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Being a vegetarian or vegetarian definitely has its benefits, such as a lowered risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers.

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But I’ll be totally frank with you: staying healthy on a diet without clean animal protein requires special considerations. I know this firsthand, as I was a vegetarian for many years in my 20s. Over 20 years later, I’m leaner and healthier on a diet that includes a variety of clean meat and animal products.

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So, for clients who become vegan or vegetarian for health reasons, I typically recommend reintroducing animal protein for optimal health. But if you’re truly committed to eating a meat-free diet, I get it – and I’ve got you covered!

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Read on for my best tips to getting super healthy as a vegan or vegetarian…

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1) Being Vegan or Vegetarian Doesn’t Equal Healthy or Thin 

French fries are vegan. So are Oreos!

If a majority of your diet is processed food, faux meat and cheese products, and sugar, you aren’t going to be any healthier or thinner than you would be consuming animal products. Instead, aim to eat a plant-based diet that’s high in fiber, protein, and a variety of whole foods.

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2) Drink, Drink, Drink 

Because vegans and vegetarians consume more plant-based foods, they have a high fiber intake. It’s super-important that you drink enough water to help promote healthy digestion of that fiber.

Aim for 50 grams of fiber a day (start slowly and work your way up), and drink half your body weight in water ounces.

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3) Taste the Rainbow 

It’s important to make sure that you eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables since they all contain different nutrients.

A simple way to do this is to make sure that you’re eating fruits and vegetables that are all different colors of the rainbow. Think red tomatoes, yellow squash, green kale, orange pumpkin, and purple eggplant.

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4) You’re Sweet Enough!

Watch your sugar intake when following a vegan or vegetarian diet. If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, grab a piece of low-sugar impact fruit (berries make a great choice) or replace refined sugar with monk fruit, birch tree-derived xylitol, stevia, or JJ Virgin Sprinkles.

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5) Mix It Up

Make sure you’re not eating the same foods over and over again, day after day.  Doing this can cause you to develop food sensitivities.

Instead, keep lots of options on hand. Instead of always eating black beans, toss in chickpeas and lentils as well. If you usually choose spinach on your salad, try substituting arugula or mixed greens instead.

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6) Get Fat 

It’s important that you get healthy fat in your diet. Not only will it aid in weight loss, but it’s also required for things like maintaining a healthy hormonal balance.

If you can get these fats from whole or minimally processed food, even better! Try avocados, nuts, and oils from red palm fruit, olive, walnut, avocado, and coconut.

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7) Supplements Are Your Friend 

Vegetarians and vegans ALWAYS need to supplement vitamin B12 because it’s exclusively found in animal products, and B12 deficiencies can be fatal. (My B12 Boost is a great option – powerful convenient, and bioavailable.)

If you’re not eating animal products, be sure to also take extra zinc, iron, and vitamin D. I recommend adding vegetarian omega-3s as well.

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There you have it! Now, you can bypass many of the most common pitfalls of eating a meat-free diet and achieve your goals for optimal health.

If you want even more tips and inspiration to create amazing vegetarian or vegan menus, I’ve got yummy, nutritious recipes in The Virgin Diet Cookbook and the Sugar Impact Diet Cookbook.

Thanks so much for reading this post! If you’re interested in finding out more about how to dial in your diet and health, please check out my online programs. They’re science-based and have already helped thousands of people feel better fast and lose the weight.  Article by JJVirgin.