What changes since becoming vegetarian?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
What changes since becoming vegetarian?
8
Tue, 12-27-2005 - 7:47pm
I was curious to know what changes many of you saw/felt after becoming vegetarian and vegan? Like many who visit this board, I'm contemplating it. After reading all the literature about animal treatment and the fact that I have very high cholesterol at only 33, it is a real possiblity. I love veggies, tofu, and soy burgers, so I don't see a problem. I do have insulin resistance though, so I have to be careful with too many carbs. Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2003
Wed, 12-28-2005 - 9:16pm

I think most of the changes I saw were "digestive".....I noticed that when I started eating vegetarian my stools became more frequent, softer and larger in volume.
I know it sound gross but I think that this is certainly a benefit of not eating meat....you don't have all the "sewage" backed up for days waiting for this meat to be digested. It can take up to 3 days for beef to be digested and pass through the intestines! Bah!
This alone instantly gave me more energy....and now I'm taking in a lot more natural fibre and water in my food.
People tell me that I have a nice glow to my skin....I think it's because of all the great vitamins and nutrients that I'm getting from my food.
I don't eat much soy and no pre-packaged fake meat...I was eating them for a few years but they were making BF feel sick so now we eat about 75 - 80% raw foods.
We really cut down on the starches too....we were eating too much pasta and bread and rice so we are only eating this at dinner time. We have also virtually eliminated dairy products. BF still likes to have some butter once in a while and the occasional egg.
We used to eat a TON of cheese! Blech! I don't miss it.
BF's skin is really good now too.....he used to have some mild acne but it is gone now and his skin is beautiful!

Nathalie

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2003
Sun, 01-01-2006 - 12:53pm

I have a number of health issues, which started developing at the same time I went vegetarian. That, and the fact that it was in '97, makes it a bit hard for me to say. In fact, last year my grandmother found an opprotunity to say that I wasn't sick before I went vegetarian... she was a bit surprised when I told her the list of symptoms I had in high school (went veg the day I was dropped off at college) and my father, who happens to have a Ph.D in biochemistry and is a carnivore (and was quite worried for the first year or two after I went veg until he could see how I was balancing my diet), backed me up... My problems are the result of genetics combined with environmental triggers (in many cases triggering each other, but that's another story)


I believe that being a vegetarian helps me. I have a condition that used to affect my digestion (that I control through not eating wheat and other grains that trigger it- as long as I don't eat them things work normally) and there were 5 or 6 years between the time I went veg and my diagnosis. During those years my poor body wasn't having to fight to digest meat. I eat more vegetables and fruit than most people, and I believe that I am benefited by the nutrients in them. Some USDA articles now say that a meateater's diet, if well planned, can be as healthy as a vegetarians. It used to be the other way around (not that a vegetarian diet doesn't need to be thought out)


I am not the picture to hold up to the world and say "see what being a vegetarian can do" because so many, like Grandma, would only see my health issues and the timing. Sure, I had to take a

Jaseann

co-cl-Celiac Disease

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Registered: 05-12-2003
Thu, 01-05-2006 - 8:25pm

Nathalie,

What is a typical menu for you every day being vegan? Is it very hard? If I could go vegan, that would be even better. I do love cheese, but I could live without it!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2003
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 8:34am

Well, I'm definitely not vegan because I still eat eggs maybe 3 or 4 a week and butter.
I did go though a year and a half when i did not eat eggs but I still had butter.

A typical day for BF and I is:

7:00 AM - large fruit salad, coffee lately this has been made with clementines, fresh pineapple and red seedless grapes. BF likes to eat a homemade muffin at this time

9:00 AM - Banana for me BF eats his fruit salad

11:00 AM - More fruit or more banana...it depends how hungry I am...jasmine tea

1:00 PM - Large salad (I have a 5 cup container that I fill up)I like romaine , bell peppers(red, yellow and orange), baby spinach, arugula, carrots, red cabbage, grape tomatoes, avocado, lime juice , olive oil, lots of garlic...sometimes I'll throw in a hard boiled egg. BF really likes those, he will eat two eggs but not every day. sometimes he gets dinner leftovers for lunch because he gets tired of eating salad.

4:00 PM - Homemade trail mix....I buy all sorts of raw nuts, seeds, and dried fruits mix them all together in a large container and keep it in the fridge I scoop out 1/2 a cup into a sandwich bag I eat this with herbal tea . It doesn't seem like much but is very satisfying and filling and keeps me happy until dinner time.

6:15PM - I use the juicer to make us an appetizer cocktail with 1/2 a bunch of celery, 2 apples, a head of romaine or kale if I have it , a lime, a small knob of ginger. we sip on that while we make dinner.

7:00PM - This is when we eat cooked food. I'll make either a big veggie stir fry with rice or rice noodles, baked yams and steamed spinach corn-on-cob, pasta with mushroom and tomato sauce, homemade fries with cole slaw, eggs and toast with butter, roasted veggie platter with potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms,peppers, garlic.

9:30 PM - if we are in the mood we will sometimes have a cup of tea with a hunk of 70% cocoa chocolate.

I hope this gives you some ideas....if you need more info please feel free to ask. I can give you some recipes too if you like.

I never feel deprived when I eat like this.

Nathalie

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2005
Sat, 01-14-2006 - 11:29am
I've never ate meat so I couldn't tell you about changes since there aren't any but I've noticed that I have alot more energy than the people I know who do eat meat, and I feel less stress. I personally believe that humans where not created to eat meat (although thats not the reason I don't) so our bodies have a hard time breaking it down. If you're thinking about going veg I say try it.. there are three types of vegetarians, Vegan (friuts, veggies, tufo), Locto Ovo (like vegan but w/ milk and eggs), and Simi Veggie (only white meat). I would start w/ simi veggie and work up to what you feel better w/.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2004
Thu, 01-26-2006 - 9:26pm

Nathalie, can I come and live with you? lol. I like your diet and you seem so disciplined. I think it helps that your bf is supportive and that you both share this lifestyle together. I'm vegetarian (since 2000) and in the beginning, I went off of dairy, wheat, white flour and meat - suggestions from a naturopath. I was having so many digestive problems and the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong so I went to a naturopath. It was really hard at first but I learned what to eat and got the hang of it. I moved away to University and even though my roommate wasn't vegetarian, she had healthy eating habits and it helped me tremendously to eat healthy and be more aware of my eating habits. I lost weight in my first year of University (15lbs.) and felt good. It also helped that the University I attended, had healthy foods in their cafeteria's, catering many of their menus to vegetarians. However, I noticed that as time went on and problems/issues arouse (roommate problems, school, money etc.) I began to neglect my healthy eating habits and began to not feel great anymore. As a result of my poor eating habits, I gained my weight back.

I have struggled with my weight for a long time. I use to weigh 213lbs. and started my first diet at age 14. I am 33 now and have come a long way - learning to move away from strict diets and excessive workouts. I am learning how to cope with my emotions and feelings. I am working on changing my thought patterns and challenging my negative internal chatter or dialogue. I have learned that this whole process was not about food but about being healthy in all respects and learning as well as using coping mechanisms to deal with lifes' issues - which I am still working on. I'm not 100% but I would like to achieve 80-90% and be at a healthier weight and mind fram.

I had reached 138lbs. (23% body fat) last year and felt good and liked how I looked but due to certain circumstances in my life, (painful relationship break-up, moving back home, completing my BEd., and started supply teaching) I found it difficult to stay committed to my healthy eating and workout regime. I eventually got back into it but it wasn't the same. When I was with my ex, he was encouraging and supportive with a healthy eating and workout lifestyle because he is a personal trainer. It helped! I still live at home for a few reasons and I find it really hard to get the support from my family. I come from a European background and it's hard getting them to understand what I need from them. There are a lot of tempting foods in the house and it's hard getting them from bringing it in - no matter how many chats, or lectures I have given them. Trust me, I have tried. I am trying to work on this on my own because I realize that I need and want to feel better about myself as well as lose the 10lbs. that I have gained since last year. I don't feel good about myself and I am not feeling comfortable with the weight gain. I feel very self conscious and it bothers me a lot. I am working on being mindful of how and what I am eating. I'm trying to take this one step at a time.

I can relate to how you feel - when you talked about going to the bathroom more frequently and noticing the size of your stools, etc. I won't get into that. lol. But I did notice this in my first year of University and I felt great but I'm sad to say that I haven't felt like that in a long time. So, after rambling on about so much - which I'm not even sure why but I think I just needed to vent so I did - I wanted to ask you some questions.

1. Where do you get your protein from?
2. How long have you been a vegetarian?
3. Do you take any vitamins? e.g., B complex, calcium/magnesium
4. Do you have cravings? I am having trouble with the sugar thing and I still will get into the ice-cream even though I don't always enjoy it and I end up paying for it later. I noticed when I don't eat properly, I get gas.
5. How do you handle external situations? e.g., parties, dinners, temptations - do you have any?
6. Do you have any suggestions on how to handle my situation at home? I am wondering if it's just me and do I need to learn how to better handle or cope with it because even when I'm at a school, there are times when teachers bring in junk food into the staff room and I have to deal with it. I've always been an emotional eater and even though becoming vegetarian has helped me in so many ways, I have noticed that I have returned to some of my unhealthy behavioural patterns.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated from anyone.
Thanks.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2003
Sat, 01-28-2006 - 10:43pm

Hi Isabella,

LOL! I'm way up here in Canada...not sure where you are from.
I'm a very disciplined person but I wasn't always this way and I do have times when I "fall off the wagon"....I didn't go to ballet class for about 6 weeks! very bad!! and I went this week for the first time and now I'm quite sore and feeling the pain!
I have been going for over 7 years so once in a while I take a break. it's amazing how quickly I lose my abilities though! Bah!

1. Where do you get your protein from?

I don't get too hung up on protein....I eat lots of fruits vegetables and a bit of tofu and a few eggs and occasional cheese. I do not drink milk! blech!

2. How long have you been a vegetarian?
Almost 4 years now steady and back in the mid 1980's I was vegetarian for a few years too!

3. Do you take any vitamins? e.g., B complex, calcium/magnesium
I only take a B-complex vitamin

4. Do you have cravings? I am having trouble with the sugar thing and I still will get into the ice-cream even though I don't always enjoy it and I end up paying for it later. I noticed when I don't eat properly, I get gas.
Yes!I have cravings! We (BF and I) have a long standing Saturday morning routine of going to a local bakery where e get a sweet goodie (today it was a huge pecan sticky bun) and then a small treat like a bar or a few cookies or an eclair(we usually split one) to have on Sunday night. That handles my sweet cravings nicely...when I'm craving something salty like potato chips I'll have a few olives or a pickle instead and that will take care of it.
I have a 1/2 cup of my homemade trail mix as an afternoon snack every day...it has equal parts of walnut halves, pistachios, raisins, dried cranberries, pepitas and sunflower seeds. I swear that this is what keeps me from craving a lot of foods that are not so good for me. You have to make sure that you are getting some (good) fats in your diet and chewing satisfaction is important too.

5. How do you handle external situations? e.g., parties, dinners, temptations - do you have any?
These happen very seldom so I don't worry about them too much. I try to have a snack before I go out somewhere so i'm not starving :)
We have a lot of potluck type lunches at work (I work in a big call centre)and everybody likes to have an excuse to eat....it's the start of tax season, it's the middle of tax season, it's the end of tax season.....you get the picture?LOL!

6. Do you have any suggestions on how to handle my situation at home? I am wondering if it's just me and do I need to learn how to better handle or cope with it because even when I'm at a school, there are times when teachers bring in junk food into the staff room and I have to deal with it. I've always been an emotional eater and even though becoming vegetarian has helped me in so many ways, I have noticed that I have returned to some of my unhealthy behavioural patterns.

I think it's very hard when you are living with family because all those old feelings and dynamics come into play.
The best advice that I can give is to just try to eat the best that you can and exercise.....if you don't exercise no amount of dieting will help you. it's not an easy thing to motivate oneself to exercise....this is not easy for me or anyone else that I know....I just try to remind myself that my job is very sedentary and that I NEED to move my body!
Have some of the things that you like and crave but make sure that you are not doing this on a daily basis. If you are getting pressure from your family to eat what they cook the I would suggest to avoid fights and have a small portion of what they are having but have a huge salad to fill up your plate...this way everyone will be happy :)

Nathalie

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2004
Mon, 01-30-2006 - 12:35am

Hi,

I'm from Canada too! I live in Ontario, Canada. That's so weird but interesting. lol.

Thanks for responding to my message. I appreciate it.

I guess because of my goals (losing weight and wanting a more tight, defined look) I was getting hung up on protein but also because I am vegetarian and I wanted to make sure that I got enough in my diet everyday. Also, I have PCOS and I notice that when I do eat well, meaning that I focus on grains, veggies, fruits, nuts/seeds, and protein, I feel much better and I tend to have less cravings. I think because of my past issues with weight, I keep putting restrictions on my diet - no sugar, cut down on sugar/junk food, eat more protein and veggies, no eating after 7p.m., no white flour products, etc. I don't see anything wrong with these choices but I give in very easily to these types of foods when I am bored, lonely and/or feeling anxious. Anxiety seems to be a 'biggie' for me. I didn't learn how to express myself in a healthy way whether it be anger or frustration so I turned to food a lot which meant that I suppressed my feelings. In return, my feelings stayed buried. I am working on being more assertive by practicing to speak up more and not being so afraid to say what I think or feel. It takes practice.

I enjoy working out very much. I haven't been working out much lately because I was sick for the past week (sinus/cold) but also because I was feeling a little bummed out about my routine and the atmosphere at my gym. Something happened that upset me and I took it personally and allowed it to upset me. I am working on not taking things personally and not taking responsibility for other peoples' actions and inconsiderate/rude behaviour. I'm very sensitive about things so it is taking time for me to let go. I think that's another reason why I turn to food so easily - comfort. I switched gyms last year because my ex- worked at the other one and I decided to leave because it was too hard to be there. I later joined one closer to home - all women. It's fine but sometimes I find that being around women all the time can be too much and I need a change of environment. I can't wait for the nice weather to arrive. However for now, I want to make the most of it and enjoy being at the gym without feeling uncomfortable because of another person.

I am going to have to find a way to deal with the 'food situation' at home. It is hard when everyone has different eating habits and meal plans. I would love to get rid of the junk in the house and stock the cupboards and fridge with healthier choices. I also wish that my family was more health conscious and supportive. They do try sometimes but it's not enough for me. I think ultimately, I need to find a better way or strategy of how to deal with it. I'm the one that sneaks food, overeats and eats late. They are not the ones who are wanting to lose weight and worry about what they are eating. I can't expect them to change to accomodate me. I also think it will be easier for me once I get my own place and I can control what comes into my home. Even then, there will always be temptations - work, restaurants, parties, holidays, etc. I need to work on setting goals not only for weight loss but also how to deal with tempting situations and my emotions. I know this but like everybody else, it's easier said than done. I am thinking of the Nike slogan - 'Just Do It!'

Thanks for your encouragement and advice. I have been reading other peoples' postings and I can tell that I'm not the only one having a hard time with sticking to a healthy diet and having the support of family. It's comforting and very helpful to have this site for support.