Written by Menswear Style in Health & Fitness on the 10th March 2021

When it comes to eating a plant-based diet, there are plenty of advantages and benefits to doing so. Because these types of foods are normally much lower in calories, it is easier to lose weight. Along with that, some foods and meats are carcinogens, meaning there is a higher risk of cancer and other diseases associated with them. Therefore, making the switch to a plant-based diet can overall be a good thing. However, that is not to say there are some disadvantages and challenges that you are going to face. Before you start the diet, it is important that you understand what you are getting into and how you can ensure that your body stays healthy throughout all of it. Here are some challenges to consider when eating a plant-based diet.

Take Supplements and Vitamins For Any Deficiencies

If you are giving up meat, you are going to be losing a large source of iron along with some healthy fats. You are going to have to find a way to make up for that with your plant-based diet. Things like avocado are great for natural fats and spinach is a great source of iron. That being said, what happens if you don’t like to eat those two foods? You don’t have to worry because there are vegan based supplements such as the vegan omega-3 supplements from Omvits that will help to give you the nutrients and minerals that you are missing. This will ensure that your body is getting everything that it needs throughout the day in order to be healthy. Even if you think you are getting all the recommended vitamins and minerals through your diet, it is still wise to take vitamins and supplements. These will help to strengthen your body and ensure you are getting what you need. If you are in pain or your body is aching, it might be a sign that the diet is not right for you. Ensure that you are getting the proper nutrition each and every day by taking some supplements.

Fatigue 

One of the biggest things people note when switching over to a plant-based diet is that they don’t have enough energy throughout the day. The first thing you are going to have to do to fix that is make sure that you are getting enough sleep and that you are hydrated. If you still notice an issue, you are probably lacking in protein. While carbohydrates are great, they are only useful for short-term energy. Protein is what you are looking for if you want to be active throughout the day. The downside of plant-based diets however is that there is not much protein involved. As mentioned above, you should be looking towards foods such as lentils and spinach to help you out. By eating these in large amounts, you will be able to get the energy you need to last you throughout the whole day. 

Hair Loss 

Yes, you read that correctly. Hair loss is a complication that is associated with plant-based diets that not many people know about. Once again, this is due to a lack of minerals, proteins, and omega 3 fatty acids. You should look to add these important nutrients into your life whenever possible. Check the nutrition info of any plants or food that you are going to eat to ensure that you are getting what you need. If you do notice you have hair loss, you should also be going to the doctor to get it checked out. There might be other underlying issues at play here as well. If you are able to get the required nutrients, you will notice your hair regrowing and returning to its former glory.

More Gas and Bloating 

Gas is a natural part of the human body and it is something that you are going to have to embrace. If you are practising a diet that contains a lot of plants and is high in fiber, you are going to be getting a lot of gas. A great way to avoid this is by soaking your food beforehand. This will help to eliminate the fermentable fibres that are on these foods. Not only will you find yourself having more gas, but you might also notice yourself getting bloated from time to time. This is not always due to eating too much food. If it is chronic, you might have a more serious condition, but other than that, it will pass. 

Cravings 

The hardest thing about any diet is that you are going to be getting intense cravings, especially at the beginning of the diet. Cravings are generally caused when your body is lacking a nutrient or you aren’t getting that fill of sugar you have been so used to. If you have been one to consume added sugars, your taste buds actually get distorted by the amount of sweetness. Everything seems to lose a bit of taste. In the first few days, your body is not going to like some of the food you are eating and will want some of the sweet stuff you have always turned to. If you can power through these cravings, your palette will reset and you will notice a lot of foods tasting better than ever. Another way to beat cravings is to ensure that you are eating a well balanced meal. Do not just focus on one ingredient or one food, but instead try to fill your plate with as many as possible. It is the best way to beat all the cravings that you are going to be getting.

These are all challenges that you are going to encounter in your plant-based diet. That being said, if you have good perseverance and dedication, you will be able to get through it and get yourself into a new habit. There are a ton of benefits towards a plant-based diet, it is up to you however to fill in all the negatives with good life choices. What do you think is going to be the most difficult thing about switching over to this diet?

We discuss Hair Loss, Fatigue, Gas, Bloating, and Cravings in this blog post on Challenges to Consider When Eating a Plant-Based Diet.