What Happens If a Vegan Accidentally Eats Meat

Some people who have chosen vegetarianism, after a few months or a few years, decide again to use all kinds of meat and abandon the previous dietary restrictions. But if you have tried such a thing, you know that using meat again will definitely be associated with various changes in the digestive level and in the physical or mental state.

1. Your digestion may slow down

When the use of meat reaches several times a week (for example, 3 to 4 times a week), you will definitely notice that your digestion speed has decreased compared to when you were a vegetarian. But what is the reason for such an event? Experts say that meats are rich in animal protein and can be high in fat, while not providing any fiber to the body. All these factors together can affect the digestive system and cause constipation or simply reduce the number of bowel movements.

If this problem really bothers you, you should still adjust the main part of your diet based on plant foods and always use lean and lighter meats.

2. Less gas is expelled from your digestive system

Severe bloating and the formation of a large volume of gas in the digestive system are not pleasant for anyone. Vegetarians usually face this problem more than others, but they also expel gas from the digestive system much more easily. In fact, foods such as lentils, beans, and cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbages) all cause bloating, and vegetarians usually consume large amounts of these foods, but the gas formed in their digestive system is much easier to expel. Vegetarians who decide to eat meat again after a while find very quickly that the elimination of gas from the digestive tract is not as easy as it used to be and after a while it seems that the size of their stomach has increased. This problem sometimes goes so far that it becomes really difficult to wear some regular clothes. To deal with this problem, you should take the consumption of boiling water seriously during the day. Using foods rich in fiber such as raw nuts and seeds, various fruits and vegetables along with whole grains helps to solve this problem.

3. You may experience increased energy

Although vegetarianism is associated with a feeling of lightness in the body and mind, the lack of energy associated with vegetarianism cannot be ignored. Although at first glance it seems that the use of vegetable proteins in vegetarian diets can provide all the energy the body needs, but to achieve this goal, you have to consume a large amount of plant foods, which is usually very difficult. However, animal food sources can introduce more protein into the body with a smaller volume of food and provide the energy needed by the body more easily.

4. You may gain better muscle mass

Some of those who start eating meat again after a long time, face an increase in the volume of muscle mass. Of course, it is very important to pay attention to the fact that every person and every body has its own characteristics. So maybe starting to eat meat again won't be associated with an increase in muscle mass in everyone's body, but if you consume high-quality animal proteins and balanced amounts of macronutrients, you will most likely experience this change in muscle mass levels.

Your taste may become weaker

Zinc is physically heavy and performs various functions in the body. One of the things that zinc does in the body is to strengthen the body's immune system. Minerals in oysters and red meat are useful for the sense of taste and hearing. A research at the University of Tokushima, Japan showed that the lack of zinc in the body is the main cause of the disability of the sense of taste. The conclusion of this research was that patients who have taste problems are due to bad absorption of zinc in food.

Therefore, experts recently recommend that meat should still be consumed, albeit in much smaller quantities. You can get zinc through beans, nuts, grains, and dairy products, but the phytic acid in all grains can prevent zinc from being properly digested, says Javan Blake. As a result, all vegetarians need 50% of the zinc consumed by meat eaters. It is suggested that women consume 8 mg and men 12 mg of meat daily.

Muscles need more time to recover

The role of protein in muscle activity is undeniable. But where to get this protein? Both vegetable protein and animal protein are useful, but the former needs more time to be effective. "My advice to athletes is to consume protein in a liquid form after a workout, because liquids are absorbed much faster," says Bailey. You can make a drink with milk and put some pieces of fruit in it and then consume it. "The body will quickly absorb it after exercise."

Nutritional supplements

You may also need a little nutritional supplement. Studies show that vegetarians get as much iron as meat eaters. In terms of calcium and vitamin B12, there is no problem and the nervous system will work well. But if you are concerned about certain nutrients like zinc mentioned above, you can use nutritional supplements.