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One reason why Awaken Your Nutrition has served over 3,000 people with permanent knowledge + tools that serve them for LIFE is that we help you develop a personalized blueprint of how to eat for optimal health.
To be ultra clear: we do not subscribe to any one way of eating or any restrictive diet.
That's why many people are shocked to find out that we support everyone from vegans to full on carnivores.
We've seen it ALL, and that's why we never judge.
One person's optimal diet is another person's pathway to fatigue, inflammation and illness.
And what's fascinating is that someone's food preferences and rules can change over time as they start tuning into their bodies.
We've seen people start with us as vegans and realize that their bodies are starving for nourishment from animal foods.
And we've seen others come to us eating primarily animal foods and realize that adding in more plants brings in much needed hydration and digestive flow.
With all this in mind, we wanted to touch on something that might be triggering but that is worth a discussion. So, deep breaths: read on with an open mind 💚
In today’s world, many people are choosing to cut back on or completely eliminate animal foods from their diets. But with this shift comes a critical need: even more education on nutrition science.
Here’s why understanding nutrition science is more important than ever if you've reduced or cut out animal foods:
1. Getting Sufficient Protein
First and foremost, sufficient daily intake of protein needs to be a priority for everyone regardless of diet as we cannot store amino acids.
While it's easier to meet protein needs when eating animal foods which contain complete proteins, protein quality and bio-availability (how well you can absorb the protein) in plant foods varies.
While legumes, grains, and vegetables provide some protein, not all are complete sources, meaning they don’t provide all the essential amino acids your body needs in one food.
Foods like seitan, tempeh, extra firm tofu, etc. will need to be staples to meet protein needs if not eating animal foods.
Furthermore, knowing how to combine foods to create a complete amino acid profile becomes crucial for anyone avoiding animal foods.
2. Avoiding Common Deficiencies
Animal foods are naturally rich in essential nutrients like complete proteins, vitamin B12, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc. These just so happen to be the same nutrients that make us feel vital and full of energy.
When we reduce or eliminate animal foods, it becomes essential to understand how to replace these nutrients through plant-based sources or as a last resort, supplementation, to avoid any nutrient deficiencies.
Vitamin B12 is one of the most common deficiencies among plant-based eaters and must be supplemented if not eating meat, fish or dairy.
Omega-3 fatty acids abundant in wild seafood are critical for brain health and reducing inflammation. These are also harder to come by in a plant-based diet unless you’re consuming enough flaxseed, chia seeds, or walnuts.
Understanding the role of these nutrients and how to include plant-based or supplemental alternatives in your daily routine helps you stay energized and prevent long-term health issues, some of which take years to develop.
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