having trouble figuring out what might be missing in our diet to cause this reaction of mine. A friend of mine, also with low blood pressure, said she had the same problem when she was doing an eat-clean diet. Her doctor told her it was due to the drop in sodium intake as a result of her new diet. I have a feeling this might be the same for me. How do I up my sodium intake without reverting to meat or processed foods? Has anyone else had this problem after becoming vegetarian/vegan? I'll see my doctor soon for sure, but I'd like to try and solve this problem on my own in the meantime too. Any advice is appreciated.

Low sodium levels will definitely make you feel lightheaded and like passing out. However, it could also be due to other things. It's good that you are going to the doctor. The sooner the better. Make sure you get a full blood work panel done. It could be something non diet related also, especially since it's only been two weeks since you've been vegetarian. But if you feel like you need to raise your sodium levels then try adding extra salt to your meals.

 

[shyvas]

Need some advice. About a couple of weeks after becoming vegetarian, I started getting dizzy spells. I thought it might be my body "detoxing" but the dizzy spells haven't gone away. I have naturally low blood pressure and I read that vegetarians have lower blood pressure than the average person. I can't stand to have even lower blood pressure than I already have or I'll pass out left and right. I think my wife and I have done a pretty good job of getting enough protein and fats through legumes, avocado, etc. so I was having trouble figuring out what might be missing in our diet to cause this reaction of mine. A friend of mine, also with low blood pressure, said she had the same problem when she was doing an eat-clean diet. Her doctor told her it was due to the drop in sodium intake as a result of her new diet. I have a feeling this might be the same for me. How do I up my sodium intake without reverting to meat or processed foods? Has anyone else had this problem after becoming vegetarian/vegan? I'll see my doctor soon for sure, but I'd like to try and solve this problem on my own in the meantime too. Any advice is appreciated.

I would check it out with your doctor as two weeks is a long time to feel unwell. There are so many causes that give dizzy spells and low blood pressure is one of them.

Are you sure that you're getting enough calories and protein ? Could you give us an example of a typical day's meal?

Prehaps it would be a good idea that you post this in the Vegetarian forum. You may receive more replies as it is a support forum for vegetarians.

 

[Treenuts]

Thanks for your feedback. I thought this was the vegetarian forum.

 

[Second Summer]

Sorry to hear you're unwell, Treenuts.

Thanks for your feedback. I thought this was the vegetarian forum.

Indeed it is. Maybe what shyvas meant to say was that you may want to start a new thread, as this one started out as an introduction type of thread. If you start a new thread with a subject line indicating the health issue, then maybe more people will chime in.

 

[shyvas]

Sorry to hear you're unwell, Treenuts.

Indeed it is. Maybe what shyvas meant to say was that you may want to start a new thread, as this one started out as an introduction type of thread. If you start a new thread with a subject line indicating the health issue, then maybe more people will chime in.

Haha you beat me to it.

 

[Treenuts]

Extra salt in my diet and gatorade, instead of just water, for hydration and I think it's doing the trick.

 

[shyvas]

Extra salt in my diet and gatorade, instead of just water, for hydration and I think it's doing the trick.

I'm pleased to hear that you feel better.