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Vegan

Join Mumsnet's vegan community and discuss everything related to the vegan diet.

Original poster

Feel shit

94 replies

Chugalug · 12/02/2018 16:41

Vegetarian 30 yrs ,vegan 3 yrs...very poor diet...I'm a poor excuse of a vegan..I feel physically and mentally shit..before I head to the doctors for anti depressants,could it be my shit diet ? And if so what do vegans need vitamin wise? Or supplement wise...what do you take?

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Happy50 · 12/02/2018 20:16

Get tested for vitamin B12 - google it. It is not present in a vegan diet
I wasn't vegan but was vitamin B12 deficient due to other reasons and had injections .
I felt so bad but I felt brilliant after

Happy50 · 12/02/2018 20:17

It is really important and lead to long term damage unless you get it sorted
May not be that at all but always work checking it
Have a look at Happy Pear videos on u tube
Irish vegan cooks who have really fast and healthy vegan meals

Passthecake30 · 12/02/2018 20:17

Also vitamin D, which is in dairy and the sun.... I guess both of which you could be lacking if you're in the U.K.?

Happy50 · 12/02/2018 20:18

B12 deficiency can mimic depression, make you feel exhausted etc

Bubblysqueak · 12/02/2018 20:18

I would ask for a blood test. You may be low in iron and b12. Both will make you feel shit and exhausted.

MyBrilliantDisguise · 12/02/2018 20:20

My daughter's been vegetarian for twenty years and became vegan for a while - I noticed she was eating a lot more rubbish (she was very, very bored with vegan choices and started to find vegan cakes etc that she would never have eaten before.) At the same time she looked less healthy and had a lot less energy. She gave it up and became a vegetarian again and has perked up considerably.

mrbob · 13/02/2018 01:18

I agree you need to supplement with B12 and possibly iron but have you got an idea WHY you have a poor diet? What are the barriers to you having a good vegan diet? I know it takes a lot more prep because you can't just grab stuff on the go quite as easily but what is the thing in the way of you doing that?

dangermouseisace · 13/02/2018 18:50

The trouble with feeling like shit is that with food it becomes a chicken and egg scenario- do you feel crap cos you eat crap or do you eat crap cos you feel crap? Whichever came first becomes irrelevant after a while though, as one leads to the other and it's easy to get stuck in a rut.

I've just started to take the vegan society's VEG 1 supplement as that is meant to focus on the specific needs of vegans, and was recommended to me by an NHS dietician.

Like you I was feeling crap- got bloods tested but wasn't deficient in anything I was just depressed. It's easier to eat better when you feel less bleurgh I've discovered.

are you one of the old school type vegans who eat soya, wheat and aren't obsessed with coconuts and medjool dates or one of the deliciously ella type?

dangermouseisace · 13/02/2018 18:52

...just asking cos I can see how the deliciously Ella type could lead to deficiencies/is difficult to maintain (no one flame me please, dietician was in agreement with this Grin)

Original poster
Chugalug · 13/02/2018 20:04

Omg ..all the replies 😁..didn't check as I didn't expect anyone to help...do I just ask the doctor to test for vitamin deficiency,or can I do it somewhere else? ..I did have some done a while back for chrones and pottasium..but don't know if they tested for b12

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Original poster
Chugalug · 13/02/2018 20:09

I really miss chocolate,I stopped enjoying my food when I went vegan..I've a family to feed,and can't afford lots of fruit that I would like..I try to eat veg ..but often end up on crisps ,bread,vegan chesse and salad..I put on a fair bit of weight going vegan ,just coz I end up with bread / carbs / crap at most meals..I've 6 people to feed,soon be 7. And I cook what I know they will eat,then can't be bothered to cook for me,so have toast / sandwich/ crisps for dinner

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Original poster
Chugalug · 13/02/2018 20:13

I've spent over 20 yrs trying one anti depressant after another...none of them made a difference so I'm not keen to try any again..they had me on the hard stuff last time where I was disoriented in the night and couldn't drive in the morning 😪..so really want to avoid the gp if possible

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OldBlueStitches · 13/02/2018 20:18

I was vegan for a year and my B12 was low. Also Vit D. Also iron. I was feeling low and a bit lethargic. I also didn't eat particularly healthily in terms of variety.

First up go to GP, tell them you're vegan and how you're feeling. You can either wait for them to suggest tests or just ask yourself directly. Definitely, definitely do this first.

I am vegetarian now. If I had a personal chef I'd be vegan, but I just can't do it all. I eat cheese but drink oat milk and use soy or coconut yoghurt. I mix it up between butter and soy or olive spreads.

Instead of all or nothing, I look at the vegan thing as "every little helps".

Original poster
Chugalug · 13/02/2018 20:22

Thanks blue,I was kind of thinking I was going to have to do that...big girl pants and all that...god I hate going to the gp nearly as much as the dentist.....is there a recommendation for the best vitamins / strongest / if the gp says he tested me for it last time ( I had blood tests ,can't remember what for ) if gp won't do any again,what's the strongest b12 on the market

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Original poster
Chugalug · 13/02/2018 20:27

I can't go back to being vegetarian,any more than I could go back to eating meat...I just can't ,I'd vomit ,a number of friends have said my health has gone down hill since I went vegan...but tbh,it was shit as a vegi too.going vegan just meant I stopped eating chocolate,I already didn't ever eat eggs or ever have moo milk

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Happy50 · 13/02/2018 21:36

Have a look at Happy Pear website
Really good quick recipes based on fruit, veg, rice
They do u tube videos which give meal prep for under 25 euro a week
Have to cook the weekend and they very little in the week
You can have a vitamin B12 spray that goes straight into the blood system
I would take vegan society's VEG 1 supplement recommended above plus the b12 spray.
Do you cook meat for the rest of the family or do they eat veggie.

Original poster
Chugalug · 13/02/2018 22:00

No.no meat.only the dog eats meat..3 are vegan ,3 are vegi...

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Original poster
Chugalug · 13/02/2018 22:07

I find the whole 'vegan things you must eat 'so overwhelming ..knowing that different foods provide different things you must have if your vegan..I just got in a muddle..probably need to go back to basics and start as if a new vegan..my kids all have holland and Barrett vegan multi vit...I shall start taking it too

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Wallywobbles · 13/02/2018 22:07

There's a book called the Vegetarian Myth I think. Interesting read talks about the impact of the diet on your physical and mental well-being . Try it.

Original poster
Chugalug · 13/02/2018 22:10

I will have a look wally thankyou

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Original poster
Chugalug · 13/02/2018 22:20

Yeah...that books not for me...I already eat enough shit/ crap,food without adding meat to it.. not gonna happen

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Wallywobbles · 14/02/2018 10:01

Yup I see that but it is an interesting read. I didn't read it cover to cover but she was so ill so the start of it is very interesting. I suggest it not to be goady but as a point of comparison with how you are feeling physically/mentally.

LoniceraJaponica · 14/02/2018 10:28

Why no chocolate? You can buy vegan plain chocolate, and IMO plain chocolate tastes nicer than milk chocolate anyway.

Also, I don't understand why you would put your principles above your health and well being. If you have Facebook Bosh do some fantastic, and not too time consuming recipes. They are really inspirational and delicious.

Original poster
Chugalug · 14/02/2018 10:36

Ok wally...I see.i get so fed up of people telling me ,vegan isn't for me ,blah blah blah...thought you were doing the same..

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Original poster
Chugalug · 14/02/2018 10:39

Lonicer,I don't think my diet would be any better if I was vegi...it's me that's the problem not the vegan bit...I was a bad example of a vegi too.....the only fat vegan in town 😥...I've found some vitamin sprays that you squirt in yr mouth,multi,d3 , and b12. They should help .

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