Opinion on low carb?
Loganmmontgomery
Posts: 47 Member
Any opinions or pros/cons?
What other things work well for long term weight loss?
What other things work well for long term weight loss?
0
Replies
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Some people find it easier to restrict calories (and therefore lose weight) when they eat a diet that is lower in carbohydrates. It can be a good plan if you're in that camp and you don't mind eating that way. But some people have problems sustaining it.
To lose weight, all you need is to consume fewer calories than you burn.17 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Some people find it easier to restrict calories (and therefore lose weight) when they eat a diet that is lower in carbohydrates. It can be a good plan if you're in that camp and you don't mind eating that way. But some people have problems sustaining it.
To lose weight, all you need is to consume fewer calories than you burn.
This^
Is a low(er) carb diet something you can see yourself eating for the rest of your life? Some people have medical issues with regards to carbs, that gives them an extra incentive for a low carb lifestyle.
Losing the weight is just the first step. Keeping the weight off takes work too. Such a large % of people gain back to weight they lost.6 -
If it is sustainable for you and you like it then eat that way. If your favorite food is pasta, rice, bread, etc it is probably going to be hard to sustain long term. Weight loss is about calories though not type of food so work with the foods you like.
I eat the food I always did mostly. I look at calories first then at meeting my protein goal and try to get several servings of vegetables or fruit a day. Not too complicated. I've found I am usually under the carb goal doing this even though I am not making an effort to eat low carb.4 -
All the advice you need is contained in the first two posts!4
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I agree with @MissusMoon with one additional comment: if you have PCOS, Type II diabetes, or Metabolic Syndrome, a sustainable reduced carb food plan (one you can live with) may enhance your chances for success.5
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I'm lower carb-and type 2 diabetic and it is helping with weightloss-for me. 34 lbs down.4
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For some people it works and for others it doesn't. I tried it twice and couldn't sustain it. Was always hungry, cranky, tired and constipated. High carb, high protein, low fat, is what personally works for me (keeps me full, energized, "regular", and lost over 50 pounds on it). But everyone is different. Just make sure to stay within your calorie goals. Trial and error until you find out what works for you?
Ps- my mom lost her weight on low carb, high fat.5 -
I try to eat healthier carb options and I don't rely on a daily consumption of cereal grains, which was a freeing decision. Typically, I eat 75-130 grams of carbohydrate per day. When I focus by accurately tracking, weighing, and measuring, I lose weight. If you are interested in going very low carb, you'll increase fat or protein or both. I always recommend folks check with their doctors prior to using high protein or keto as there can be side effects in some people.0
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Personal preference!
Try different macro ratios until you find one that is sustainable for you.3 -
The most important thing is finding a way of eating that you can stick with FOREVER. For me, this means eating whatever I want. Whatever. No bad foods no good foods. Just lots of things to eat.7
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logandiekmann15 wrote: »Any opinions or pros/cons?
What other things work well for long term weight loss?
Personally, I think that as long as you are consuming complex carbs (oats, quinoa, Ezekial bread, etc.) then it is acceptable to eat carbs in moderation. Did you know even carrots have carbs? Carbs are a source of energy. If you are just cutting calories, it may be a viable option to simply cut out carbs since they typically have a larger abundance of calories, but if you are weight-lifting, carbs are almost crucial to your diet. I tried to go low-carb for a while and felt like I was dragging extensively, losing strength, etc.0 -
Reducing carbs makes it easier for me to stay in a calorie deficit, as I find protein and fat more filling.
Absent a medical condition that requires it, I wouldn't go low carb.3 -
I happily eat a low carb diet but it's a tough ask for a lot of people. Here's a great beginners guide for low carb: Low carb for beginners
Pay particular attention to the pics of the food. You'll notice there's a lot of produce, meats, nuts and cheeses. It can be expensive and requires some basic cooking skills to eat a varied, satisfying low carb diet, in my experience.
If low carb is a huge change from how you eat now I think your best bet is just to log your food in MFP and stick to your calorie goal. Once you have calorie counting under your belt and you're losing weight there's no harm in experimenting with different macros and foods. It's ok to just start and figure out what works for you as you go along.2 -
I ate low carb once upon a time. I did Atkins for a year straight but after that went through periods of doing low carb then binging on high carb food in excess of what I should had eaten (too many calories). Over the span of a few years I would lose weight then go all out on carbs (specifically fast food) and gained a bunch of weight back. I finally came to the realization that it just wasn't for me. Could I live without certain foods? Probably. Did I want to? Not really. It was so stressful always thinking of all the food I couldn't have. Now I eat around 150-200g of carbs a day and I'm MUCH happier. CICO has worked just as well for weight loss. If it's a way you can eat for the rest of your life, go for it. No point in torturing yourself just to lose weight, though.1
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Low carb works great for my husband, but I couldn't last more than three weeks. I missed my favorite foods.0
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Low carb can help people, especially those with insulin resistance and CAD. For weight loss, many of us, often those with health issues, find that a LCHF diet reduces your appetite and carb/sugar cravings, and has a slight thermogenic benefit when compared to a higher carb diet. I also think LCHF foods are naturally healthier for you as most exclude baked goods and sweets which are often nutritionally pretty sparse.
For me the pros were easier weight loss and appetite control, better BG and inslin levels, better skin, steadier energy and lower inflammation.
For me the cons were just walking away from certain foods. Not many, but there are some foods like soda that i won't eat anymore.... That's it.0 -
godlikepoetyes wrote: »The most important thing is finding a way of eating that you can stick with FOREVER. For me, this means eating whatever I want. Whatever. No bad foods no good foods. Just lots of things to eat.
^^^THIS^^^ You have to eat in a way you want to eat FOREVER if you want to maintain your weight loss. Seriously.1 -
If you try it, check out sugar free Sheila's site.. sugarfreesheila.com She's been low carbing for over 10 years. I tried it and got to my goal but couldn't stick with it. Good luck whatever you decide!0
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No one should be afraid of carbs!! Your body runs on sugar so you need them! High carb, low fat vegan lifestyle is the best for the body. I don't mean vegan junk food and prosessed vegan foods, but whole foods like rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Plus vegan lifestyle makes you feel amazing, and it's better for the whole world! And don't give me that "where do you get your proteins from". Please do some research.3
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ThinnerIsMe wrote: »No one should be afraid of carbs!! Your body runs on sugar so you need them! High carb, low fat vegan lifestyle is the best for the body. I don't mean vegan junk food and prosessed vegan foods, but whole foods like rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Plus vegan lifestyle makes you feel amazing, and it's better for the whole world! And don't give me that "where do you get your proteins from". Please do some research.
Agreed! I'm no vegan but I eat high (complex) carb, low fat and have leaned out, lost weight, improved exercise performance as well as appetite control, fullness, energy, etc. Carbs are not evil lol.1 -
My opinion: great for short term weight loss and contest preplogandiekmann15 wrote: »Any opinions or pros/cons?
What other things work well for long term weight loss?
Not so great for long term if you happen to enjoy things like bread, potatoes, and desserts.
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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ThinnerIsMe wrote: »No one should be afraid of carbs!! Your body runs on sugar so you need them! High carb, low fat vegan lifestyle is the best for the body. I don't mean vegan junk food and prosessed vegan foods, but whole foods like rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Plus vegan lifestyle makes you feel amazing, and it's better for the whole world! And don't give me that "where do you get your proteins from". Please do some research.
Or you could just eat reasonable amounts of all macronutrients, including carbohydrates AND fat.2 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Some people find it easier to restrict calories (and therefore lose weight) when they eat a diet that is lower in carbohydrates. It can be a good plan if you're in that camp and you don't mind eating that way. But some people have problems sustaining it.
To lose weight, all you need is to consume fewer calories than you burn.
This is true. My husband can't control himself when it comes to bread, pasta, rice, etc. If he has one slice of bread he will binge and eat 1/2 loaf, for instance. So low carb helps him.
I love potatoes and feel satisfied after eating one baked or a couple boiled with veggies and lean protein. I'm not a big bread or pasta person but like starchy veggies like lima beans, petite peas, etc. If I have complex carbs I feel terrific. Simple carbs like sugar and refined flour profucts make me crave more and I feel awful after consuming them. Everyone is different.0 -
ThinnerIsMe wrote: »No one should be afraid of carbs!! Your body runs on sugar so you need them! High carb, low fat vegan lifestyle is the best for the body. I don't mean vegan junk food and prosessed vegan foods, but whole foods like rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Plus vegan lifestyle makes you feel amazing, and it's better for the whole world! And don't give me that "where do you get your proteins from". Please do some research.
Nonsense. Your body is equally capable of "running" on fat. If you prefer vegan for whatever reason, great, I'm glad you found what works for you, but that doesn't mean it's best for everyone (and the impact on the planet isn't exactly as clear cut as many vegans would like to believe). All that is required for weight loss is a calorie deficit, regardless of what types of foods you choose. Yes most people feel better eating minimally processed foods and less "junk", but that's true regardless of dietary framework. Personally I feel best on a diet that incorporates plenty of animal products and limits sugar and starch.
Forget protein, that's easy to come by. I do wonder where vegans get DHA and EPA (conversion of ALA is unpredictable, inefficient, and tends to wane over time), and where vegan children, older folks, and those who are pregnant or nursing get their cholesterol (there are no plant based sources of cholesterol and dietary cholesterol is one of the things that allowed us to develop the large brains that make us human; yes, healthy young adult males are capable of producing all they need and therefore don't require a dietary source, but not everyone is a healthy young adult male).
OP- what dietary framework you decide to use is really a matter of personal preference, nothing more. There are healthy and unhealthy food choices within any way of eating out there. I find LCHF to be easiest and most sustainable for me (been doing it for three years, come July, and have easily kept a healthy weight since the initial 50lb loss). But I have a strong family history of IR, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and Alzheimer's, not to mention a personal history of reactive hypoglycemia - I come from a group of people who just don't handle sugar and starch very well
. So it's no big surprise that I do better strictly limiting grains, fruit, and starchy veg. You just need to find what works best for you!
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tlflag1620 wrote: »ThinnerIsMe wrote: »No one should be afraid of carbs!! Your body runs on sugar so you need them! High carb, low fat vegan lifestyle is the best for the body. I don't mean vegan junk food and prosessed vegan foods, but whole foods like rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Plus vegan lifestyle makes you feel amazing, and it's better for the whole world! And don't give me that "where do you get your proteins from". Please do some research.
Nonsense. Your body is equally capable of "running" on fat. If you prefer vegan for whatever reason, great, I'm glad you found what works for you, but that doesn't mean it's best for everyone (and the impact on the planet isn't exactly as clear cut as many vegans would like to believe). All that is required for weight loss is a calorie deficit, regardless of what types of foods you choose. Yes most people feel better eating minimally processed foods and less "junk", but that's true regardless of dietary framework. Personally I feel best on a diet that incorporates plenty of animal products and limits sugar and starch.
Forget protein, that's easy to come by. I do wonder where vegans get DHA and EPA (conversion of ALA is unpredictable, inefficient, and tends to wane over time), and where vegan children, older folks, and those who are pregnant or nursing get their cholesterol (there are no plant based sources of cholesterol and dietary cholesterol is one of the things that allowed us to develop the large brains that make us human; yes, healthy young adult males are capable of producing all they need and therefore don't require a dietary source, but not everyone is a healthy young adult male).
OP- what dietary framework you decide to use is really a matter of personal preference, nothing more. There are healthy and unhealthy food choices within any way of eating out there. I find LCHF to be easiest and most sustainable for me (been doing it for three years, come July, and have easily kept a healthy weight since the initial 50lb loss). But I have a strong family history of IR, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and Alzheimer's, not to mention a personal history of reactive hypoglycemia - I come from a group of people who just don't handle sugar and starch very well. So it's no big surprise that I do better strictly limiting grains, fruit, and starchy veg. You just need to find what works best for you!
I take a vegan DHA, they're easily available online. As far as cholesterol, it's my understanding that studies of vegan populations indicate that we generally have levels that are consistent with health.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »tlflag1620 wrote: »ThinnerIsMe wrote: »No one should be afraid of carbs!! Your body runs on sugar so you need them! High carb, low fat vegan lifestyle is the best for the body. I don't mean vegan junk food and prosessed vegan foods, but whole foods like rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Plus vegan lifestyle makes you feel amazing, and it's better for the whole world! And don't give me that "where do you get your proteins from". Please do some research.
Nonsense. Your body is equally capable of "running" on fat. If you prefer vegan for whatever reason, great, I'm glad you found what works for you, but that doesn't mean it's best for everyone (and the impact on the planet isn't exactly as clear cut as many vegans would like to believe). All that is required for weight loss is a calorie deficit, regardless of what types of foods you choose. Yes most people feel better eating minimally processed foods and less "junk", but that's true regardless of dietary framework. Personally I feel best on a diet that incorporates plenty of animal products and limits sugar and starch.
Forget protein, that's easy to come by. I do wonder where vegans get DHA and EPA (conversion of ALA is unpredictable, inefficient, and tends to wane over time), and where vegan children, older folks, and those who are pregnant or nursing get their cholesterol (there are no plant based sources of cholesterol and dietary cholesterol is one of the things that allowed us to develop the large brains that make us human; yes, healthy young adult males are capable of producing all they need and therefore don't require a dietary source, but not everyone is a healthy young adult male).
OP- what dietary framework you decide to use is really a matter of personal preference, nothing more. There are healthy and unhealthy food choices within any way of eating out there. I find LCHF to be easiest and most sustainable for me (been doing it for three years, come July, and have easily kept a healthy weight since the initial 50lb loss). But I have a strong family history of IR, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and Alzheimer's, not to mention a personal history of reactive hypoglycemia - I come from a group of people who just don't handle sugar and starch very well. So it's no big surprise that I do better strictly limiting grains, fruit, and starchy veg. You just need to find what works best for you!
I take a vegan DHA, they're easily available online. As far as cholesterol, it's my understanding that studies of vegan populations indicate that we generally have levels that are consistent with health.
Oh yeah, forgot about algae... My bad!
As for cholesterol- Have there ever been any reproducing vegan societies? Not to my knowledge. Most vegans are adults. Have vegan children been studied? What about the elderly? Pregnant and/or lactating women? Those with compromised liver function? All of those groups have higher cholesterol needs (it's essential for brain and nervous system development, hormone production, and cell repair), and may or may not be able to keep up with the need without a dietary source (there is a reason breast milk is so rich in cholesterol, but what happens after weaning, or if lactation doesn't work out?). Lack of dietary cholesterol is one of the things that makes me think vegan isn't the best idea for everyone. Vegetarian isn't so bad (it usually includes some eggs and/or dairy - great sources of cholesterol), and pescetarian would likely have enough, but there simply aren't any plant based sources of cholesterol.
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tlflag1620 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »tlflag1620 wrote: »ThinnerIsMe wrote: »No one should be afraid of carbs!! Your body runs on sugar so you need them! High carb, low fat vegan lifestyle is the best for the body. I don't mean vegan junk food and prosessed vegan foods, but whole foods like rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Plus vegan lifestyle makes you feel amazing, and it's better for the whole world! And don't give me that "where do you get your proteins from". Please do some research.
Nonsense. Your body is equally capable of "running" on fat. If you prefer vegan for whatever reason, great, I'm glad you found what works for you, but that doesn't mean it's best for everyone (and the impact on the planet isn't exactly as clear cut as many vegans would like to believe). All that is required for weight loss is a calorie deficit, regardless of what types of foods you choose. Yes most people feel better eating minimally processed foods and less "junk", but that's true regardless of dietary framework. Personally I feel best on a diet that incorporates plenty of animal products and limits sugar and starch.
Forget protein, that's easy to come by. I do wonder where vegans get DHA and EPA (conversion of ALA is unpredictable, inefficient, and tends to wane over time), and where vegan children, older folks, and those who are pregnant or nursing get their cholesterol (there are no plant based sources of cholesterol and dietary cholesterol is one of the things that allowed us to develop the large brains that make us human; yes, healthy young adult males are capable of producing all they need and therefore don't require a dietary source, but not everyone is a healthy young adult male).
OP- what dietary framework you decide to use is really a matter of personal preference, nothing more. There are healthy and unhealthy food choices within any way of eating out there. I find LCHF to be easiest and most sustainable for me (been doing it for three years, come July, and have easily kept a healthy weight since the initial 50lb loss). But I have a strong family history of IR, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and Alzheimer's, not to mention a personal history of reactive hypoglycemia - I come from a group of people who just don't handle sugar and starch very well. So it's no big surprise that I do better strictly limiting grains, fruit, and starchy veg. You just need to find what works best for you!
I take a vegan DHA, they're easily available online. As far as cholesterol, it's my understanding that studies of vegan populations indicate that we generally have levels that are consistent with health.
Oh yeah, forgot about algae... My bad!
As for cholesterol- Have there ever been any reproducing vegan societies? Not to my knowledge. Most vegans are adults. Have vegan children been studied? What about the elderly? Pregnant and/or lactating women? Those with compromised liver function? All of those groups have higher cholesterol needs (it's essential for brain and nervous system development, hormone production, and cell repair), and may or may not be able to keep up with the need without a dietary source (there is a reason breast milk is so rich in cholesterol, but what happens after weaning, or if lactation doesn't work out?). Lack of dietary cholesterol is one of the things that makes me think vegan isn't the best idea for everyone. Vegetarian isn't so bad (it usually includes some eggs and/or dairy - great sources of cholesterol), and pescetarian would likely have enough, but there simply aren't any plant based sources of cholesterol.
Many Seventh Day Adventists are vegan -- their multi-generational vegan families are often used for some of these studies. These communities include children, the elderly, pregnant/lactating women, and people with compromised liver function (I'm assuming on the last one, not aware of any specific studies on this). Additional studies have also focused on the long-term health of vegan children and the elderly.
Obviously, individual vegans should pay attention to their cholesterol levels, but I don't think *some* individuals having an issue with producing their own cholesterol is a reason for *everyone* to avoid veganism.
Your concern is appreciated, but science-based vegans are already aware of these issues and address them in scholarship and in materials for public consumption.2 -
ThinnerIsMe wrote: »No one should be afraid of carbs!! Your body runs on sugar so you need them! High carb, low fat vegan lifestyle is the best for the body. I don't mean vegan junk food and prosessed vegan foods, but whole foods like rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Plus vegan lifestyle makes you feel amazing, and it's better for the whole world! And don't give me that "where do you get your proteins from". Please do some research.
Interesting first post. Could you point the way to some evidence based research in this area? I am very interested in your post. People with metabolic syndrome and related conditions are being pointed towards lower carb diets because of GI. Do you have some quality sources (double blinded studies or evidence based research) to the contrary? Would love to read them.2 -
janejellyroll wrote: »tlflag1620 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »tlflag1620 wrote: »ThinnerIsMe wrote: »No one should be afraid of carbs!! Your body runs on sugar so you need them! High carb, low fat vegan lifestyle is the best for the body. I don't mean vegan junk food and prosessed vegan foods, but whole foods like rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Plus vegan lifestyle makes you feel amazing, and it's better for the whole world! And don't give me that "where do you get your proteins from". Please do some research.
Nonsense. Your body is equally capable of "running" on fat. If you prefer vegan for whatever reason, great, I'm glad you found what works for you, but that doesn't mean it's best for everyone (and the impact on the planet isn't exactly as clear cut as many vegans would like to believe). All that is required for weight loss is a calorie deficit, regardless of what types of foods you choose. Yes most people feel better eating minimally processed foods and less "junk", but that's true regardless of dietary framework. Personally I feel best on a diet that incorporates plenty of animal products and limits sugar and starch.
Forget protein, that's easy to come by. I do wonder where vegans get DHA and EPA (conversion of ALA is unpredictable, inefficient, and tends to wane over time), and where vegan children, older folks, and those who are pregnant or nursing get their cholesterol (there are no plant based sources of cholesterol and dietary cholesterol is one of the things that allowed us to develop the large brains that make us human; yes, healthy young adult males are capable of producing all they need and therefore don't require a dietary source, but not everyone is a healthy young adult male).
OP- what dietary framework you decide to use is really a matter of personal preference, nothing more. There are healthy and unhealthy food choices within any way of eating out there. I find LCHF to be easiest and most sustainable for me (been doing it for three years, come July, and have easily kept a healthy weight since the initial 50lb loss). But I have a strong family history of IR, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and Alzheimer's, not to mention a personal history of reactive hypoglycemia - I come from a group of people who just don't handle sugar and starch very well. So it's no big surprise that I do better strictly limiting grains, fruit, and starchy veg. You just need to find what works best for you!
I take a vegan DHA, they're easily available online. As far as cholesterol, it's my understanding that studies of vegan populations indicate that we generally have levels that are consistent with health.
Oh yeah, forgot about algae... My bad!
As for cholesterol- Have there ever been any reproducing vegan societies? Not to my knowledge. Most vegans are adults. Have vegan children been studied? What about the elderly? Pregnant and/or lactating women? Those with compromised liver function? All of those groups have higher cholesterol needs (it's essential for brain and nervous system development, hormone production, and cell repair), and may or may not be able to keep up with the need without a dietary source (there is a reason breast milk is so rich in cholesterol, but what happens after weaning, or if lactation doesn't work out?). Lack of dietary cholesterol is one of the things that makes me think vegan isn't the best idea for everyone. Vegetarian isn't so bad (it usually includes some eggs and/or dairy - great sources of cholesterol), and pescetarian would likely have enough, but there simply aren't any plant based sources of cholesterol.
Many Seventh Day Adventists are vegan -- their multi-generational vegan families are often used for some of these studies. These communities include children, the elderly, pregnant/lactating women, and people with compromised liver function (I'm assuming on the last one, not aware of any specific studies on this). Additional studies have also focused on the long-term health of vegan children and the elderly.
Obviously, individual vegans should pay attention to their cholesterol levels, but I don't think *some* individuals having an issue with producing their own cholesterol is a reason for *everyone* to avoid veganism.
Your concern is appreciated, but science-based vegans are already aware of these issues and address them in scholarship and in materials for public consumption.
Seventh day Adventists are definitely vegetarian, but many supplement their diets with eggs or dairy.
That said, I never said people should avoid veganism, I just questioned ThinnerIsMe's assertion that veganism will make "everyone" feel better and that it is "best" for our bodies/health - that's codswallop. Personally I don't believe there is just one optimal way of eating. Veganism is an extremely restrictive lifestyle (it's not just about food either). If you prefer to do that, are happy with it, and are meeting your goals, great! Keep on keepin on! But there are certain nutrients that need to be supplemented or that may not be available at all... Things to consider before starting.
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tlflag1620 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »tlflag1620 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »tlflag1620 wrote: »ThinnerIsMe wrote: »No one should be afraid of carbs!! Your body runs on sugar so you need them! High carb, low fat vegan lifestyle is the best for the body. I don't mean vegan junk food and prosessed vegan foods, but whole foods like rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Plus vegan lifestyle makes you feel amazing, and it's better for the whole world! And don't give me that "where do you get your proteins from". Please do some research.
Nonsense. Your body is equally capable of "running" on fat. If you prefer vegan for whatever reason, great, I'm glad you found what works for you, but that doesn't mean it's best for everyone (and the impact on the planet isn't exactly as clear cut as many vegans would like to believe). All that is required for weight loss is a calorie deficit, regardless of what types of foods you choose. Yes most people feel better eating minimally processed foods and less "junk", but that's true regardless of dietary framework. Personally I feel best on a diet that incorporates plenty of animal products and limits sugar and starch.
Forget protein, that's easy to come by. I do wonder where vegans get DHA and EPA (conversion of ALA is unpredictable, inefficient, and tends to wane over time), and where vegan children, older folks, and those who are pregnant or nursing get their cholesterol (there are no plant based sources of cholesterol and dietary cholesterol is one of the things that allowed us to develop the large brains that make us human; yes, healthy young adult males are capable of producing all they need and therefore don't require a dietary source, but not everyone is a healthy young adult male).
OP- what dietary framework you decide to use is really a matter of personal preference, nothing more. There are healthy and unhealthy food choices within any way of eating out there. I find LCHF to be easiest and most sustainable for me (been doing it for three years, come July, and have easily kept a healthy weight since the initial 50lb loss). But I have a strong family history of IR, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and Alzheimer's, not to mention a personal history of reactive hypoglycemia - I come from a group of people who just don't handle sugar and starch very well. So it's no big surprise that I do better strictly limiting grains, fruit, and starchy veg. You just need to find what works best for you!
I take a vegan DHA, they're easily available online. As far as cholesterol, it's my understanding that studies of vegan populations indicate that we generally have levels that are consistent with health.
Oh yeah, forgot about algae... My bad!
As for cholesterol- Have there ever been any reproducing vegan societies? Not to my knowledge. Most vegans are adults. Have vegan children been studied? What about the elderly? Pregnant and/or lactating women? Those with compromised liver function? All of those groups have higher cholesterol needs (it's essential for brain and nervous system development, hormone production, and cell repair), and may or may not be able to keep up with the need without a dietary source (there is a reason breast milk is so rich in cholesterol, but what happens after weaning, or if lactation doesn't work out?). Lack of dietary cholesterol is one of the things that makes me think vegan isn't the best idea for everyone. Vegetarian isn't so bad (it usually includes some eggs and/or dairy - great sources of cholesterol), and pescetarian would likely have enough, but there simply aren't any plant based sources of cholesterol.
Many Seventh Day Adventists are vegan -- their multi-generational vegan families are often used for some of these studies. These communities include children, the elderly, pregnant/lactating women, and people with compromised liver function (I'm assuming on the last one, not aware of any specific studies on this). Additional studies have also focused on the long-term health of vegan children and the elderly.
Obviously, individual vegans should pay attention to their cholesterol levels, but I don't think *some* individuals having an issue with producing their own cholesterol is a reason for *everyone* to avoid veganism.
Your concern is appreciated, but science-based vegans are already aware of these issues and address them in scholarship and in materials for public consumption.
Seventh day Adventists are definitely vegetarian, but many supplement their diets with eggs or dairy.
That said, I never said people should avoid veganism, I just questioned ThinnerIsMe's assertion that veganism will make "everyone" feel better and that it is "best" for our bodies/health - that's codswallop. Personally I don't believe there is just one optimal way of eating. Veganism is an extremely restrictive lifestyle (it's not just about food either). If you prefer to do that, are happy with it, and are meeting your goals, great! Keep on keepin on! But there are certain nutrients that need to be supplemented or that may not be available at all... Things to consider before starting.
Many do, but some don't. The studies I'm talking about involve the individuals who don't eat dairy or eggs.
I understand that veganism isn't just about food. I've been vegan for over ten years now.0
This discussion has been closed.
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