Many of us have considered a restricted diet at least once in our lives, regardless of whether we’re engaged in one right now or not. Many of us also have friends or relatives who are cutting certain foods out of their diet for moral, religious, or health reasons. Indeed, many restricted diets seem healthy from the outside. On the other hand, some people look at veganism, gluten-free diets, and additional methods of restrictive dieting as healthy, but difficult, lifestyles.

However, while many practitioners of restricted diets have important, and sometimes medical, reasons for maintaining specific food consumption practices, jumping into a restricted diet without seeing the big picture can be unhealthy at best and dangerous at worst. When we remove certain types of food from our diets we also run the risk of cutting out essential nutrients. Let’s explore some of the things you can miss out on with a restricted diet and consider some options to make up for nutrients you’re might not be getting enough of.

Veganism

Vegans maintain a highly restrictive diet. By cutting out food that involves animal products, vegans don’t just avoid meat and fish, they also set aside cheese, honey, and eggs. Even more impactful can be the restrictions placed upon foods that involve animal products in their preparation. Something seemingly innocuous like a vegetable stir fry can be off limits if chicken stock is used in the sauce, which is quite common.

In avoiding these foods, people on or considering vegan diets can miss out on important nutrients such as vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and zinc. It’s not uncommon for vegans or vegetarians to take supplements in order to round out their diets. For those looking to give their body’s the required nutrients more directly, we recommend a B12 Vitamin Shot. Vitamin B12 helps you stay energized, keeps your immune system in good order, and contributes to nervous system function. Plus, the IV Boost B12 Vitamin Shot is free of any animal products.

Gluten-Free

In the past, having a wheat allergy or coeliac disease have been the only reasons to think about a gluten-free diet. In recent years, however, doctors have come to accept the existence of a non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Those who are sensitive to gluten often take up gluten-free dietary habits in order to improve digestion and comfort.

Whatever your reasons for considering a gluten-free diet, there are some things that you need to take into account. There are some risks to gluten-free diets as many glutenous foods contain important B vitamins. As well, foods like bread or pasta are often fortified with useful micronutrients such as iron and calcium. One study has suggested that gluten-free diets may be bad for the immune system. In order to make up for those missing B vitamins and give your immune system a boost, we recommend a Myers Cocktail. The Myers Cocktail contains the B vitamins that gluten-free dieters need to make up along with components that help your immune system and help you maintain your energy throughout the day.

Paleo

One of the more recent restricted diets on the block, the popular paleo diet asks practitioners to eat as they imagine a Paleolithic caveman would. This includes lots of natural foods like meat, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Processed foods like pasta and cereal are out. While paleo is a favourite for people who want to watch what they eat, but enjoy tasty foods like steak and avocado, there are some things dieters should be aware of. Health professionals warn that, without processed wheat products, the paleo diet can leave us without enough calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for healthy bones and muscles, but it also plays a role in our mood. People who don’t get enough vitamin D are at a higher risk for depression, according to a recent study.

In order to make up for lost vitamin D, we recommend a vitamin D Shot. This shot delivers the nutrients straight to your cells, where it will help keep them healthy. The shot can also help relieve stress and anxiety through the mood-enhancing effects of vitamin D.

Many people adopt restricted diets for good reasons. If you’re thinking about a restricted diet or you’re already on one, make sure that you’re still getting all of the nutrients that you need. When it comes time to make up your nutrient intake in deficient areas, be sure to choose healthy, safe options that are consistent with your dietary restrictions.