Dear Anai,

I am attempting to cut meat out of my diet. Eventually, I will try to eliminate processed foods and dairy, but I am not strong enough to do it all at once. My question is, if I replace meat as my main course with a starch, what supplements will I need. Any advice will be sincerely appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Tricia Stewart

Dear Tricia,

Unlike most who rush into the vegan diet and end up going back, your step-by-step approach may prove successful. Eliminate animal products from your diet at your own pace.

The problem most have when cutting back on meat is low iron levels. Instead of a starch, try dark green leafy veggies to replace the iron. To be sure the iron is absorbed properly, be sure to take vitamin C. The vitamin will help retain the iron much better.

Also, get a cookbook of vegan dishes. Once you see how many meals there are in the vegan diet you will not want to go back!

Thank you for writing!

Anai Rhoads
06 July 2003

© Copyright 2002 Anai Rhoads.