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Nutritional deficiencies
Are there any disadvantages to being a vegetarian? Are there any health risks associated with turning vegetarian?
Answers (36)
If you would like to discuss your concern in more detail, please feel free to contact me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine. Alternatively, you can connect with me through the Practo app for a detailed consultation
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1 # Eat a balanced diet
Plenty of vegetables, fruits,
whole grains, pulses, nuts, and seeds.
Limit ultra-processed foods, excess sugar, and excessive salt.
Choose healthy protein sources and healthy fats.
2 # Stay physically active
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
Include strength training 2–3 times weekly.
3 # Maintain a healthy weight
Excess body weight increases the risk of many chronic diseases.
4 # Get adequate sleep
Most adults need 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night.
5 # Stay hydrated
Drink enough water throughout the day.
6 # Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol
Smoking and tobacco use significantly increase disease risk.
7 #Manage stress
Meditation, yoga, hobbies, social connections, and relaxation techniques can help.
8 # Practice good hygiene
Wash hands regularly and follow food-safety practices
9 # Have regular health checkups
Monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, dental health, and vision as recommended.
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Kindly consult
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> Hello,
> For further consultation, detailed discussion and to share your reports / follow-up queries, you can consult me directly on my WhatsApp at *Nine Zero Four Four Five One One Two Nine Nine*.
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In depth discussion about food habits and their consequences. Need online consultation
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No. You can be very much healthy by turning into a 100% vegetarian. Health risks are gimmicks.
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Hello,
I am Dr. Romain Rajan, General Physician (Ex Govt Medical Officer at RML Hospital, New Delhi), and your case has been allotted to me.
Thank you for your question. A well planned vegetarian diet is generally healthy and does not inherently cause health problems. In fact, vegetarian diets can provide good amounts of fibre, vegetables, fruits and beneficial plant nutrients.
The main concern is that certain nutrients can become deficient if the diet is not properly planned.
Nutrients to pay attention to
⢠Vitamin B12: The most important concern, particularly in strict vegetarians. Fortified foods or supplements may be required.
⢠Iron: Plant based iron is less readily absorbed. Include lentils, beans, soy, green leafy vegetables, sesame and nuts along with vitamin C rich foods.
⢠Protein: Ensure adequate intake through dal, beans, soy, paneer, curd, milk, nuts and seeds.
⢠Vitamin D: Deficiency is common in both vegetarians and non vegetarians and depends more on sunlight, diet and individual factors.
⢠Calcium, zinc and omega 3 fatty acids: These should also be adequately included through dairy, seeds, nuts, legumes and fortified foods where appropriate.
There is no need to start eating meat simply for health reasons if a vegetarian diet is balanced. The risk usually comes from an unbalanced diet rather than vegetarianism itself.
If someone has fatigue, hair loss, weakness, numbness or other unexplained symptoms after becoming vegetarian, checking CBC, ferritin, vitamin B12 and vitamin D can be useful.
For personalised one to one consultation, you can reach out to me directly on WhatsApp at 80762047 three eight.
Wishing you good health.
Dr. Romain Rajan
General Physician
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No nothing
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There's no any harm in eating veges unless your meal has balanced amount of carbs protein fibres and other nutrition
For your customised diet plan Contact me
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No..
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No such disadvantages.
You can check for Serum Vitamin B12 and Vit D.
Vit. B12 and Vit D are very low in vegetarian diets but you can easily meet the demands through some supplements.
Otherwise no such serious problems.
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A well-planned vegetarian diet is generally healthy. Nutrient deficiencies can occur if the diet is not balanced—especially vitamin B12, iron, vitamin D, calcium, and omega-3.
Next Steps
Ensure adequate protein and varied foods; consider checking CBC, ferritin, B12 and vitamin D if symptoms or dietary risk factors are present.
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Nothing
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Yes you have deficiencies for micronutrients
If you have not take alternative resources
Please consult
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Not major disadvantages but
1) vit b12 deficiency
2)plant iron is less well absorbed
3)omega3
Health Tips
Add supplements to ur diet
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If you would like to discuss your concern in more detail, please feel free to contact me on WhatsApp at eight six one nine six six nine nine zero six. Alternatively, you can connect with me through the Practo app for a detailed consultation
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Can have vitamin b12 deficiency if you don't have the habit of taking sufficient dairy products in your diet.
Next Steps
needs detailed diet history
Health Tips
dp consult
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No there is no disadvantage as such if u take soyabeen,milk, paneer and curd in u daily diet because the only vitamin that is not available in any plant base food is vitamin b12 which u get from curd (it is one of the richest sources).And just check ur iron level if u feel fatigued,dizziness & ur skin color becomes pale. Otherwise there was not any big issue.
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No
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question though. Kindly consult pls to clear your doubts
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No disadvantages as such.
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kindly do connect and consult with me for better treatment plan and advice on your case via PRACTO app
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No disadvantages at all no health risks as we should the aware about vegetarian food which are high source of protein and all essential micronutrients.
Like if we eat moong and channa sprouts in morning they are best source of proteins. Take good amount of daily products like milk curd they meet all requirements of body.limit tea and caffeine
Next Steps
just eat healthy that is key for every deficiency.
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No disadvantage as such.
Make sure you take adequate protein. Coz vegetarian diets have low protein. Adjust your carbohydrate intake.
Keep checking your serum B12 levels.
Take vegetarian sources of omega 3 fatty acids
Next Steps
feel free to consult me on practo for further evaluation and diet plan
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Do checks on Vit.B12
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A well-planned vegetarian diet is generally healthy; the main risk is missing key nutrients, not vegetarianism itself. Pay attention to protein, vitamin B12, iron, vitamin D and omega-3. Include dals, soy, paneer/curd, nuts and seeds regularly, and do not start supplements blindly. I can review your diet and reports in a Practo consultation and make a personalised plan.
Next Steps
If you have fatigue, hair fall, numbness or frequent illness, check CBC, ferritin, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Book a Practo consultation for a tailored diet and supplement plan.
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Dr. Praful Mahamuni
General Practitioner
20 yrs exp
Nagpur
Hello,
Take Balanced diet which is mentioned below,
1/3 of food plate should contain bread ( or 4 roti ), pasta, potato and rice.
1/3 of food plate should contain fruits and vegetables.
1/9 of food plate should contain fish, meat, egg, beans and other non dairy sources of protein.
1/9 of food plate should contain milk and dairy foods.
1/9 of food plate should contain food and drink high in fat and/ or sugar.
plus a glass of milk daily.
For prescription contact me at WhatsApp at +91959508739nine or consult by practo app.
In future if consultations are required than contact me at WhatsApp at +91959508739nine or consult by practo app.
Thanks.
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Dr. Bakkiyadevaraj
General Physician
13 yrs exp
Perambalur
Pure vegetarians are prone to Vitamin B12 deficiency as vegetarian diet are poor source of it .
So consciously prefere dairy products, egg , B12 fortified foods , other wise nothing to worry much
Next Steps
consult at PRACTO for more detailed information
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Dr. Reesha Varshney
General Physician
1 yrs exp
Hathras
No
There might be some vitamin deficiencies though
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Practitioner
7 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Green leafy vegetables more
Fiber meal
Walk
Do connect and consult
Will help you
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Dr. Rajiv Kumar
General Physician
24 yrs exp
Pune
No issues
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Dr. Rachna Pande
Internal Medicine
42 yrs exp
Bhopal
No, in fact in multiple ways, veg. Food is more healthy,except that you have to be vigilant regarding intake of vit b12,d, as vegetarian sources of these nutrients are limited. Fortified cereals, eggs, berries, nuts, curd and other milk products are vegetarian sources of vit d, b12
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Dr. Suraj Sharma
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Jaipur
Do consult
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Dr. Ankita Gahlot
Obstetrician
12 yrs exp
Bangalore
A vegetarian diet can be perfectly healthy, but it does need more attention to a few specific nutrients.
Next Steps
Keep an eye on vitamin B12, iron, and protein intake, since these are the ones vegetarians commonly run low on.
Health Tips
Since you're already taking some supplements, get your levels checked before adding anything new.
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