3 Ways to Increase Your Energy Level as a Vegan

About a month ago I told you that since we became vegan, we don’t get the energy level we hoped for. In fact, it could be less than before. In the past month we have been trying several ways to increase our energy level. Here are three ways that certainly worked for us. Of course, the options mentioned below are not for vegans only.

1. Supplements (Carnitine and Coenzym Q10). Most vegans know about Vitamin B12 supplements to reduce the risk of B12 deficiency. B12 is usually supplied by fortified products such as soymilk. Otherwise you can get B12 supplements just about everywhere. But there are also supplements that can boost your energy level. I found out about these supplements in the book Natural Energy: From Tired to Terrific in 10 Days by Erika Schwartz and Carol Colman. Schwartz suggests two supplements (L-carnitine and Coenzyme Q10), taken several times daily with meals, along with additional supplementation of magnesium, calcium or omega-3 fatty acids, depending on your particular symptoms. Carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 are both crucial to the production of energy in the body and when you have a lack of one of them, you won’t be able to produce enough energy to maintain optimal health. I don’t like taking pills, but I’ve definitely sensed an improvement in my energy level after about 30 days of taking the supplements twice a day. To get the recommended dose of 90 mg of Coenzyme Q10 without the use of supplements, you should eat 3 kg of meat, 7 kg of peanuts and 3 kg of sardines. That’s as good as impossible for non vegetarians, but absolute impossible for vegans. Carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 rich foods often contain a high dose of fat and usually don’t fit into a nutritious diet. Supplements seem to be the only way to make sure you get enough of them. When shopping for supplements beware of the many different supplements that contain animal products. Many pills (not the contents) are made of gelatin, which is usually made from meat and bones from animals. So look for supplements that are suitable for vegans.

2. More exercise. Maybe it doesn’t feel like you got more energy after your first workout in months (or even years), but you will notice a definite improvement in energy if you exercise on a regular basis.
About half a year ago I used to work out twice a week and play soccer once a week. Since we moved to another town, I had to find a new rhythm and although I walked more often, I hardly ever went to the gym or play soccer anymore. Now I go to the gym once a week and play soccer once a week and I sense a definite improvement in energy.

3. Eat more, not less. This might seem strange advise if you’re overweight and trying to lose some pounds, but if you’re not a big eater, like me, you could really benefit from eating more. It certainly worked for me. The book Becoming Vegan by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina gives some very practical information on adopting a healthy plant-based diet. It might feel odd at first to eat more than you’re used to, but that is because you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. The Law of Balance states that you have to overcorrect if you’re not balanced right now. In this case that means eating more than you usually do. So be prepared to have extra large meals and a stack of healthy and nutritious snacks lying around the house and the office, so you can eat whenever you feel like it. This, of course, doesn’t mean that you should eat more junk food. Combine eating more healthy food with a healthy dose of exercise to get your body in optimal shape and keep it that way.

Have fun and stay healthy!

Gerber

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