How to LCHF when in a hostile environment?
KetoGirl83
Posts: 546 Member
Next week I will be in a Meditation Retreat, something that has been booked for a long time.
It's something I have been doing for many years and it's nice to be with friends that I only see on these occasions.
This time, however, I'm very worried about what I'm going to eat and how to do it. I don't want to lose the benefits I'm already feeling. BUT I know from previous occasions that the food available will be vegetarian going on vegan. Carbs, low quality carbs, more carbs and some sugar as a treat.
Even when I was a vegetarian I thought the meals were generally unbalanced and had not enough protein. From a LCHF point of view they're a disaster. I honestly don't think there will be anything acceptable besides lettuce and maybe broccoli now and then.
I'm going to pack cheese, almonds, walnuts, tinned tuna in olive oil, peanut butter, coconut oil, tea and coffee. But it's a week, I'll need a few real meals.
I'm planning to sneak out a couple of times and look for a restaurant serving real food, even though going out is frowned upon, but I know this will not be possible for every meal.
Now, about the hostile part. Most of the people there, starting with the teachers, is either vegetarian or vegan. Passionately so. The kind that goes to the street to educate everyone else. Even the few that are not 100% vegetarian in their daily life understand the need/obligation to eat vegetarian during a retreat.
Because everyone eats together, and most of us know each other, it'll be impossible to fly under the radar. It will be obvious that I am not eating with everyone else and people will demand to know why.
No one will understand or sympathise with my reasons and they will be horrified if they realise I'm eating meat. Besides all the ethical issues, they'll present me with all the brown rice/juices solutions that have brought me to where I am.
I'm sure some will politely defend that "even if" a vegetarian diet will kill me sooner rather than later, that is my karma and I should accept it. This is the "meat is murder" crowd. This is me not so long ago, I understand how they think. They are very good people, relaxed and easy-going, this just happens to be a core belief, essential to their world view.
Anyone has any experience with being in such a hostile environment? And ideas for food that I could keep in my room for up to a week?
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I just copied here from my blog because the blog will not get seen by many and I need all the help and useful suggestions I can get.
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...and vegans murder things that are helplessly stuck in the ground. Plants feel when they are being attacked and "scream" in they're own way. Vegans are eating living things so unless they eat rocks and dirt they need to MTOB.
Off my vegan ranting.
I would eat the "unforgivables" in private perhaps. No reason to cause anxiety for yourself. Afterall this retreat is for relaxation. But, if anyone critizes you--politely say you have medical condition that makes eating an abundance of carbs is dangerous for you health so you must compensate your diet. (I noticed you mentioning you're diabetic on another post).
Personally, I'd omit the fish because even a meat eater notices that potent smell. Vegans will probably drop dead. I'd opt for meat sticks instead and make fat bombs. Those are vegetarian, and besides, the keto diet is mainly fat intake. Considering you're not doing much muscle-wise meditating the protein intake can slide a bit. It's only temporary.
Have fun!0 -
Thank you BansheeCat.
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No, and I probably wouldn't put myself into such an environment.. if they won't respect your choices, how are you supposed to be authentic friends?0
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I have a family member working with the organization. Unfortunately I do have to go or, at this point, I'd skip it.0
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All you can do is your best. No need to worry about macros & calories for a week - just try to make healthy choices. Like I have said, it's a journey, and it's okay if we're not perfect every single day.
In terms of hostile environment... I really can't recommend anything other than what BansheeCat said - tell them it's for medical reasons and you'd appreciate if they would not comment. Maybe you can send an e-mail to them before you go to reduce the risk of a big scene while you're there?0 -
That's a good idea, aeb09. I'll send an email saying that I'll have to eat in my room due to dietary restrictions for medical reasons.
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I would die in this situation. Vegetarian/vegan would mean literally nothing I would choose to eat. I'd either have to intentionally force myself to eat undesirable food, or starve. If there was no other choice, I'd eat the food until I could get out of that situation. I would do everything I could to never be in it again.0
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It's insane to have to anticipate judgemental attitudes and hostility on a meditation retreat. Geez. I'm still trying to shake that off - completely counterproductive. I do understand the diet options you will likely encounter, grains galore. I agree with everyone else - "medical reasons, please respect me".
As for food options, look for fats, so macadamia nuts are a winner. Can you bring a small cooler? If so, you can keep a small amount of perishables on hand (like sour cream, cream cheese, cold cuts.) Oh, and one more thing - pork rinds. (tiny evil laugh from a plant loving, animal rescuing omnivore)
I so dearly wish for you the peace, happiness, and clarity a retreat can bring.0 -
Thank you for your support everyone! If it gets difficult I'll think of you all. It's only a week. I'll survive.
Anyway, I will not eat the food that created all the problems I'm in now. I'll try to not offend and, as much as possible, fly under the radar.
It was one thing to eat that way when I believed it was, as the ads say, the best for me, the animals and the planet. But now that I know it was preventing me from enjoying life, sapping my energy and making me sick, no more. I was wrong. I'll have to come to terms with eating meat because I obviously need it. If it comes to that, I'll just have to admit that between my health and an animal life, I've finally decided to choose my health. If that makes me a bad person and I lose a few friends acquaintances in the process, so be it.0 -
Good luck to you...get the most you can from your meditation, as you'll probably need it. Try not to let the stress of a potentially hostile situation mess with your blood sugar.0
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LOL nill4me, I had not even thought of that. I guess my blood will show proof of how good the meditation is for me. Now I'm curious. 0
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Since you have had this trip booked for a while and you've stated that there are some people with it whom you like to see every now and then, I think that itself might be a good defensive point, should you really need one.
If you're seeing results on your current diet, I truly believe that is a good thing, one to be proud of, and that you can say with confidence to others, "It's important for me to maintain discipline on my diet, this is working for me, I respect your way of life, your food choices and I've come to support you all here, so please allow me the peace to continue mine. We are all friends here."
Kindness that vegans value highly towards animals should also be exercised towards human beings.
I understand this may not get you through the scrutiny, and may in fact bring on even more beration of "Well if you truly cared about your health, you would be eating _____________." but the reality is that only you know your body.
Only you will know what is good for you, and you cannot let others bully you for it.
On your trip, may the best of luck and peace be with you.0 -
How could anyone argue with the advice your doctor(s). It is what it is. We are NOT all the same. And if you need to eat differently now because of health issues, they should stuff it....literally.0
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I'd be like "sorry guys, I'd LOVE to come, but I have the flu. I feel terrible.
Honestly I couldn't think of anything worse. My brother in law and his wife are vegan. Miserable, thin, pasty, yoga loving people they are. Every single family gathering is all about how they don't eat meat. They look down on everyone who does, like we're criminals. And if I sit at the table and talk about how great the bacon I got from the market was or the awesome steak we had the other night I'm the rude one? I'm supposed to be sensitive to THEIR feelings? Please.0 -
My sister is a vegan. We don't talk about food. But she's fine seeing me eat meat in front of her.
But I'm the sort that would say "NUNYA BIZNESS!" if they cast dispersions on the way I eat.
I hope KetoGirl that you had a decent time and that the food nazis acted civilized.
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I'd be like "sorry guys, I'd LOVE to come, but I have the flu. I feel terrible.
Honestly I couldn't think of anything worse. My brother in law and his wife are vegan. Miserable, thin, pasty, yoga loving people they are. Every single family gathering is all about how they don't eat meat. They look down on everyone who does, like we're criminals. And if I sit at the table and talk about how great the bacon I got from the market was or the awesome steak we had the other night I'm the rude one? I'm supposed to be sensitive to THEIR feelings? Please.
Ditto that and your pics are hilarious! LOL!
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I'm. Sorry you have to go through that. Like the others said, don't let it get to you. Nuts, fat bombs, cheese and pork rinds. 0
