Need help starting a vegetarian diet

ssernst

I'm sorry if someone has already suggested this and I missed it, but checkout the Moosewood Restaurant cookbooks. They have some great recipes, and have a small section for those who still eat fish.

Best of luck!

wonnder1

Went to see a dietitian today. The beans most likely won't be permanent, but for the next month she has to eat that restrictively until the inflammation is gone. After that, we get to pick 1 item and work it in, see how she reacts.

Surprisingly, she is taking it pretty well. Might be because she was starving. I'd been away for a week and turns out my 95 pound mother hadn't eaten anything but soup and most of it she threw up. Probably because the only soup she likes is Pea and Chicken noodle. If I take this traveling job I've been offered I don't know what I'll do...I swear, she would eat nothing but chicken nuggets and hot dogs. We're going to have to have a talk about that.

I found that website, very interesting, and matched everything the doctor and dietitian told me.

art_tribe

I can't seem to find the start of this thread, but for gall bladder issues, unpasteurized apple juice is amazing for the gall bladder, it softens the tissues and allows the sludge to move out more easily. And, as tofu is made from soyBEANS, it would not be a good choice, it's tough to digest.

Best of luck with the healing!

naturallykat

I just wanted to add a gem into the mix, if it doesn't count as a nut or gluten (do check!). Quinoa. Its got all the essential amino acids (protein) you need in it.

milaxx

I just wanted to add a gem into the mix, if it doesn't count as a nut or gluten (do check!). Quinoa. Its got all the essential amino acids (protein) you need in it.

Quinoa is a grain and a complete protein. It is also dirt cheap and can be used in place of rice in most dishes

sitstaygimmeeakiss

Hi - I'm new to this site, and thrilled I found it. Besides my weight problem (which WILL be normal in time), I have a few health issues. One of my problems is diverticulitis - albeit, different than your mom's gallbladder problem, but similar in that I was in an acute stage a couple of times & had to take drastic action to avoid hospitalization - and worse.

Diverticulitis & gallstones are the result of a typical SAD diet. Lord knows I'm as guilty as can be (I love food too much), but sometimes it takes an acute situation like this to make us make necessary changes.

Psychologically, I prefer to tell myself that this is just for now - that when I'm better (and this extra person I'm carrying around is gone), then I can have the treats I love so much. Might not actually care by then - but this helps me not feel so - restricted, so to speak. (I do the same thing when I have to empty the dishwasher - tell myself I only have to take out a few things, then I end up doing them all. Yes, I'm probably certifiably crazy, but hey, it works for me...;-)

First of all - does she know what her diagnosis is? I think we are assuming it's stones - but we all know what assuming can lead to!

The last time I had a diverticulitis attack I managed to get my primary care to prescribe the two antibiotics that would have been given me in the hospital, then I went on sort of a fast (something else hospitalization would have done for me). Just did not want to spend a wk in the hospital, and I most certainly didn't want an operation! Started off with a little fruit for a couple of days, then juice, then a few days of water only. This was essential for my situation. Went off of this, slowly, in reverse (went fr water to juice to fruit, then later added veggies, etc.) when I knew I was better (pain and discomfort guided me!)

Raw veggies & fruits are very healing (noticed someone mentioned nuts - don't forget that nuts are very high in fat) - if you can afford a juicer, look at getting a masticating kind - there are several good ones on the market that won't break the bank. It might be a good idea as a simple way to get enzyme rich nutrition into her. I did a search & came up w/a posting on a raw forum (don't know if it's OK to post links here) that mentioned Norman Walker. He was a proponent of juicing way, way back. He suggested alternating the juice of one lemon in warm water and a tumbler full of freshly made carrot/beet/cucumber juice (you noticed her good reaction when she ate the cucumber). The author of this posting said her husband passed some big gallbladder stones w/this, and I've read of others in the past, too.

Good luck - to her, and to you in your quest to help her!

wonnder1

Thanks for the replies.

Right now it's sludge (God, the human body is gross) AND stones. One of the drawbacks to free healthcare is wait times, so it'll be 2 weeks before she can get in for surgery. They believe if we can clear the sludge they can avoid surgery. That's why the diet.

She's doing pretty good with the meat-free (except fish...I got in trouble for calling it vegetarian!) Oddly enough, gluten free oatmeal helps, but gluten free bread did the opposite. But the bread has eggs in it I'm pretty sure. I came home today and *Gasp* she was cooking up some of the egg whites I'd gotten. ALL BY HERSELF! I don't know if any of you have older parents, but you have no idea, I almost cried.

It's been 3 days, and she's pretty much herself again. Flax tea is disgusting, but helps her a lot.

nicothepotato

I echo the quinoa suggestion. I substitute quinoa for rice in a lot of dishes so I can get the extra protein. I also suggest what I do for my fiance for when I'm away. I cook a few freezable dishes, divide them up into portions and then we have homemade tv dinners. Otherwise he survives off of beans and turkey slices.

Barelmy

She's doing pretty good with the meat-free (except fish...I got in trouble for calling it vegetarian!)

You didn't get 'into trouble'. People just pointed out that, if you want help starting a new kind of diet, it helps to be accurate in explaining what you're aiming for.