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Becky Parker
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| Posted: July 13 2009 at 7:38am | IP Logged
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For years i was a strict vegetarian. I was also anorexic, and there were many things I didn't eat other than meat  . I was not healthy, even though I was VERY thin. I am no longer anorexic, which the 40 pounds of extra weight I am carrying proves, but I'm wondering if going back to a healthy vegetarian diet would be healthy for me. I'm 45 and starting to feel like I just don't need meat any more. Can anyone tell me what the benefits of a vegetarian diet are? We don't eat gluten and dairy any more because I have two children that require a GFCF diet so that might make it a little difficult.
I guess I'm just thinking out loud and hoping for some good advice.
Thanks!
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bayleyfamily
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| Posted: July 16 2009 at 12:58pm | IP Logged
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Hi Becky,
I just recently went vegan, for health reasons(see post on rheumatoid arthritis), and have been reading TONS of books on vegetarian diets and health. I'm breastfeeding too so I also have baby to consider. All I can say is, I feel better after just one week. When i'm hungry, I eat. I dont worry about portion sizes and just make sure everything is balanced with fruits/veggies and beans/rice/nuts. I feel full and satisfied and hope to keep it up long-term. There are some great recipe websites out there. I've lost weight, but really this is just a nice "side effect." I'm eating for health and hopefully relief from RA symptoms.
Good luck and God Bless,
Kelly
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stacykay
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I have been wondering this very thing, Becky, so I am glad you have asked, so I can get the benefit of all who answer! 
I have developed an intolerance (?allergy?) to beef and pork. I simply cannot eat them without getting exceedingly sick. I have been left with turkey, chicken and tuna (the only fish I can stomach,) the past three years. I do eat eggs and dairy. BUT, I have been getting a bit sick of the meat portion of my diet and have been contemplating going vegetarian, but with dairy and eggs. Which isn't totally vegan, is it?
I am going to see what others suggest. And I would love to hear good book recommendations, too.
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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aussieannie
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I've done it all in my married life, started off on a regular diet then I went totally vegan for 5 years then went vegetarian for 2 and then went to the Nourishing Traditions so no longer vegetarian.
I was a stick when vegan and I initially thought it was all good because I felt the effects of not eating junk food and my skin looked good for that. I have to say though.. I was more prone to anger in that period and thought nothing of it until I read it can be so.  Veganism and heavy metal posioning (from years ago) was NOT a good combination. We gave up veganism when we saw side effects in myself, dh and the children, especially because we relied on soy quite a bit, alot of soy side effects. The children raised veganism had rotten teeth even though they never ate sugar (I was religiously strict with that during that period) maybe there were factors in that I have recognised, I can't rule it out. When I went to Nourishing Traditions I was able to keep a baby on breastmilk exclusively breastfed for longer, or should I say that's what the babies wanted as I only introduce solids if a baby is showing signs of wanting that.
My suggestion would be keep eggs and dairy products, fermented dairy being ideal in diet. I would even suggest that you make stocks from animal bones (I use only organic, free range chicken frames/skeletons these days) and use them liberally in your diet. You won't taste meat in your casseroles/soups etc if you use stocks, but they will taste rich and satisfying (stocks are great for that) and you will get the wonderful benefits from stocks. If I were to go back vegetarian again, that's how I'd do it.
I would say that it is an interesting challenge with some of the allergies in the home you mentioned, so frustrating that allergies are such a big thing in society these days.
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aussieannie
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| Posted: July 16 2009 at 4:20pm | IP Logged
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Kelly here is an article about the benefits of stocks and that stocks can help rheumatoid arthritis.
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: July 16 2009 at 5:53pm | IP Logged
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My experience is similar to Annie's. We were vegetarian for years. I feel a hundred times better on a higher protein diet. I wouldn't give up the eggs or dairy, and I'd incorporate fish if you are comfortable with that.
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pmeilaen
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I've always been interested in food and diets. I don't think there is an easy answer to this question, but it all depends on your stage in life, your age, your sex, your metabolism, and other variables. Nutritional typing is very helpful to find out what is a good diet for oneself. I've looked on my bookshelves and pulled out some books that might be helpful for you to investigate your questions further.
To learn more about nutritional typing, Dr. Mercola has a helpful test: Nutritional Typing. Elson Haas also addresses this in his book: The False Fat Diet.
The Ancient Indian system Ayurveda has a division of different types of people, called doshas. Here are two books that give a good introducion: Perfect Health and The Ageless Woman.
You could also look into blood type diets: Eat Right 4 Your Type and The GenoType Diet.
A woman who has combined the blood type diet and some insights from Ayurveda is Jennifer Workman: Stop Your Cravings.
A very good book on anthroposophical diet has been written by Wendy Cook: Foodwise. Anthroposophists promote a vegetarian diet, but include eggs and diary.
If you are interested in a vegan/raw food diet check out HallelujahAcres. Dr. Joel Fuhrman promotes an almost vegetarian/vegan diet in: Eat to Live.
Most of these diets don't allow pork and some don't allow beef. Dr. Haas gives a nice introduction to food sensitivities in his book. I found almost all of these books at my local library.
Good luck in your search.
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 8:30am | IP Logged
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Thank you all for your different perspectives and experiences with this. I think the main health issue I'm concerned about (besides the extra weight I want to lose) is a dizzy feeling I frequently get. It got bad enough that I went to the doctor. He checked my blood pressure, blood sugar, iron levels, ears etc. and they all came out normal. I'm wondering if it is something I am eating. I'm also wondering about the changes in our dietary needs as we grow older. I am 45 and I think i am beginning the pre-menopause stage, based on my wacky cycles. Maybe I just don't need so much meat any more.
I do intend to include eggs, some dairy and fish if I go this route. My vegan days are the days when I had an eating disorder and i don't want to go down that road, though I know that not all vegans are anorexic. That was just my problem. (I also don't think I would have the will power any more! )
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Jeanne
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 10:33pm | IP Logged
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I second Dr. Joel Furhman's book East to Live.
I have gone vegan because of health issues and have never felt better.
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Tina P.
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| Posted: July 20 2009 at 12:27pm | IP Logged
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Becky Parker wrote:
| I do intend to include eggs, some dairy and fish if I go this route. My vegan days are the days when I had an eating disorder and i don't want to go down that road, ) |
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Glad to hear this as I read somewhere (oh, no! I'm beginning to sound like my mom!  ) that your bones get weaker and you are more prone to osteoperosis if you give up eggs and dairy.
We tried, unsuccessfully, to go vegetarian for Lent this year. We only lasted a couple of weeks. And I found that in those two weeks I ate more junk food and even ate more just in general because I didn't fill up. I generally try to keep it out of the house, but when my husband shops and he is hungry it tends to creep in.
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Topic: Benefits of a vegetarian diet?
