Iron Levels

I do my best to donate blood as often as I can. Before you can donate, a test is administered to test the iron level in the blood.  The last time I donated was in early June and, at that time, I was still eating meat. I went Monday to donate again. I was curious to see how my iron level was since I had become a full-fledged vegetarian. My level was just fine and I was able to donate. Yay!

I think it is so important to be healthy and maintain a healthy diet regimen. I am taking multi-vitamins for now. I hope to come to a point where I do not have to take a multi-vitamin to meet all of my dietary needs. I think it is reasonable to get all of one’s nutrients  from food without adding supplementation regardless if a person is a vegetarian or not. By eating the proper combination of foods, I am also ensuring that I do get the required amount of B12 and amino acids needed for a healthy system.

I do notice that I tend to be more shaky and irritable when eating sugar now as a vegetarian. I find it to be very important to make a real effort to have a decent amount of protein in my diet and this counteracts any effects. I think as I learn more about proper diet and nutrition as a vegetarian that this will balance out and be a non-issue.

On a side note….Did you know that sugar is not vegetarian? There is bone ash added to make the sugar more white and bright. #$%^&*!!!!!! Crap! Now I have to buy organic sugar. Grrrrr.