Shocking Ways Being a Vegetarian Can Change Your Body and Mind

If you’ve ever considered going vegetarian, you’ve probably done your research. And you may have heard that eliminating meat from your diet can save you money, boost your energy, and even help the environment. But the truth is, both your body and mind might change in ways that may surprise you.

You may become anemic 

Animal proteins are a top source of iron, so it’s easy to become anemic when you give up meat. This is a common problem for vegetarians, but you can keep your iron intake up by eating plenty of leafy greens and nuts and taking supplements.

You might bloat at first 

You’ve probably heard that going vegetarian can improve your digestion, but for some, it’s a lengthy process. All the indigestible carbohydrates in plant protein sources and other plant-based foods can alter the bacterial profile in your intestines, causing you to bloat. But don’t worry, it’s temporary, and the new bacteria is healthy.

Your tastes might change … literally 

After you’ve made the switch to meatless, you could very well notice that you don’t taste food like you used to. This is due to a decrease in zinc, which is most plentiful in oysters and red meat and happens to be crucial for taste and hearing. Vegetarians may actually need more zinc than meat-eaters — zinc is found in beans, nuts, and yogurt, but the phytic acid in whole grains, seeds, beans, and legumes can interfere with zinc absorption.

If you notice you’re not tasting food like you used to, alter your diet and consider adding a zinc supplement.

You could get depressed 

Some people report feeling a “vegan high” when they first give up meat, but a recent study has linked vegetarianism to depression. Since eating a balanced diet is essential when you don’t eat meat, vegetarians and vegans may be low on the vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that are essential to neurological function. Add back what you’ve been lacking through your diet and supplements to make sure your mood stays balanced.

You could feel restless at night 

Eating a lot of meat, especially red meat, is known to make you feel sluggish and sleepy. On the contrary, you might feel new bursts of energy once you start living the vegetarian life. And that’s all great until you lie down to sleep and realize you’re still full of energy.

 You’ll probably snack more 

While it’s a myth that most vegetarians don’t get enough protein, if you go directly from getting your protein from meat to giving up meat entirely, your body will go into survival mode. Be careful, or you could end up eating a lot of starchy snacks like crackers and pretzels — keep your energy up with almonds or Greek yogurt instead.

Your skin might look better 

If you eat a nutritious diet as a vegetarian, your skin will look noticeably better. The vitamins in fruits and vegetables combat free radicals and are high in antioxidants, leading to that gorgeous skin glow.