What most people don't know about vegetarianism and veganism...

and mental health. 

After years of feeling worn out, exhausted, overwhelmed, and walking around with no energy, I knew something had to give. 

I started to become more and more aware of symptoms in my body: bloating, cramping, pain. I quickly realized the way I felt was directly related to the food I was eating — animal meat specifically. Every time I ate beef, pork, and poultry, I would get sick. So I stopped eating animal meat for 5 years. Vegetarianism became a new way of life for me, for 5 years. 

Did I feel better? Well, kind of. My cramps, pain, and bloating went away... but I continued to feel worn out, exhausted, and overwhelmed. 

When I encountered other vegetarians, they excitedly told me about all the ways they felt better, more energized, more mentally clear and sharp.... 

“Me too!” I would say… but the truth is, I didn’t feel all of those things. 

When I became a Dietitian and dove into the nitty gritty of food and how it affects our bodies and our brains I realized something critical to my vegetarian lifestyle. 

I hadn’t known it up until that moment, but foregoing animal products meant missing out on critical nutrients that help our bodies and our brains — B vitamins and essential fatty acids. 

Since that day I began modifying my diet to include grass-fed, locally grown, organic animal products high in B vitamins. No symptoms and after some time, I felt stronger, lighter. I had less brain fog, more mental & physical energy, and eventually more confidence. 

I sometimes get “made fun of” for spending extra money on and eating grass-fed, locally raised beef and organic eggs and poultry...

but I have realized this simple truth: what I put in my body affects my gut and undoubtedly affects my mind. 

Tell me, have you ever recognized body or brain responses surrounding what you eat?