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So you’ve decided that you want to go vegetarian. Awesome! There’s a lot of evidence that going vegetarian or vegan is better for our health. If you’re going vegetarian, there are a lot of things that may happen to you, and it’s useful to know the signs. Here’s a guide to making your transition to vegetarian that much easier.
You might bloat. When you’re loading up on healthy veggies and cutting out your meats, your body needs to get used to the change in fuel. So even though it may seem like your plant-based diet is bloating you, your intestinal tract will adapt soon enough.
You might lose weight. Cutting meat from your diet has been shown to drop around 7.5 pounds from the average vegetarian. So even if weight loss isn’t your goal, you may lose some anyway!
You may get more sore after your workout. Because you no longer have access to those easy, whole proteins, you’re making up for it with plant proteins, which take a little longer for your muscles to use. For your post-workout protein, try a smoothie filled with protein sources like yogurt, flaxseeds, and peanut butter.
If you’re worried, you may have to supplement. If you have a perfect vegetarian diet, you probably won’t have a problem getting all the nutrients you need, including the protein and iron that so many people are worried about. But if you’re afraid you may be lacking, talk to your doctor about whether or not you should get some supplements.
You’ll probably be at lower risk for heart disease. Someone eating a plant-based diet has been shown to be at a 24 percent lower risk of heart disease. They’re proven to be anti-inflammatory diets that will keep your heart healthy.
So congratulations! You’re on your way to being healthier and happier!
Why did you go vegetarian?
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