The vegan diet is rich in antioxidants, dietary fiber, and water. This is the main reason why some people experience several vegan detox symptoms. Some are negative while other symptoms are quite positive.
People who have been eating junk for the most part of their life mostly experience the negative vegan detox symptoms. See, you have made your body accustomed to toxins and all sorts of unhealthy components. The antioxidants, water, and fiber in your new vegan diet fight with the overload of toxins to replace this entire system and replenish your body cells naturally.
The good news is that once this fight is over, you start enjoying the positive vegan detox symptoms like everyone else.
So which symptoms am I referring to?
The Positive Vegan Detox Symptoms
Increased Energy
Once you transition to a vegan, you will either feel more energetic or fatigued (I will discuss more on energy loss later). Of course, the nuts and cereals are full-packed with energy. And since we have limited protein options, the vegan diet is rich in carbohydrates which break down easily to release energy.
Vegetables such as kale and spinach are rich in iron, which promotes metabolism.
And no, you don’t feel hungry faster. The same fiber-rich nuts and vegetables keep you full throughout the day. When I transitioned to the vegan diet, I used to forget the usual mealtimes because my breakfast kept me full until late in the afternoons. And this is excellent if you want to lose weight.
Lustrous skin
A month after starting the vegan diet you will notice your skin glowing. Most fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which clears up your skin’s toxins and dead cells.
Noticeable Hair and Nails Growth
Foods such as broccoli, spinach, berries, almonds, are rich sources of biotin, vitamin E, calcium, and protein, which are essential for hair and bone growth.
No More Cravings
In additions to the fibers filling you up, you get more minerals from a plant-based diet than an animal-based diet. We experience cravings because of lacking some minerals in the body (unless you’re pregnant). As long as you eat a balanced vegan diet, cravings will be a thing of the past.
More Concentration
Legumes and vegetables are rich in blood protein and iron as well as other essential nutrients. These work together to keep your brain cells more nourished and hence your focus and concentration improve.
Increased libido
Once you are off dairy milk, your body generates more Estrone, the sex hormone. This hormone is also important in preparing you for pregnancy and bone development. The hormone also stimulates the production of Serotonin, the mood-balancing chemical. And this is ideal for women especially towards menopause, right?
For women, your periods will less painful because of the same hormonal changes.
The Negative Vegan Detox Symptoms
Bloating
The vegetable and nuts diet is rich in fiber. If you never used to eat foods rich in fiber, your tummy will have indigestion problems leading to bloating.
Nausea
Nausea is also largely contributed to indigestion. Your tummy feels full and uncomfortable, and therefore, you feel like throwing up after meals.
Acne
Once you start ingesting vegetables rich in antioxidants, they start to get rid of excess fats and dead skin almost immediately. And since these can only be secreted through your skin, acne erupts.
Decrease in energy
This happens to people who were used to having a heavy animal protein diet in the morning. Things like bacon, eggs, and chicken. These are foods high in calories. Once you withdraw them, your body reacts.
Fatigue
If your body doesn’t feel energized, you will suffer from fatigue. Most people will also complain of watery eyes, migraine, runny nose, and body aches. Luckily, all these negative symptoms have a solution.
Solutions to Counter the Negative Effects
#1
For the digestive tract blockages, try Colonics and Enemas. Forcefully flushing out the toxins blocking your digestive tract is the quickest way to deal with bloating and nausea. These are best administered by a professional clinic.
#2
Keep your body hydrated at all times. Drinking plenty of clean water and natural fruit juices will help fill the energy gap you have created. They also help to clear out acne and skin problems. Avoid vegetable juices while at the negative vegan detox symptoms stage. They only make you worse. Fight the toxins in your body gradually.
#3
Ensure you get plenty of sleep. Doctors advise us to have at least 7-9 hours of sleep every day. Once you transition to a vegan diet, get 10 hours of sleep or more if possible. When you sleep, your body redirects all your energy to healing and rejuvenation. That is why you wake up feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep. And if you have a sleepless night, you feel irritable and clumsy in the morning, right?
#4
Have regular detox salt baths (Epsom salts) and use essential oils. Detox baths target the nerves and muscles. They are, therefore, the ideal solution if you feel aches and muscle cramps. Essential oils, on the other hand, target your skin and brain. Inhaling them (using a diffuser) or adding them to your bath water will help you relax better and take care of issues related to your sinuses (a runny nose and watery eyes).
#5
To take care of the energy problem, observe your diet. If you were used to a high protein breakfast, make sure you replicate the same amount of calories or even more. And then you can reduce them gradually. For example, a breakfast with Soymilk, chia seeds, and lentils is rich in protein.
Similarly, if you were used to fatty foods, try starting with the vegan Ketogenic diet. Avocadoes, tofu, and coconuts are some of the ingredients in this diet and they contain a good amount of healthy fat.
#6
Finally, exercise regularly; at least until the negative symptoms wear off. Exercises help with natural blood circulation. Include a session or 2 of deep tissue massage each month and regular meditation. You need to clear off your mind and connect with your spiritual realm. This will keep you motivated to continue on this journey.
In Conclusion
Different people experience different vegan detox symptoms. The intensity also varies. While some might not even notice any symptom, some will be on and off the diet for fear of getting worse. Don’t worry, the negative symptoms don’t last for more than 3-6 months. Make sure that your vegan diet is healthy and balanced in all meals. Once your body adjusts to the new routine, you will be glad you made that decision to go vegan.