Is there anything I need to be taking for a supplement besides

[Ilsa]

B-12? I'm feeling really good after only 10 days, and even my gut has settled down alot (must be the detox tea). And why B-12? Any other proteins? I'm trying to eat a variety of grains and vegetables and fruits and pastas. I also eat eggs and a very small amount of dairy.

[smbolisnch]

1. Ilsa

I take a vegetarian multivitamin every day. It has my B-12. I also take a calcium supplement. Not because I actually believe there is sufficient calcium in milk that I am not getting, but b/c I got tired or hearing my mom say "women need calcium Megan!" :P

[4_Legs_Good]

2. B-12 is found in few non-animal products

as I understand it. If you're going vegan it can be a problem. If you're eating eggs and/or dairy, I think you should be fine.

I should try some of that detox tea. I'm always trying to detox from something or another and I think my kidneys aren't happy with me.

david

[livetohike]

3. I take an Iron supplement

but you might want to get your iron levels checked. I wouldn't take it on my own unless I knew that I was anemic (which I am).

[Beaverhausen]

4. Dr. Weil's website talked about this today

http://www.drweil.com/u/DailyTip/

Daily Tip
Vegetarians - Boost Your Protein
As part of an optimum diet, I recommend that everyone get 20 to 30 percent of their daily calories from protein, which amounts to between 80 and 120 grams on a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet.

If you are vegetarian and concerned about getting enough protein, one excellent source of vegetable protein is wheat meat (gluten), much used in Chinese vegetarian cuisine. Soy foods are another superior source. (Try baked tofu in dishes like fajitas and stir fries. It has the consistency of cooked chicken and comes in a variety of flavors.) In addition to the protein soy foods provide, they also contain healthy fat and isoflavones - unusual compounds that may offer significant protection against cancer, particularly hormonally driven malignancies such as breast and prostate cancers.

To avoid dietary deficiencies, be aware that those on vegetarian diets, especially children, need to keep their calcium and B-12 intake up with calcium-rich greens and fortified products.

***********************************************
I love his philosphy! His website has tons of great info on "optimum health."

[LeftyMom]

5. A multi is usually a good idea

I take a b complex for energy, a multi, an iron supplement (my iron isn't real low but I'm a regular blood donor so I like to keep it up to avoid having to put off a donation) and vitamin c to help with the iron absorption.

If you're eating animal products at all you shouldn't need the b12 supplement. Even vegans probably get enough just from microbial action and supplemented foods like soy milk and nutritional yeast.

[smurfygirl]

6. I suggest a book called

The Vegan Diet for chronic disease prevention by Dr. Kerrie Saunders

It is possibly the best book that explains how your body works, why food affects us, how to group foods together for optimum vitamin and mineral absorption and common myths and misconceptions associated with being vegan. It totally helped me understand my body and my diet better. Plus, it's written by a doctor who can actually explain things in easy clear layman's terms.

Here is a link to the book at amazon but you can probably get it at a ton of places...check your library.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1590560388/002-6858125-2568813?v=glance


On another note. I take a multi vitamin everyday...I even did this when I ate meat though....It's insurance in case I get pregnant that I will always have an adequate amount of folic acid in me...Every child bearing age woman should make sure of this. I also take B-12 once a week.

[Ilsa]

7. Thanks everyone. This is a big help.

And I feel better already armed with this information. I've bookmarked this thread and those links.

Right now I am taking a multi vitamin and a calcium w/ magnesium supplement. Its brand name is Bluebonnet Multi One by Albion Laboratories, Inc and I buy it at my local Health Food House.

Meanwhile, I made a stir fry for my family. I used a chicken breast because I always used to do that. But this time, after cooking the chicken, I removed it and cooked all the vegetables, then I separated my portion into another sauce pan. I added the meat back to my husband's and son's portions. Mine was delicious! All the flavor, none of the meat. I suppose I could learn how to cook with tofu next.