Vegan Returns to Meat After Blood Work Reveals Deficiencies

After five years of veganism, Tauja, a 47-year-old from Montreal, Canada, recently switched back to a meat-based diet. Known as @taujathesupreme on TikTok, she shared her story, warning, “Not everybody can be vegan.”

Her health journey, chronicled in a video with over 491,000 views, sheds light on the challenges some face with plant-based diets.

Health Decline on a Vegan Diet

Initially, veganism seemed promising for Tauja. She enjoyed the diet’s benefits, losing 20–30 pounds and finding relief from nausea and bloating caused by meat. Her diet featured dark leafy greens, fruit, and starchy foods like cassava yams.

However, after two years, she began experiencing unexpected health issues. Her diet lacked essential nutrients, leading to deficiencies in vitamins B, D, and K, which caused anemia.

“I was deficient in vitamins B, D, and K—I had to take magnesium, omega, and iron supplements,” she explained.

Throughout this period, Tauja’s diet seemed to worsen her symptoms. Potatoes caused skin issues like eczema, while wheat negatively affected her mental health.

Reflecting on her experience, she said, “We didn’t even think about the food. It was a year of running tests and trying medications.”

Switching Back to Meat

In July, Tauja adjusted her diet based on her type O blood, known for favoring high-protein foods like meat, fish, and vegetables while limiting grains and legumes. By August, she reintroduced red meat and fish into her diet, and within a month, her health transformed.

“Since I started eating red meat and fish, my anemia has reversed, along with prediabetes,” she shared, noting she no longer suffers from night sweats and feels significantly more upbeat.

Dietitian Elizabeth Brown, who spoke with Newsweek, attributes Tauja’s health improvements to the reintroducing of animal proteins.

“Zinc from animal sources is more easily absorbed,” Brown explained, adding that essential nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids in animal products contribute to energy, mood, and skin health.

Tauja’s story highlights the importance of tailoring diets to individual needs, illustrating that one diet doesn’t fit all.

Curious about balancing your diet with high-quality meats? Visit our homepage for insights, recipes, and tips on incorporating meat for optimal health.