About three weeks ago I had a test in school and I was on a vegetarian diet. I did get a steller mark and my mom thinks that it was due to my diet and the fact that I didn't get enough protein. Now she is worried that my brain doesn't get enough protein from a vegetarian diet (Ovo-Lacto) and she is afraid that I might not do well on my final exams in April if I continue this diet. Does a balanced vegetarian diet provide enough protein for optimal brain function? Does the brain need meat?
No, it doesn't. If your diet is balanced, your body will have everything it needs to work perfectly. Every meat eater thinks that if there's something wrong with a vegetarian it's because of a a lack of proteins. If your body needs something you don't provide, you'll experience fatigue (physical and mental) and a sense of illness. If you're not experiencing anything like this, I don't think your diet has something to do with your test. Besides carbohydrates (brain burns a lot of sugar) and other nutrients, brain needs sleep.
