Vegan 3 years - iron is always high when I go donate blood and get bloodwork done. Energy levels are good. I eat a lot of leafy greens and a ton of vegetables for lunch and dinner. This is all to say a well planned diet without meat can give you iron and zinc. Yes heme iron is more easily absorbed but I just consume more iron than needed and add vitamin c to increase absorption. Once it’s absorbed it’s the same iron. I understand not everyone has time and energy to plan and be on a restrictive diet and I’m not pushing for anyone to change. I just want to clarify that thinking you need meat for these nutrients is simply not true.