Abstaining from meat and all animal protein? Millions of people around the world adhere to a completely vegetarian diet as part of their spiritual beliefs, or sacrifice their favourite source of protein for short periods of time in observance of fasting periods like Lent, Eid and Divali. Adopting a plant-based diet for even a short period of time can reap many benefits, including lower blood pressure and better moods. If you primarily stick to a meat-based diet however, making the switch may be rough for you in the early stages,  especially if you make this common mistake. Never fear, we’re here to get you on your way!

Avoid sugar spikes

During the first days or weeks of your new eating habits, you may experience significant fatigue. This is because most “newbie” vegetarians completely eliminate all protein from their diet, and overcompensate with a higher amount of carbs. All carbs, all the time, will cause blood sugar spikes followed by intense crashes, a common danger for first-time “veggies”. We all know that protein is the main building block of muscle, but it also produces important enzymes in the body as well as manages cravings. To combat feelings of fatigue, we recommend taking a daily Jamieson B Complex 100mg supplement. If you’re feeling plagued with thoughts of hunger, this supplement will ease the stress on your nerves and provide the energy you need to get through the day and stay true to your commitment. Jamieson’s B Complex 100mg is a vegetarian supplement made of every B Vitamin that your body needs and is a time release formula which means that the benefits are spread throughout the body on an hourly basis instead of the quick ‘crash and burn’ energy boost you may get from a sugary drink.

Balance out your meals with plant-based sources of protein. Nowadays, it’s perfectly OK to be vegetarian and hate soy. Mushrooms, broccoli, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains provide rich and tasty sources of protein that will slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in your bloodstream, which will also contribute to a more consistent release of energy throughout the day and night.

Interested in learning more about how to eat vegetarian? Read our “Essential Nutrition For Vegetarians” blog to learn the dangers of becoming a “carbotarian”!

Hungry for more? Read all our Health and Wellness tips!