Your friendly neighborhood vegan from Toronto. Egg yolks contain vitamins A, D, E, K, which are fat-soluble, and yolks are a fatty food. This is an issue with a vegan diet because the only true form of vitamin A, retinol, comes from animal products. It’s important that you wean yourself off too much refined sugars. So, rather than toss and turn for hours, I would get up but then be exhausted later in the day. Note: this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. And because digestion is likely already so poor and soil quality is so bad, you are already at a disadvantage, whether you eat animal products or not. I see posts and comments often of vegans who report that they often feel tired, dizzy, weak, or hungry. I urge you not to give up if you’re experiencing these symptoms. I’ve recently begun sprouting my beans and thoroughly soaking my grains, but I’ve been so fatigued lately.. I’m doing my best to avoid gluten and sugar, however, I’ve only been doing all these things for about two weeks. If you want to talk directly, feel free to e-mail me: carrieATcarrieonlivingDOTcom, and, although I can’t advise you since I’m not a medical professional, I’m certainly willing to share more of my experience. I really like the idea of being a vegan for lots of different reasons, but haven’t been able to make it work. Due to the absence of red meat in a plant-based diet, vegans (and vegetarians) are typically deficient in vitamin B12 and iron. I’m also really sorry to hear about the troubles you’re running into. Vegans might argue that the body is able to create cholesterol on its own, but this is sort of a double-whammy. As mentioned, most people already suffer from poor digestion, and when the bulk of one’s diet is made up of foods that further damage the gut, this can lead to leaky gut syndrome, which eventually can lead to hormone imbalances, food sensitivities, fatigue, thyroid issues, and adrenal issues. Environmental issues are so complex it is hard to generalize as to one answer, besides the obvious pulls like deforestation for wheat crops or factory farming. Thanks for reaching out and I hope to hear from you. Vitamin K2 is found in animal products, but it can also be found in natto, or fermented soybeans. For more information about soaking and sprouting, check out this article from Vegetarian Times. Reflect on recent events and changes in your life other than your diet switch. Fatigue can often be related to an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. While eating sugar can give you more energy in the short term, you’re probably familiar with the energy crash that can occur once the sugar high wears off. Here are five reasons your vegan diet is making you fat, sick, and tired instead of vibrant and full of energy: 1. I’m working on my masters thesis at the moment and hoping that my issues will resolve once I’ve graduated… My PCOS was bad and since I’ve been vegan it hasn’t acted up at all. Or, you can also reach out to find a therapist who can help you develop coping skills. Especially not being able to relate to anyone else puts me down as well…sometimes I feel when I talk to people about it they just think I’m tired because I look fine but really I’m feeling terrible. Switching to a vegan diet isn’t something that’s been rigorously studied, and can be very difficult. But with vegan foods, you must constantly be cognizant of combining certain foods to make sure you’re getting as many nutrients as possible. I should also mention the fact that I’m not a health professional, so it’s really best if you consult a clinician about this specific issue. I urge you not to give up if you’re experiencing these symptoms. Thirdly, one may be weaker but may experience immune system boost, cleaner blood and less sicknesses. Let this serve as a reminder that no matter how many months or years a diet made of only plants served you well, it is never too late to adjust your sails and restore your health by guiding your body back to a primal way of eating. Rather, plants only contain carotenoids, which are vitamin A precursors. Fake meats are not healthy foods, and neither are sugar-filled vegan desserts. You’ll probably find at least one tip or more that can help resolve your fatigue on a vegan or plant-based diet. So many people accidentally lose weight on a vegan diet because it’s easy to eat less than you’re used to. Plants do not contain retinol. If that’s not possible, use a food tracker for a week or so. When it comes to the environment, I don’t think there is an easy answer except that overpopulation is probably part of the problem and that even if everyone ate plant-based, there would still be a huge drain on the earth’s resources…just my two cents. A balanced vegetarian or vegan diet can provide many health benefits. It can also be tough at first to eat enough because foods like vegetables and beans are very filling. I am starting to realize that it is not, especially when it comes to health, although I do think it is best for animal welfare and environmental health. It is definitely possible that the cause of your fatigue is that a vegan diet is not working for you. I also was just convinced differently about health. Could any of those be causing fatigue? Protein is especially important if you workout, as you’ll need extra to repair damaged muscle tissue. Module 1: Basics of Nutrition [PDF file]. This is often an issue with new vegans (it was for me), because you might not be used to eating those foods often. If you want to work with real foods, let us know! Abundant energy, glowing skin, shiny hair, effortless weight loss—all made possible by endless fruits and vegetables! Nobody ever got sick from plants, right? All sorts of hormonal and chemical imbalances happened, which affected my physical, emotional, and physiological state.”. Thank you, Anne! Just about all cases of fatigue on a vegan diet will fall under one of those 7 issues we looked at in this post. This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. Just try a few different brands and see which one works best for you. If you find that you feel really tired or bloated after eating a plant-based meal, then you might try soaking and sprouting your foods. Again, I wish everyone the best with plant-based diets. It’s important to realize that while diet is a common cause of fatigue, it’s not the only one. My adrenal fatigue got worse on a vegan or plant-based diet. They take seconds to make, can taste good, and instantly give you 20-30 grams of protein. Nuts, legumes, and seeds can be great to boost your energy. It has really just ruled my life and caused me to just feel like I’m in a fog 24/7. Women’s concerns about fatigue can often be dismissed by doctors, so it’s important to be your own advocate and ask that your thyroid levels be tested. Your mind is good at making these expectations become a reality if you let them. Hi Angela, check out the book “The Period Repair Manual” by Dr. Lara Briden for excellent information related to PCOS. Your doctor or healthcare provider can likely suggest some supplements to help with your tiredness. I have pcos as well and have been suffering from fatigue, brain fog, and blurry vision as well. Meat is a complete protein and has all the … Check it out here. Retrieved August 12, 2018, from https://chrismasterjohnphd.com/2016/12/09/the-ultimate-vitamin-k2-resource/. Required fields are marked *, Oh, and I have one more thought. Take an honest look at how well you’ve actually been eating since the switch. Hi Alison, I’m sorry it took me a few days to respond to your comment. I completely see the vegan perspective as far as animal welfare and environmental health items are concerned and respect it, but I have seen arguments both ways (I did not read it, but I think Lierre Keith’s book touched on some of those arguments – whether or not valid). Most of my fatigue issues have been resolved. A free one that I use is Cronometer. However, I have tried on two different occasions to be vegan (one year apart). While it does take extra time to soak and sprout your foods, it can make all the difference in how your body digests those foods. Everyone always thinks that vegans are healthy until they actually become vegan. Chronically elevated blood sugar levels can lead to insulin resistance, which is one of the major underlying causes of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), type II diabetes, and difficult weight management. Cholesterol is the precursor to pregnenolone, which is the precursor to progesterone. Maybe if I keep all this up it will get better, and focus on stress management.. How long did it take for you to notice a good change? Vitamin D deficiency shows up in many ways, two of which being depressed moods and fatigue. And I completely agree – my animal products come local in the grass fed, pastured, organic way and not only is that better from an animal welfare and environmental aspect (if meat and eggs are in the diet) but it is also optimum from a health perspective. You feel tired. A vegan diet can also exacerbate poor health because it often relies on grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, which can be damaging to the gut lining. You can read my article with tips for better sleep, or you can consult your healthcare provider to help rule out any conditions that might be affecting your sleep. You can buy green tea loose or in bags, or you can also try matcha. Vitamin K2 is critical for good health, as it helps stabilize blood sugar (which is a key foundation for hormone health and weight management), helps stabilize sex hormones, and it improves energy utilization during exercise[1]. Sending you much love and compassion on your journey; I know how hard this can be. Some of the common questions and concerns include: I went vegan or vegetarian and I’m feeling weak or tired. If your thyroid is healthy and you can rule out thyroid disease as the cause of your fatigue, then it’s also worth having your ferritin levels tested. I would rather eat the beneficial foods then displace those food opportunities with less nourishing foods.