The benefits of following a vegetarian diet are well known and well documented. But before making the leap to vegetarianism, it's also important to consider possible disadvantages of the diet. Some may be more relevant to your life than others, depending on how often you travel and what you eat daily, but it's wise to be aware of each factor's implications.
Protein Deficiency
Include dairy products, eggs, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds in your diet to make sure you're getting enough protein from various plant-based sources. One possible disadvantage of a vegetarian diet is a protein deficiency. Since vegetarians do not eat meat and meat is a primary source of protein in most humans' diets, it's conceivable that a vegetarian could have difficulty getting the recommended daily amount of protein.
Mineral Deficiencies
Follow a vegetarian food pyramid or eating recommendations from your doctor to make sure that you're getting all the vitamins and minerals you need in your daily diet. The Mayo Clinic states that as diets become more restrictive, it becomes more difficult for those who follow them to get a healthy balance of nutrients and vitamins. If a vegetarian is lactose-intolerant and does not eat dairy products, for example, that person becomes susceptible to calcium deficiency or vitamin B-12 deficiency. The Thagard Student Health Center notes that some vegetarians are also deficient in zinc, iron and vitamin D.
Dining Out
Choose restaurants that have good vegetarian options when you dine out. Some restaurants are unaware or inconsiderate of vegetarians' dietary restrictions and may combine plant-based and meat products with procedures such as pan-frying potatoes in bacon grease. It can be a challenge in some areas for vegetarians to find restaurants that offer meat-free entrees, and even when they do, it's difficult to guarantee that the kitchen properly separates equipment that's used to process meat and equipment that's used to process plant-based items.
Traveling
Bring back-up food options with you when you travel. Especially if you're going to another country, it's hard to know ahead of time what will be available to eat and how many options you'll have. In some locales, vegetarianism is virtually unheard of, and it can be a huge challenge to get the nutrients and foods you need during an extended stay. HealthGuidance points out that a strong disadvantage to being a vegetarian is having to explain your dietary choice over and over to people you meet. If people you encounter are not supportive or understanding of your choice, it can be irritating to have to defend what you eat and why.
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