Vegetarian and vegan diets are nothing new, but now that we face meat shortages and COVID-19 sheds a bright light on the vulnerabilities and troubles of the commercial meat supply chain of the country, more and more people are consuming or at least thinking about less meat these days.

You read about all the environmental benefits that being vegan provides and all the health risks that you cut out on ... so how does it really affect your body?

You can get deficiencies in micronutrients

Turning vegan involves cutting all the beef from your diet and also other animal products. This may cause micronutrients such as B12, iron, and calcium that are mostly present in meat to be deficient. This lack of vital nutrients can induce exhaustion and the sensation of tiredness. Although you can also get these nutrients from plant-based items, in order to fulfill your everyday needs, you may need to rely on supplements.

Foods can taste different

Zinc tends to balance the sense of smell and taste, so the body's shortage of zinc can affect how things smell or taste. Since zinc is mainly present in poultry and red meat, you might also be deficient in this micronutrient if you go vegan. You have to include zinc supplements in your diet if you experience any change in your scent or taste.

You may be gaining weight

Being vegan, as in any other diet, still means you can fall victim to certain bad habits. So the key is to keep yourself on the right road and to eat mindfully. Going vegan can help you lose weight, but if your diet is not well balanced, it also causes weight gain.

Might cause gastrointestinal disorders

It may take some time for your system to adapt to the adjustment because you are making a sudden change in your diet. In turn, this can trigger several gastrointestinal disturbances. These disruptions will get better over time, so if you intend to go vegan, this is something you need to brace for.

As long as you ensure that you consume a nutritious diet with ample essential nutrients, you will reap all the health advantages that come with veganism and will most likely live a healthier life year after year.

It can be an overwhelming choice to go vegan, and that is understandable. Knowing all the benefits not only to the environment but also to your body will help encourage you to take the first step in your road to health.