Could you do a plant based diet?

Fitnessman168
Fitnessman168 Posts: 85 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So I've done a lot of research on plant based diets and was wondering if anyone here could do one?

That would mean giving up the following-> no meat of any kind no diary meaning no milk, cheese,

And living off beans, legumes, veggies, and fruit, and drink things like almond milk. And eating stuff like ezekiel cereal etc for carbs

Could you do it?
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Replies

  • weightliftingdiva
    weightliftingdiva Posts: 522 Member
    There are many people on the forums who follow a vegan diet, and there are many who are very opposed to it. It's a matter of perspective and different interpretations of the available science.

    There are several community groups on the forums that cater to these lifestyles.

    I was a vegetarian for 8 months, but found I wasn't getting enough high quality protein. In my ideal world, I would be a vegan for ethical reasons, but as I am a college student on a meal plan that's not really feasible for me right now. Also beef just tastes good.
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    I could, but I don't see any good reason as to why I should.
  • Illona88
    Illona88 Posts: 903 Member
    Already doing it.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,217 Member
    The research is the reason I couldn't and don't want to rely just on plant food for my diet.
  • birdiecs
    birdiecs Posts: 237 Member
    Nope and I would have no logical reason to try. Some people enjoy it, I don't happen to be one of those
  • runningjen74
    runningjen74 Posts: 312 Member
    Yes and No.

    I went vegetarian for health reasons last year. felt okay - but that was coming from a low fat/high carb following the food pyramid. I'm not a huge dairy person, reckon I could give that up no problem.

    BUT....I'm not at all vegetarian now. I eat a lot of meat, I also eat a lot of vegetables. I've found when I eat a lot of meat and far higher fat, combined with lifting weights that my hormones have settled way down and I don't get headaches any more.

    So yes, I think from a food perspective, I could do it. But I'm not going to, I absolutely feel so much better now that there's no question of me changing. I do buy free range/organic where I can, but I'm definitely a carnivore now for my health reasons.
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    Only once the plants are processed, refined, and turned in to meat by an animal =P
  • Iwishyouwell
    Iwishyouwell Posts: 1,888 Member
    Could I? Of course. I could follow almost any diet.

    Do I want to? No. I enjoy meat and animal byproducts. But I already have a very heavily plant based diet overall, it's just not plant exclusive. Last night for dinner I had pea, spinach, and avocado soup, a banana, an apple, a plethora of frozen green grapes, and a blueberry muffin. And I was thoroughly satisfied and am still stuffed this morning.

    Historically human beings in most societies have had very plant heavy based diets, just not exclusively so. It would do us VERY well, for health and weight, to migrate back to a very heavily plant based diet (and no, I don't mean french fries or fried onion rings).
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    nope, I like meat and dairy too much and have had success eating them …


    sorry, OP
  • QueensGirl83
    QueensGirl83 Posts: 54 Member
    Not a chance.
  • craftywitch_63
    craftywitch_63 Posts: 829 Member
    Tried and failed several times. I can substitute tofu or tempeh for meat without problem, in fact, I've always liked grilled tofu better than meat. I can give up cow milk forever and never miss it, I've never liked milk anyway but I needs my cheese!!

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    I just make sure the cheese is made without renin or other cow enzymes (cheese processed with vegetable enzymes tastes just as good!) For some reason, soy/almond/rice alternatives just don't satisfy the craving.

    Good luck, though. A plant-based diet has been shown to be the best for you.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,217 Member
    Good luck, though. A plant-based diet has been shown to be the best for you.
    Funny, I've found researching that the pescatarian diet trumped both the vegetarian and vegan diet for health.
  • MorgueBabe
    MorgueBabe Posts: 1,188 Member
    I do. I have for like 20 years now.
  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
    No, I like beef, fish, chicken, and diary. I need my protein fix next to my veggies and fruit.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Good luck, though. A plant-based diet has been shown to be the best for you.

    ^^^That's just not even remotely true.

    OP, nothing wrong with a vegan diet...I couldn't/wouldn't want to do it, but there's nothing wrong with...just make sure you know how to get the nutrients you will be missing from eating meat/seafood/poultry. Those things you are eliminating provide a lot of nutrition and those nutrients need to be found elsewhere. Simply switching over to a vegan diet doesn't mean you're automatically super healthy...I know lots of vegetarians and vegans who do not get proper nutrition.

    Also Watch your iron and you will likely have to take B-12 supplements.
  • 1two3four
    1two3four Posts: 413 Member
    If I had to I could.

    I just don't think I'd really want to. I could give up milk and cheese (I know, I'm an oddball, I don't get the cheese love, except a few I could still live without) but I love venison, eggs and yogurt and chicken too much. Fish, beef and pork I can take or leave. Well, maybe not the bacon. Anyway, I think I'm happier eating a little animal protein in my diet. It's not a ton or anything or or two servings a day.
  • Ophidion
    Ophidion Posts: 2,065 Member
    <<Yep not an issue for me, but it is just a personal preference of mine and I never feel the need to justify it...in the sense I do not ask people to justify their personal preferences/choices such as music, authors, sexual preference etc.

    Question is if you are considering this dietary preference why do you need peoples validation, if it is what you want to do and you have the financial and geographical means go for it and if you find it beneficial and to your liking what do others opinions matter.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    no way...
  • Candi_land
    Candi_land Posts: 1,311 Member
    No, I could not but I have tried some vegan foods (some of my closest IRL friends are vegan and I cook for them occasionally) and some of it is actually quite delicious. However I ultimately love all things dairy (mmm cheese) and meat (mmm steak), and don't feel the need for my choices to be approved or validated by other people..and you shouldn't either.

    If a plant based diet is your preference..do it!
  • Briantime
    Briantime Posts: 175 Member
    Sure I could, but why would I want to?
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    <<Yep not an issue for me, but it is just a personal preference of mine and I never feel the need to justify it...in the sense I do not ask people to justify their personal preferences/choices such as music, authors, sexual preference etc.

    Question is if you are considering this dietary preference why do you need peoples validation, if it is what you want to do and you have the financial and geographical means go for it and if you find it beneficial and to your liking what do others opinions matter.

    Damn. This is the best answer I've seen.

    For me, the answer is no, but that is me. I agree that we all have to make certain decisions for ourselves.
  • FitnFeistyLyness
    FitnFeistyLyness Posts: 757 Member
    I have ate primarily plant based over a year.. it was hard at first, but my body just doesn't do well on meat. it feels very heavy and lethargic, eggs and dairy make me nauseous and dairy didn't set well with my UC neither did gluten.I do still have fish and seafood occasionally, but its not a everyday thing. when something is better for your body health wise you learn to make adjustments. I love the way I eat now. my body feels amazing.. my UC is in remission unless I eat something I shouldn't.

    will this work for everyone. NO but im not everyone. im me and it works for me. i make all my own foods and plant based doesn't have to be boring. you can get creative.

    everyone has to find what works for them.. I will share my lifestyle if people want to know, but i don't push it on people. i have alot of friends that eat meat.. my whole family eats different than me.. its ok.. its my choice.. and its their choice.

    i don't defend it and i don't justify it.. i use to. not anymore. its my body.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,217 Member
    <<Yep not an issue for me, but it is just a personal preference of mine and I never feel the need to justify it...in the sense I do not ask people to justify their personal preferences/choices such as music, authors, sexual preference etc.

    Question is if you are considering this dietary preference why do you need peoples validation, if it is what you want to do and you have the financial and geographical means go for it and if you find it beneficial and to your liking what do others opinions matter.

    Damn. This is the best answer I've seen.

    For me, the answer is no, but that is me. I agree that we all have to make certain decisions for ourselves.
    Agree 100%
  • tennisdude2004
    tennisdude2004 Posts: 5,609 Member
    Personally I couldn't (I'm a self confessed carnivore).

    I've heard the kaleo diet is suppose to be really good.

    I would definitely look into it if I were you. Do the research and if it stacks up then it's your choice to make.

    Good luck with finding what's right for you.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    <<Yep not an issue for me, but it is just a personal preference of mine and I never feel the need to justify it...in the sense I do not ask people to justify their personal preferences/choices such as music, authors, sexual preference etc.

    Question is if you are considering this dietary preference why do you need peoples validation, if it is what you want to do and you have the financial and geographical means go for it and if you find it beneficial and to your liking what do others opinions matter.

    Damn. This is the best answer I've seen.

    For me, the answer is no, but that is me. I agree that we all have to make certain decisions for ourselves.

    Bingo. Same here.
  • Mof3wc
    Mof3wc Posts: 126 Member
    I can. And do, most of the time. I have Crohns and the only way to be pain free, mostly nausea free and have everything internally function kinda normal is to stay far away from animal products, gluten/oats, corn, nuts and seeds. It's awesome amounts of fun (sarcasm.....) I really love meat, and would gladly eat steak for 3 meals a day, but I just can't. Even a few bites causes major issues.
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    Could I? Yes. Do I want to? Not even a little bit.
  • bmqbonnie
    bmqbonnie Posts: 836 Member
    No. I am lazy and only want to put so much thought and effort into my meals and preparation. It's hard enough to eat a balanced diet with the right macros without eliminating whole food groups. I think if I did I would end up eating carbs way too much.

    I did a sort of vegetarian challenge for the heck of it once. It was fine. I don't love meat, in fact it's probably my least favorite food. But it's still a staple of my diet. I would have a much harder time kicking out eggs and dairy on top of that. And since I'm not morally opposed to eating animals and their products, I see no reason to do so. Animal products are the only complete proteins- you can still get all your necessary proteins from plants, but you would have to be very careful to eat quite the variety of them.
  • Anonycatgirl
    Anonycatgirl Posts: 502 Member
    Vegetables and legumes are a pretty big part of my diet, but I don't see myself ever doing a 100% plant-based diet. I was a lacto-ovo vegetarian as a younger woman and at the time I didn't miss meat, but I can't imagine giving up dairy and eggs.

    At this point, since my husband is a committed carnivore, I wouldn't try to go vegetarian, let alone vegan. Too much trouble to cook two separate meals!
  • navyrigger46
    navyrigger46 Posts: 1,301 Member
    Do I have the testicular fortitude to put myself through, and endure such torture? Of course. Would I ever want to? No! I love meat.

    Rigger

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