Going vegan and maintaining protein intake.

To clear up a few things...no, my doctor's name is not Dr. Oz. This is not some fad that I came across on any web site and this isn't something I'm doing for animal rights reasons. This is, however, a result of having a Dr. that I like and trust. One who isn't a pill pusher - and yes, I have a real problem with those that are. Of course I could take a cholesterol lowering medication, but I've seen the affects on older family members from taking those types of medications and I don't think we fully know what all of this will do to us as we get older. So yes, if he suggests removing animal fats from my diet for 6 months to see if that makes a difference, I'm willing to try it. Yes, I'm frustrated because I thought I'd been doing everything the way I was supposed to do it and things went the other direction. I'm losing weight and still have more to lose but I'm not morbidly obese. I was simply looking to those who have chosen or been placed in the same position how they get their protein and I didn't ask for judgment from those that don't agree with this idea.

And thank you to the person who suggested getting a cardiologist. I do have a good one but for other reasons. He's on board with this idea as anything that will make your heart healthier is a good thing.

And thank you to those that have posted the food ideas and links and recipes. I will be trying all of it, I'm sure.

Just some antecdotal evidence of vegan helping. My Sister-in-law, her husband, and my hubby have all lost weight, (more than a hundred pounds between them), have lowered cholesterol, and are healthier now than they ever have been. I have lost weight and improved my numbers as well. It's not scientific, however, it has worked for the 4 of us. Now, we also eat whole foods as much as possible, and very limited processed foods. Oreos are vegan, but will not help you get where you want to be, in my opinion. Plant-based is healthy for most people. Research it. Look into studies by independent researchers.

If you want, you can also check out "Forks over Knives" and "Food, Inc." although both are biased towards plant-based. You can get plenty of protein eating plant foods. And you can be a strong healthy athlete eating only whole, plant-based foods. Read, read, read! Educate yourself. Know what you are putting into your body!

CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING BOOKS: THE CHINA STUDY, ENGINE 2 DIET, WHOLE, ALL ARE ABOUT PLANT BASED EATING AND WILL HELP YOU FIGURE OUT THE PROTEIN... WHEN I STOPPED EATING MEAT AND DAIRY MY CHOLESTEROL WENT DOWN....

Did you also happen to lose weight during this time when you stopped eating meat and dairy? Because that alone has been highly correlated with a decrease in cholesterol.

Also, isn't it a little simplistic to equate relatively lower cholesterol with better overall health? Are you certain that cholesterol is really the boogeyman some would have use believe it is?

I lost 30 lbs one summer eating nothing but ice cream, mashed potatoes, and drinking ensure...amazing diet, you HAVE to do it...

Granted I was doing summer workouts for football (american), bass fishing 3-4 times a week for 5+ hours out of a jon boat with just a paddle, and playing tennis, but it was all about my 3 ingredient diet...

I'm jumping in late, and didn't read all the posts. But, I'm eating low fat, whole foods, 0 dietary cholesterol. It isn't totally vegan because I don't worry about the type of sugar that is in something (although I do try to avoid refined sugars) and not sure where vinegar stands on vegan / non-vegan, but do eat that. In about 2 weeks I'll be getting my next cholesterol testing so we'll see whether it helps.

Initially, I was worried about protein, but I researched it and it seems like I don't really have to worry about it as long as I get a good mix of grains, legumes, veggies, and fruit. I'm not a weight lifter though. However, I do believe you can manage your protein needs and quite possibly not even need protein powders. I suppose it depends on how much exercise you do.

Authors I've read:
Rip Esselstyn (engine 2 diet)
Caldwell Esselstyn, MD (Forks over Knives) father of guy above
Neal Barnard, MD (21 day weight loss kickstart, and reversing diabetes)
T. Colin Campbell (the China Study)
John McDougall, MD (McDougall Quick and easy cookbook).

I started with the engine 2 book and then started looking for the authors that he quoted. I suspect they have a bias toward veganism beyond just healthful eating, but hey, in the end it is your decision. Oh, and I have a friend that started eating this way about 2 years ago, she's lost about 50 pounds (although that wasn't her primary goal). She has managed to get off both cholesterol medications and blood pressure medications since starting this eating style. And she exercises by riding her bicycle to work (I think an hour each way, maybe a little more).

I too miss cheese, but I have noticed that my digestion, sinuses, and headaches have improved since eliminating dairy. I think the best part about this diet is that I don't have to count calories! I'm actually using this site now to track fiber and fat intake (trying to keep between 25 and 30 grams of fat per day right now).

I'm sure your Dr. Has told you this, but some people are genetically predisposed to have high cholesterol, etc. Diet and exercise don't always change the numbers that much. Medication MAY be the answer.
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I agree, so I would get a second opinion.

Vega makes great vegan protein powders. Formulated by a vegan triathlete.

Vegan does not mean healthy or lower cholesterol. What I really don't understand is why your doctor would have you go vegan?

Very true. About the best example of this someone has told me is that soda, potato chips, and Oreos are all vegan. So, IMHO, the goal should be to be a "healthy vegan" (assuming someone is choosing to eat vegan). In the end, it is an individual's choice, and it can be done in a healthful way.

Vegan means no bee pollen, no egg whites (which increase good cholesterol), no salmon or fish high in omega-3s. Why would you eliminate so many healthy foods? That just does not make sense.

I assume by "bee pollen" you mean honey. Agave Nectar is a non-animal based sweetener that is similar to honey. There is also maple syrup and molasses. All would be equally healthy as honey. But, with all, you need to watch the calories since they are basically sugar. Oatmeal, barley, beans, and soy all increase the good cholesterol. There are plenty of non-animal sources of omega 3's as well. Fish aren't required. Which is a really good thing, since I hate fish.

Vegan means no bee pollen, no egg whites (which increase good cholesterol), no salmon or fish high in omega-3s. Why would you eliminate so many healthy foods? That just does not make sense.

I assume by "bee pollen" you mean honey. Agave Nectar is a non-animal based sweetener that is similar to honey. There is also maple syrup and molasses. All would be equally healthy as honey. But, with all, you need to watch the calories since they are basically sugar. Oatmeal, barley, beans, and soy all increase the good cholesterol. There are plenty of non-animal sources of omega 3's as well. Fish aren't required. Which is a really good thing, since I hate fish.

Actually by "bee pollen" I mean bee pollen. Bee pollen contains vitamins, lipids, proteins, minerals, etc. and is not sweet, so it should not be confused with honey. Honey does not contain bee pollen.

You mention soy, although it does contain good cholesterol, it has been shown to have almost no impact on reducing bad cholesterol. At the same time, it opens up a host of other potential issues because of the high concentration of phytoestrogens, which can cause a number of problems. I would consume natural sources of protein versus highly processed soy protein isolate. In addition, soy is linked to thyroid issues, which can in turn cause issues with cholesterol.

I would look into potential causes of high cholesterol before assuming that diet is to blame. Kidney function, thyroid disease (specifically hypothyroidism) can both cause elevated cholesterol levels. And I would certainly not have someone eliminate all animal products from their diet when many of those same animal products are healthy and help to reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol.