11 Common Mistakes You Must Avoid On A Vegetarian Diet

1. Not eating enough protein

Protein is an essential macronutrient required by the body for building and repairing tissues, making enzymes and hormones. Many who follow a vegetarian diet do not include enough amounts of protein-rich foods into their diet. Consuming protein-rich foods will increase muscle mass, keep you feeling fuller for longer and reduce cravings. There are plenty of plant foods high in protein that will help you meet your protein requirements. These plant-based foods include lentils, nuts and seeds, beans, nut butters, mushroom and green peas. Try incorporating at least more than one of these foods in each meal [3].

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2. Not drinking enough water

If you are following the vegetarian diet, you should drink plenty of water throughout the day. The vegetarian diet includes high fibre intake and drinking ample amounts of water can help in better digestion and aid the fibre move smoothly through the digestive tract, thus preventing bloating, gas and constipation.

3. Less intake of vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is needed by the body for the synthesis of DNA and for cellular energy production. Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal-based foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, shellfish and dairy.

Since, there are very few vegetarian food sources of vitamin B12, vegetarians have a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency and a deficiency in this vitamin causes fatigue and memory problems. So to lower the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, you can include nutritional yeast, mushrooms and some algae into your diet as they contain vitamin B12 [4].

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4. Consuming few calories

Calories are the primary source of energy for the body and the body requires a certain amount of it to function. Consuming too few calories can lead to a deficiency in nutrients and a slow metabolism. Make sure to meet your daily calorie needs by adding more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet [5].

5. Swapping meat with cheese

Since the vegetarian diet doesn't include meat, most vegetarians swap meat with cheese to add in various kinds of dishes such as pasta, salad and sandwiches. Although cheese contains a significant amount of protein, vitamins and minerals, it can't replace the nutrients found in meat. Instead of replacing meat with cheese, incorporate other plant-based foods that could be used as a replacement for meat such as chickpeas, lentils, beans and quinoa.

6. Not consuming enough calcium-rich foods

Calcium is an important mineral required to keep your bones healthy and strong, promote the functioning of the nervous system and aid in proper working of the muscles and cells. A deficiency in calcium can lead to osteoporosis and osteopenia [6]. Dairy products are high in calcium and those who don't consume dairy products should get their calcium intake from other plant-based foods such as broccoli, bok choy, almonds, kale, oranges and other fortified foods as they are good sources of calcium.

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7. Not eating enough iron-rich foods

Meat is a very good source of iron, specifically heme iron, a type of iron which your body can absorb easily. And plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and fortified cereals contain non-heme iron, which your body can't absorb easily. This leads to an increased risk of iron-deficiency anaemia among vegetarians. So, ensure that you eat plenty of beans, lentils, fruits, veggies, fortified cereals, nuts and seeds to increase the intake of iron [7].

In addition, try pairing iron-rich foods with foods rich in vitamin C because vitamin C increases the absorption of iron in the body[8].

8. Eating less whole foods

Consuming less whole foods increases the risk of nutrient deficiencies and when you are following the vegetarian diet, you need to make sure that you get enough amounts of essential vitamins and minerals. Increasing the intake of whole foods will help you get enough vitamins and minerals, so start adding more whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains nuts and seeds into your diet.

9. Not consuming omega 3 fats

Omega 3 fatty acids provide several health benefits, which includes lowering triglycerides, improving heart health, lowering blood pressure and supporting cognitive function [9]. Fatty fishes and fish oil contain DHA and EPA, the two types of omega 3 fats which are considered most beneficial for the body, whereas, plant-based foods contain ALA, a type of omega 3 fat that needs to get converted to DHA and EPA for the body to use. However, your body is only able to convert less amounts of ALA into DHA and EPA.

To meet your omega 3 fatty acids requirement, increase the intake of plant-based food sources rich in ALA omega 3 fatty acids like walnuts, chia seeds, hemp seeds, Brussels sprouts and flaxseeds.

10. Consuming more refined carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates such as pasta, pastries, white flour, white bread and white rice are stripped of all bran, fibre and other nutrients. To get the most of fibre and other nutrients, switch to whole grains as they have the bran, fibre and other nutrients intact.

11. Not planning your meals properly

When you are turning into a vegetarian, you need some extra meal planning to help you maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. As there are limited food choices for vegetarians, you need to prepare a meal plan that includes what you should be eating throughout the week. Planning a meal beforehand will help you decide what foods you should eat, help you add more nutrients into your diet and help you make the right food choices. Choose simple vegetarian recipes every week and prepare them at home.

Common FAQs

Q. What can you not eat if you are a vegetarian?

A. If you are a vegetarian you can't eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy.

Q. Why do vegetarians need to be careful of their diet?

A. Vegetarians need to be careful of their diet because since they have limited food options, they have to eat nutrient-dense foods to prevent nutrient deficiencies.

Q. Which foods would a vegetarian have to eat more and why?

A. Vegetarians need to eat more of whole, plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetable, whole grains, legumes, nut butters, nuts and seeds to prevent nutrient deficiencies.