Teen Vegetarian Worried About Nutrition

Question For Savvy Vegetarian: What daily vitamin supplements should I take?

hello i am 16 years old and have been a teen vegetarian for 2 years! i do not take any daily vitamin supplements with my vegetarian diet

i was just wondering if you could maybe tell me what daily vitamin supplements i need to take and what it is for! thank you - R. S.

Savvy Vegetarian Advice:

Dear R. S.,

I wish I could give you a simple answer to your question. Truth is, I don't know whether you need daily vitamin supplements, or which one, because I'm not a doctor or nutritionist, and don't know anything about you other than that you're a 16 year old who's been a teen vegetarian for two years.

The attached nutrition report may help to give you a useful perspective on vegetarian nutrition. Reading between the lines, and guessing wildly, I think maybe you're concerned about your health, or someone else is concerned about your health?

If you're a vegan, and you've been growing in the last two years, it's possible that you have some kind of deficiency. But you shouldn't try to self-medicate with daily vitamin supplements. I'd recommend going to a doctor for tests on B12, zinc, iron, folic acid and so on. Also, it might be an idea to have the doctor refer you to a nutritionist or dietitian if there are any problems, so you can be sure you're eating properly on your vegetarian diet.

Maybe this is more than you needed to hear - it's the mother in me, can't help it! Please let me know how things turn out - I really would like to know!

All the best, Judith Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian

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