After recently marking my two year anniversary of officially throwing in the towel and becoming a full fledged vegan I decided to break down my top most favourite vitamins that have helped me maintain my physical health whilst cutting down on so many foods that I would usually consume as a full-time meat eater!
COLLAGEN
Alongside a high protein diet full of foods such as legumes and seeds I like to take a teaspoon of collagen with my morning matcha or afternoon tea. Collagen is a type of protein which is composed mainly of the amino acids glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. It supports tissues in the body and plays an important role in cellular process and repair. The general notion about people who live by a vegan diet is that they do not consume enough protein so this is a great way to incorporate it into my diet. With the added benefit of it being unflavoured, it is perfect for adding into your hot drinks and getting that quick, extra boost during the day. One we recommend is the Great Lakes Wellness Collagen Peptides Powder Supplement!
+ Great Lakes Collagen Peptides Powder Supplement available at Amazon UK.
VITAMIN B12
Vitamin B12 goes hand in hand if you are like me and are always trying to increase your protein intake, as it helps the body metabolise the protein that we are consuming so its great for giving that extra push to ensure the protein you are consuming is being digested by the body. Alongside a capsule, I like to add some nutritional yeast on top of some of my dishes which is rich in B12 and tastes amazing. One we love is the Solgar chewable B12!
+ Solgar Vitamin B12, available at Boots.
VITAMIN D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body enhance the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from your gut. It is also said to assist other bodily processes such as the immune system, mood, memory and muscle recovery. A capsule is not the only way to get vitamin D in your body, simply getting direct sunlight on your body for around 15 minutes daily can also work to get your daily vitamin D. We love the Holland & Barrett Vitamin D3.
+ Holland & Barrett Vitamin D3 available at Holland & Barrett.
OMEGA 3
A few months into my vegan journey a friend of mine mentioned Omega 3 which is derived from algae instead of fish oils. many kinds of algae grow in ponds, lakes, rivers and other water bodies and it is considered a primary source of omega-3 fats which makes it perfect for someone following a vegan diet. We love the soft gel Together Natural Algae DHA Omega 3.
+ Together Natural Algae DHA Omega 3 available at Holland & Barrett.
IRON
After suffering with anaemia from a young age, taking an iron supplement has become a staple in my daily routine. one of the most common concerns people have about turning vegan is the lack of iron consumption. Iron is important as is carries oxygen in the blood. Without enough iron, there aren’t enough red blood cells to transport oxygen, which leads to fatigue. The Bulk Iron Capsules are one of our faves!
+ Bulk Iron (Ferrous Bisglycinate) Capsules available at BULK
CALCIUM & ZINC
I usually take these as one capsule just before I go to sleep. Calcium is important fo good bone and teeth health. It also plays a role in muscle function, nerve signalling, and heart health. Zinc is important as it is thought that vegans get less in their diet. Zinc cannot be stored in the human body and it is consistently lost through our faeces, skin and hair and therefore its super important to maintain zinc levels in the body. We recommend the Nutravita Calcium Magnesium and Zinc supplements.
+ Nutravita Calcium, Magnesium & Zinc With Vitamin D3 available at Nutravita
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