Vegetarians

I am not a vegetarian, but I don't eat a lot of meat, so maybe I can help some.

Make sure you're not anemic.  Add an iron supplement to your diet but NOT with anything that has calcium in it.  Calcium blocks iron absorbtion, so take it in the evening with plain water or something low in calcium.

I eat a lot of beans and brown rice. When beans and corn or beans and rice are eaten together, they make a complete protein. If fat isn't a problem for you, peanut butter can help as well.

How old are you?  If you are going into menopause, this could be part of the problem.  Get a check up and see what your doctor says.

Do you eat beans or legumes (or dairy products) every day?? It's really important that you get a sufficient amount of protein so you don't become hypoglycemic (tired all the time, etc).  Sometimes eating mostly starches and vegetables can cause quick drops in blood sugar. 

I'm vegetarian
Lets see... I takes a women's multi vitamin (Solgar) and have a protein shake daily (golean or Spirutein).. do some research on your specific needs, health issues and find out what supplements woudl benefit you.
For protein there are... beans, nuts, hummus, eggs, nonfat cottage cheese, yogurt and a trillion really cool meat substitutes from veggie burger to veggie sausages, hotdogs, even fake ribs There is soy sandwich meat that's not too bad called veggie slices. Tempeh and miso have protein... tofu, wheat seitan, seeds, and nuts as well.

Make sure you have enough fruits and veggies. I love to look up different fruit and veggies smoothie combos to make every day. I make different salads with different veggies so I don't get bored. Just google "vegetarian recipes"! There's a website called www.vegsource.com with a ton of boards, and one on recipes.
Moosewood cookbooks are great with plenty of options.

So, I'm just taking a multi vitamin now, is there anything else I should be taking?

It's funny, Willow has more supplements than I do. 

This is so helpful, thank you everyone.  I'm starting to panic a little.  I don't want to damage my health.
 
To answer the question--I'm 34, could stand to lose a few lbs, but still active.  And, I do eat tons of starch and dairy, which I think is starting to mess me up, it's too much and not enough other stuff.  I've noticed (over the past couple of years) my hair is thinning and it used to be really, really thick.

By any chance are you taking any type of birth control pills/patches?  Something similar started with me around that age until last year when the doc took me off.
Has to do with the estrogen/progestrin levels in your system.  Hormone balance may be off.  Just a thought.

It did start when I started the Depo shot for birth control.  They did tell me it could be a side effect, they said like 2% of women have hair loss and I did.  So, I only had I think 2 or 3 shots and it's been years since I stopped them.  But, the hair never came back to where it was.  And, now I'm not sure if the diet is lacking and making the situation worse. 

You're probably fine on protein.

Go get a b complex That will likely help you out, quite a bit.

I'm almost vegan. I had an egg, in my fried rice tonight. I occasionally have an egg. I never eat dairy, meat, or seafood. I take a multi, a b complex, flax seed oil, and joint supplements. I need the flax, b/c my skin is so dry, and it helps my joints, some. I'm really not that big on supplements (weird, since I work in a health food store) b/c I tend to believe that you should get most of what you need from your diet. These folks that take dozens of supplements a day, and spend more than I make in a month.... don't look that much healthier than I am. And besides, how do they fit food in their stomachs?

You need to make sure you are eating beans and legumes so that you are fulfilling your essential amino acid requirements.  This could be contributing to hair thinning

Oh, thyroid!!!

If you haven't lately, go have your thyroid checked. A few extra pounds and thinning hair, along with that run down feeling, go along with hypothyroidism.

I will, I'm going for a check up within the next few weeks.  And, I'll have blood work before it. 
 
Jennie--Can you post a link to any brand of the B complex?  I just want to see what I'm looking for.  Thanks.

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Sublingual is best. You'll absorb it better.

Thanks! 

I just recently went vegetarian and asked a lot of people for tips. Most people told me that it's quite easy to get enough protein as a vegetarian, what you really need to be vigilant about are iron and B vitamins. Eat a lot of spinach, dark green veggies, alfalfa sprouts are really good, and supplements help too. Also, I don't know if you're into Indian food but almost everyone I've asked said Indian's the way to go for vegetarianism... I have started cooking Indian meals at home, with jasmine rice, tofu, beans or spinach and curry sauces... delicious!

ORIGINAL: outdoorschik
Lets see... I take a women's multi vitamin (Solgar

I take these also. Best women's multi vitamin I've found. I think a good multi vitamin will definitely help you feel better. If I forget to take them, I can always feel a difference in my body.