A lot is being said and written these days in support of vegetarian diets. While a meat-less diet can really have amazing results on one's health as well as the planet, it too has some downsides. It is important to bear in mind that each one is different and has different food requirements.
It is recommended that everyone should take a balanced diet comprising enough of fruits and vegetables as well as the right type of animal protein, Authority Nutrition reported.
Some of the downsides of taking a vegetarian diet are as below:
Anxiety
Findings of a study conducted in 2012 to evaluate the mental health of more than 240 vegetarians and 240 meat eaters found that people who did not consume animal protein suffered from a distinctly elevated rate of psychological issues.
It was found that 31 percent of vegetarians suffered from anxiety disorder, compared to only 13 percent people who consumed animal protein. It is believed that deficiency of certain nutrients is responsible for increased anxiety disorders, Cosmopolitan stated.
Anemia
Most of the iron in our diet is sourced from animal proteins, which facilitates the blood to carry nutrients to all parts of our body. Deficit of iron may result in anemia. This condition is associated with exhaustion, increased heartbeat, and makes one gasp for breath while climbing stairs. While many vegetarians suffer from anemia, they can overcome this problem by increasing intake of green leafy vegetables, nuts, and chocolate as well as soy products.
Vitamin D Deficiency
While it is possible to obtain vitamin D from plant sources as well as supplements, animal protein forms the main source of this nutrient, especially vitamin D3. It is important for vegetarians to increase their calcium intake, as low levels of vitamin D may lead to fragile bones. Moreover, many vegetarians are found to be deficient in calcium.
Depression
Studies have shown that vegetarians suffer more from depression. Compared to 10 percent people who consume animal protein, 24 percent vegetarians are depressed. According to researchers, this may be due to deficiency of vitamin B12, which is associated with depression, in vegetarians.
Eating Disorders
It has been found that vegetarians are more susceptible to eating disorders compared to non-vegetarians. Compared to just 0.8 percent animal protein eaters, about 4 percent vegetarians suffer from eating disorders, a study found.
Zinc Deficit
Some of the highest dietary sources of zinc include beef and lamb, so people who do not consume these meats are usually deficient in this essential mineral, which is responsible for a robust immune system. However, vegetarians are lucky that sunflower seed is the third largest source of zinc, so it is essential that they ensure that their diet includes enough of these seeds.
While all vegetarians do not suffer from the above mentioned health issues, it is important for such people to ensure that they incorporate healthy options from plant sources to make up for the deficiencies of a vegetarian diet.
