[4everaspirit]

First off. I really do think vegan is awesome. For the most part I feel like I have been doing well but I have noticed slight differences when in actually the more recent months. (I have been vegan for almost 2 years) I am actually a lot "hungrier" now. I am usually munching on things throughout the day. However, I feel that this may be partially due to school and stress because 1. I'm lazy when I get up in the morning so I don't bring much to school for lunch. Last year I actually brought more of a lunch to school and wasn't as hungry as I often feel now. 2. The stress of all the loud noises and ignorant kids at school drive me crazy. I really can't stand school but in some ways I understand the importance of it. So maybe all the stress is taking energy away from me xD

Another problem that actually started shortly after I went vegan was that my hair fell out at a faster rate? I mean, I have a lot of hair, but it comes out easier now...but it's not like just all dropping to the floor or anything. o.o

(I apologize if this is too personal for some) but I have also had my periods less frequently...however I don't think that veganism is necessarily to blame for that. We had a discussion about that in my health class where my teacher said that it's typical that gymanists or really active people don't tend to get their periods as they have lower body fat, so to preserve energy, the body decides not to go into the cycle as often. o.o She didn't say that was necessarily a bad thing though....and I mean, I don't think many girls would complain not getting their period every month xD

But anyway, I wanted to know if anyone wanted to share honest health concerns they have had with being vegan, or if maybe some people can contribute and tell us things they did to fix an issue. Would love to hear!!! But let's not feel too bad about small health issues, because with 2/3 of Americans overweight on the typical american diet, I don't think omnivores have too much to shake a stick at xD

 

[penny79]

just because you are not bleeding does not mean you have not ovulated.

hair falling out is a common side effect of a diet change (veg or not).

most plant-based foods digest faster than omni foods.

 

[4everaspirit]

LOL yeah I know. I think you still ovulate but your body decides not to produce the blood cuz that's a lot of energy and nutrients going down there xD...I don't know...I forgot some of what my teacher had said D:

It may be a side effect of diet "change" but it is still going on for me. Do you think there is like a vitamin or mineral I may be lacking?
LOL yeah plant foods do digest faster, but I haven't been "this" hungry...I mean it's not that bad, but I usually get hungry an hour or 2 after eating a full 500-600 calorie meal. I think I just may need to start eating breakfast more and take more to school like I used to. It wasn't as big of a problem a year ago xD

 

[Forster]

My hair fell out long before I switched to a whole food plant based diet.

As far as healthier, much more so now than before, weight down, cholesterol down. I'm actually a lot less hungry than prior to switching... but I've also cut out virtually all refined foods and added oils. Way more nutrients and fiber in my diet now which I attribute to being satiated longer between meals.

 

[penny79]

maybe try tracking your food to make sure you get enough calories, eat enough fruits and veggies. we can't know if you're lacking something without a lot more detail.

 

[4everaspirit]

Glad it's working out for you forster.

That's a good point penny, I have never really tracked my food. xD I thought it might be too time consuming. I think I'm gonna see a nutritionist and maybe get some nutrition tests done somewhere to make sure everything is good...if things aren't too great, I will start tracking ^^

 

[Kari]

Hair loss can be caused by a diet that is too low in fat...be sure you are getting healthy fats from sources like olive oil and nuts.

 

[Photojess]

I have this new dry scaley patch on my chin that I've never had before. I'm keeping it moisturized, but I don't know where it's come from...Hoping it's just the winter cooler weather right now.

 

[Undaria]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4everaspirit

think I'm gonna see a nutritionist and maybe get some nutrition tests done somewhere to make sure everything is good.

A vegan diet can be much better than a omni diet, but because it isn't mainstream it can be a lot harder to ensure you get a balanced diet. By going vegan you cut out most of the bad by default (fast food, saturated fats, cholesterol) but the problem comes in replacing it with the good stuff in the right proportions. Seeing a nutritionist will help you to make sure you are doing that part of it right.

 

[LedBoots]

Hi 4ever. Sometimes women miss periods if they are underweight. Your hair thinning plus the no period thing plus the hunger sound as if you may need more calories.

 

[luvourmother]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LedBoots

Hi 4ever. Sometimes women miss periods if they are underweight. Your hair thinning plus the no period thing plus the hunger sound as if you may need more calories.

Agree, with this. Both of the symptoms you described can be related to being underweight and not eating enough calories.
Tracking your food intake is a good place to start.

What does an average day's meals and snacks look like to you?

 

[falconbrother]

It's hard to say what's going on with your health. Stress can have all kinds of negative impacts. Make sure that you're not only eating enough but that it's well rounded. You need grains. proteins, as well as veggies and fruits. Are you taking any vitamin supplements? You might need to do that, especially B12, B6, Zink, etc.. As a female you might need some Iron also. Men generally don't need to supplement that but, you may. Get a good, health food store quality, vegan multivitamin. If WalMart is what you can afford it might work but, you'll get better quality with nutrients your body can absorb from a good natural store. I buy mine at Earth Fare. It has 3000% of the daily recommended B12 and I take one every other day. I suppose I could go with one every day but, the levels are so high in some things that I go every other day and make sure I keep a mental note of what I have been eating and not eating. Vegans need to be intentional about what is consumed. Unlike the rest of the world who just stuff things in their faces. You need to be sure your getting a wide variety of the things on the Vegan pyramid.

 

[jessickah]

my hair is all over my apartment >.<
its so bad that our carpet is a creamish and my hair is dark, so it literally looks like there are little black stains on the carpet BUT it is really just clumps of my hair =/ blech gag i know!

 

[weirdo vegan chick]

i have not lost any hair or missed periods since going vegan. agree with everyone else, tracking your food will help you get an idea if you are eating a balanced diet and let you know if you are lacking in anything. there are several websites out there to help you do that
http://caloriecount.about.com/ and http://www.sparkpeople.com will tell you your calorie intake basic nutritional intake for the day.

 

[dmclean]

I got headaches when standing up or moving my head in different ways for the first 4-5 days when I first started but that all subsided. Two months in and I feel great. More energy, better shape. I don't take any vitamins. I don't really think I need to because I eat A LOT of food. And a lot of different food at that. A daily well planned smoothie can help with missing nutrients.

 

[Werewolf Girl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmclean

I got headaches when standing up or moving my head in different ways for the first 4-5 days when I first started but that all subsided. Two months in and I feel great. More energy, better shape. I don't take any vitamins. I don't really think I need to because I eat A LOT of food. And a lot of different food at that. A daily well planned smoothie can help with missing nutrients.

Are some of the foods you're eating fortified with B12? That is one thing you need to make sure you're getting.

 

[Werewolf Girl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvourmother

Agree, with this. Both of the symptoms you described can be related to being underweight and not eating enough calories.
Tracking your food intake is a good place to start.

What does an average day's meals and snacks look like to you?

I agree it does sound like it could be a matter of not enough calories/fat. I never experienced hair loss or any other symptoms mentioned, but then I eat like a horse!

 

[dmclean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Werewolf Girl

Are some of the foods you're eating fortified with B12? That is one thing you need to make sure you're getting.

Yeah my almond milk is and nutritional yeast is. Both of which I use quite a bit. I'll pop one of my fiance's b12 pills every now and again when I see them on the counter but I don't make it habit. Your body does not need much. The total amount of B12 the body needs is around the size of three grains of rice. And that is for your entire life.

 

[Nishani]

Hair loss and skipped periods can be caused by a number of things, but they are both linked to low iron stores. I think it would be a good idea to see a doctor for a blood screen as soon as you can, just to rule that out.

 

[Rhys]

Can't think of any health concerns I've had due to veg*nism, only improvements. Hope you're able to get the hair loss and missed periods sorted though.