Beauty Secrets Blog

If you are currently a vegetarian or if you are considering becoming one, you may be somewhat concerned about the effects that vegetarianism may have on your body’s systems, with some additional attention to bruising easily. The fact of the matter is that while there is an old wives’ tale that says that people who are vegetarians are subject to bruising, there is no reason that a little careful scrutiny of your diet can overcome it.

The first thing that we need to tackle is why the theory of vegetarians being prone to bruising exists at all. Typically, if a vegetarian, particularly a young one, suffers from bruising, this is seen as a sign of a vitamin deficiency. This can, and in some cases does, happen, but if you pay close attention to your diet and make sure that you are getting all of the foods and nutrients that you need, this should not be a problem. There are a host of problems that can result if you are shorting yourself a vitamin or mineral that you need, but there is nothing about a vegetarian diet that promotes bruising any more than any other diet.

If you are eating as a vegan and have discerned that you seem to tend toward increased bruising, you’ll discover that one thing that should be examined is the amount of iron available from your diet. Iron is a beneficial mineral when it comes to enhancing your immune system and promoting a healthier circulatory system. Iron can be found in much higher quantities in animal products than in vegetables, but vegetables also contain iron, just not as abundantly.

If you are a vegetarian, what are the best ways to put iron into your diet? First, look for dark green vegetables that are available at your local supermarket. Things like spinach and broccoli are going to be rich in iron, as will prunes, soy products, molasses and any cereals and breads that have been fortified with iron. Another fun way to make sure that you are going to get iron into your diet is to look into cooking with cast iron pans and pots.

Increasing your intake of vitamin C is another important way to increase the rate of iron absorption into your body. Vitamin C is really important in host of different aspects, so there are a multitude of reasons to raise your daily intake. Fruits are the most common source of vitamin C, of course, but more dinner and meal oriented vegetables, like sweet potatoes also provide added vitamin C.

If you are a practicing vegetarian, it is very important that you make sure that you are going to be able to eat a balanced diet, and easy bruising is one sign that you may need to focus on your diet a little more closely. Be mindful of what your body is trying to tell you, and make sure that you are eating what you need to eat to keep you healthy.