Plant Based Diet/Vegan

[oceanchild]

I just saw this on the New York Times and thought of you: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/0...me&ref=general

[ides]

I just saw this on the New York Times and thought of you: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/0...me&ref=general

Thanks! I just read it. It appears that the vegan diet dh is following is the same as the one Bill Clinton is on. It's from the book 'Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease". Finding a balance is hard. I think I'll take up smoothies with protein powder, maybe make some muffins that have tofu in them or get good at tofu scramble. If I don't have the right balance of protein to carb or fat to carb then I sugar crash. Even with eating only whole grains. Guess we all have our diet woes. Maybe I'll try soy yogurt too. Time to experiment with more options. Frankly I'm kind of scared about my heart. I've always had borderline high cholesterol even though I don't eat meat. I know it's somewhat hereditary and I hope that cutting out dairy will be the key. I hope I don't have to cut out fat completely too. I am limiting them but nuts and avocado are awesome and really lend a lot to a vegetarian diet.

[Sheherezade]

I'm right there with you ides -- I've got heart disease in the family and also worry about it.

[BonBon]

I'm going to echo Spotty Dog and say to do your research. Examine different ways of eating, read studies, ask yourself "are these studies valid?" Oftentimes, the answer is no. I have done a lot of research over the past four years ( as a hobby) of different nutrition plans. The body is much more complex than "eating fat makes you fat" or "eating fat clogs your arteries". My own diet is at least 50% fat, my total cholesterol is 151 and triglycerides 37. BUT, I only eat natural sources, including the much maligned animal fat.

[HouseofWool]

Another thing to keep in mind that depriving the body of fat can mess with cholesterol levels as well, particularly the good cholesterol. (I know I read about this, but cannot find the source right now.)

You need at least some fats in your diet otherwise you can impair brain function.

Obviously, you know your situation best, but *MY* btdt experience was that being vegan wasn't healthy at all for me. Vegetarian was fine, but I love bacon too much to give it up completely again.

[ides]

According to the book Dh is reading you will get approximately 10% fat in your diet through plant sources.

I think everyones body processes stuff differently.

[rainbabies]

OMG! Me too!!! Loooove bacon. Lol
When we butchered our pig this year, all I cared about was the bacon. Haha!!

Vegetarian was fine, but I love bacon too much to give it up completely again.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

OMG! Me too!!! Loooove bacon. Lol
When we butchered our pig this year, all I cared about was the bacon. Haha!!

That's funny - I just like pork in general, but could take or leave bacon!