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Meat Eater, Vegetarian or Vegan?
Replies
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My diet is vegan. (Specifically hclf vegan.) Why?
It cured my anemia. I lost 25+ pounds. I'm getting more protein than I did when I ate meat.
I'm achieving more nutrient goals than before. In fact, I didn't have to take prenatal pills during my pregnancy because I was getting everything I needed just from eating. My energy levels are through the roof.
And my favorite reason...I can eat as much of anything that I'd like...given that I'm eating hclf. In fact, I was eating 2500-3000 calories when I lost the weight (and exercising sporadically at best). Pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, ice cream...I love it.2 -
I am a paleo follower. I forage daily, through the supermarket. In my mind this is the same as gathering nuts and berries, and hunting. Whatever looks good, whatever's fresh or in season, whatever appeals to me goes in the cart. I usually come out with about 60 to 80% 'produce', and 20 to 40% 'meat'. When I'm in my kitchen, on any given day, I typically will eat some animal protein at every meal; however, based on the idea that meat requires a successful hunt, and there must have been plenty of days when we did not get the gazelle, or moose, or quail, I will choose to stay meat-free for a day or two, and just eat nuts and seeds, fruit, raw veggies. It's good for me, and it's fun to think about.
This is what I do. Whatever anyone else does is fine. I have no opinion on anyone else's diet or lifestyle.1 -
All options can be healthy depending on what foods you eat from that category. Vegan can quite possibly be the healthiest lifestyle on the planet, as those who are vegan eat the foods that, naturally, human beings were made to eat (fruits and veggies). However, protein-based diets have come out on top to help people lose weight and get fit as well. I've been a vegetarian all my life and am just starting a vegan diet, so I can definitely say all 3 lifestyles are healthy in their own ways, depending on what you consume.
I have a medical condition (PKU) which prevents me from consuming any high protein foods, so it is not by choice. I'm only going vegan to get healthy and not for moral reasons! Some people also can't do a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle because of the decrease in protein-intake and that varies from person to person. So it's different for everyone and it's all based on what works for that individual person. 0 -
GraceAnneU95 wrote: »Meat. To be quite honest I am moving towards carnivore because I feel better without plant products in my life.
I am was prediabetic, and I switched to a low carb diet to help stabilize my blood glucose. I realized fairly quickly that I felt better as my carbs decreased so I switched to a ketogenic diet. I appear to be quite carb sensitive so I started dropping some veggies and realized that I felt better without most of them. My only plant product hold overs are coconut ( and cream and oil), nuts, avocado, some canola in my mayonnaise, coffee and stevia drops.
I know I can get all of the nutrients I need from animal products so I am not at all worried about nutrition. I think many of the healthful parts of plants, like fibre, are there to help humans deal with eating plants. They seem to become redundant as you move away from a plant based diet.
I also eat eggs and full fat dairy. I probably eat meat twice a day, sometimes more and sometimes less. I keep protein to about 20% for blood glucose reasons.
I know eating almost like a carnivore seems odd but I think that is because it is uncommon, and because of the anti cholesterol and saturated fats messages (based on what i think was a lack of science to back it up) that became so widely accepted in the past 50 odd years. I think eventually that being a carnivore will be though to be about as unusual as a vegetarian or vegan.
Dude I'm sorry but there's plenty of evidence (which is fully accepted by the scientific community) that saturated fats and cholesterol in high levels are bad for heart health, too much over time can cause you to go into cardiac arrest.
I think you should check your research (or lack there of) on google scholar (not regular Google) because the things you have heard are not propaganda, a lot of research has gone into those findings. You can't just decide that you think all of these things and declare them true without any real backing.
I understand that reducing sugar was good for you because you were pre diabetic, but that doesn't mean that what you're doing now is healthy or sustainable long term.
@GraceAnneU95 I disagree. I believe there is very little research that shows that a diet consisting of meats, eggs, full fat dairy, and some veggies and nuts, meaning a well planned LCHF ketogenic diet, would lead to heart disease. A LCHF diet usually leads to BETTER cholesterol numbers (HDL drops, triglycerides go up, and pattern b LDL increases), which is associated with better cardiovascular health.
Reducing sugar did help my insulin resistance, and weight loss did not. If I eat a high carb meal (10-20g is high carb for me) my blood glucose goes right back to prediabetic levels. Weight loss (20% of my initial body weight) did not help me. What else should I do? Should I stop eating in a way that I find very easy and satisfying, which makes it almost effortless to maintain my weight loss (even at 2500kcal per day when sedentary), and has improved my other health issues? Eat "normal" and watch my health decline, and probably regain my lost weight? No thanks.
Not healthy or sustainable? For me, you are wrong.
...And I know google scholar and use it frequently. LOL Here is the first link it provided when I typed "ketogenic diet lipid profile". A Low-Carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet versus a Low-Fat Diet To Treat Obesity and Hyperlipidemia: A Randomized, Controlled Trial2 -
I am vegetarian, I see a lot of comments about getting protein from meat, but you can get a surplus of protein from eating just whole foods. Eating whole foods is always the superior diet compared to junk and processed foods. I personally as though the vegan diet is the superior diet, but as long as you incorporate a lot of whole foods you are better off than most. My opinion, don't get offended!0
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Hey everyone! Not totally new to MFP, but I took a 6 month hiatus and I am now back! I've started a vegan diet (about 1.5 weeks ago) for many great reasons, and I love it so far! I'm looking to add some vegan friends on here since I'm super new at this. I need all the support, motivation and nutritional information I can get on this vegan lifestyle! Any helpful advice is welcome ❤️2
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Veggan...vegan but eat eggs. I am on the verge of going gluten free as well, but I'm working up to it. I have changed my eating habits for health and environmental reasons, used to be omnivorous. I don't want to take supplements, so I eat eggs, but carefully select the source and mostly buy them from the farmers market where I know the chickens are well kept, fed, and local to my home. My husband has celiac disease, recently diagnosed, and I want to be supportive of going gluten free. I love the taste of meat, always have, but I just don't believe it's sustainable for each person in the world to consume on a daily basis, for that reason, I've given it up. Plus the fact that animals are treated in ways many don't even realize, cruel and inhuman.
I think any diet can be healthful, but all but one nutrient can be obtained from plant sources, so I'll eat mostly plants. That is all.0 -
Meat, mostly chicken and pork. More fish would be good, just don't like cooking it. Love beef, but have just slowly been moving away from it. Lots of vegetables and fruit.0
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Because of my medical injuries I had severe malabsorption. The vegan diet caused very bad skin disorder among others. But, it's because of my medical condition, not the vegan diet for any other person. I still eat 80% or more plant foods. And I don't even like eating the chicken I added. But, my health has and is improving. And I was able to gain back weight I needed to gain. I will continue to reduce the amount of chicken I eat as I am able. I buy it twice a week.0
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I'm a meat eater! I think it can all be healthy if you do it right. But it has to be about balance. I would happy if I could live off of steak and mashed potatoes. But that's not going to help me lose weight or be healthy, so probably a bad idea. But chicken, pork, fish, beef--all of it can be good for you. If someone else wants to be vegetarian or vegan, more power to them. But I couldn't do it! I try to reserve beef for no more than a couple of times a week and make sure I include salmon or other fish at least a couple of times a week as well. I fill in the rest with chicken and pork. I include some whole wheat or veggie pasta and vegetables at each meal, too. As long as your diet is balanced, I think you take whatever approach works for you. My problem with vegetarian or vegan is that I am not a bean lover, so getting sufficient protein would be tough for me.0
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kmbrooks15 wrote: »I'm a meat eater! I think it can all be healthy if you do it right. But it has to be about balance. I would happy if I could live off of steak and mashed potatoes. But that's not going to help me lose weight or be healthy, so probably a bad idea. But chicken, pork, fish, beef--all of it can be good for you. If someone else wants to be vegetarian or vegan, more power to them. But I couldn't do it! I try to reserve beef for no more than a couple of times a week and make sure I include salmon or other fish at least a couple of times a week as well. I fill in the rest with chicken and pork. I include some whole wheat or veggie pasta and vegetables at each meal, too. As long as your diet is balanced, I think you take whatever approach works for you. My problem with vegetarian or vegan is that I am not a bean lover, so getting sufficient protein would be tough for me.
Other plant sources of protein include tofu, tempeh, seitan, hemp/rice/soy protein powders, grains, and vegetables.0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »I think they can all be equally healthy.
Indeed, varying protein sources is a good idea...
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I eat meat. I can't get enough protein without it and quite frankly a lot of the veggie sources of protein have inflammatory qualities.1
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beautifulwarrior18 wrote: »a lot of the veggie sources of protein have inflammatory qualities.
Really?2 -
beautifulwarrior18 wrote: »a lot of the veggie sources of protein have inflammatory qualities.
Really?
+1
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Any diet can work as long as it's varied with many different foods. Obviously, the more you restrict your diet the harder it gets to maintain variety but yeah- no diet is inherently healthier than the next. Having said that; the meat industry is horrible and everyone should keep an open mind to adapting to a more sustainable way of life.1
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jessica_sodenkamp wrote: »My diet is vegan. (Specifically hclf vegan.) Why?
It cured my anemia. I lost 25+ pounds. I'm getting more protein than I did when I ate meat.
I'm achieving more nutrient goals than before. In fact, I didn't have to take prenatal pills during my pregnancy because I was getting everything I needed just from eating. My energy levels are through the roof.
And my favorite reason...I can eat as much of anything that I'd like...given that I'm eating hclf. In fact, I was eating 2500-3000 calories when I lost the weight (and exercising sporadically at best). Pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, ice cream...I love it.
Are you saying that you could eat above TDEE and lose weight?0 -
jessica_sodenkamp wrote: »My diet is vegan. (Specifically hclf vegan.) Why?
It cured my anemia. I lost 25+ pounds. I'm getting more protein than I did when I ate meat.
I'm achieving more nutrient goals than before. In fact, I didn't have to take prenatal pills during my pregnancy because I was getting everything I needed just from eating. My energy levels are through the roof.
And my favorite reason...I can eat as much of anything that I'd like...given that I'm eating hclf. In fact, I was eating 2500-3000 calories when I lost the weight (and exercising sporadically at best). Pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, ice cream...I love it.
Are you saying that you could eat above TDEE and lose weight?
Given that I gained my extra weight by eating vegan pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, and ice cream (and then lost it while still eating those things, but counting calories), I am extremely dubious about this claim.2 -
nellebelle14 wrote: »Hey everyone! Not totally new to MFP, but I took a 6 month hiatus and I am now back! I've started a vegan diet (about 1.5 weeks ago) for many great reasons, and I love it so far! I'm looking to add some vegan friends on here since I'm super new at this. I need all the support, motivation and nutritional information I can get on this vegan lifestyle! Any helpful advice is welcome ❤️
You posted on my birthday!
Welcome to the Vegan community, I myself just transitioned as well about 3 weeks ago from a vegetarian diet. Mainly for health, but also for what felt true to my soul. That's when the light bulb click for me. When I decided that for me, not only was it about a healthier living opportunity, but also a moral acceptance.
I can't imagine going back, as I now feel my respiratory system so much better. I don't wake up with congested sinuses anymore, need to use my netti pot less frecuent, and I have cut down from 2 steroid asthma inhalers, twice a day to ONE ONCE a day!
To each is own belief I am not up for arguing with anyone about your choices. Each individual needs to do what you can sleep with at night with, and what works best for your system, and health.
Just the same, will not be defending my choices, and moral perspective reasons for compassion for ALL sentient beings.
Feel free to add me nellebelle, so we can support each other.0 -
jessica_sodenkamp wrote: »My diet is vegan. (Specifically hclf vegan.) Why?
It cured my anemia. I lost 25+ pounds. I'm getting more protein than I did when I ate meat.
I'm achieving more nutrient goals than before. In fact, I didn't have to take prenatal pills during my pregnancy because I was getting everything I needed just from eating. My energy levels are through the roof.
And my favorite reason...I can eat as much of anything that I'd like...given that I'm eating hclf. In fact, I was eating 2500-3000 calories when I lost the weight (and exercising sporadically at best). Pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, ice cream...I love it.
Ice cream isn't vegan. Did you mean some type of faux ice cream?0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »jessica_sodenkamp wrote: »My diet is vegan. (Specifically hclf vegan.) Why?
It cured my anemia. I lost 25+ pounds. I'm getting more protein than I did when I ate meat.
I'm achieving more nutrient goals than before. In fact, I didn't have to take prenatal pills during my pregnancy because I was getting everything I needed just from eating. My energy levels are through the roof.
And my favorite reason...I can eat as much of anything that I'd like...given that I'm eating hclf. In fact, I was eating 2500-3000 calories when I lost the weight (and exercising sporadically at best). Pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, ice cream...I love it.
Ice cream isn't vegan. Did you mean some type of faux ice cream?
There are tons of commercial vegan ice creams available now. Even Ben and Jerry's has some.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »jessica_sodenkamp wrote: »My diet is vegan. (Specifically hclf vegan.) Why?
It cured my anemia. I lost 25+ pounds. I'm getting more protein than I did when I ate meat.
I'm achieving more nutrient goals than before. In fact, I didn't have to take prenatal pills during my pregnancy because I was getting everything I needed just from eating. My energy levels are through the roof.
And my favorite reason...I can eat as much of anything that I'd like...given that I'm eating hclf. In fact, I was eating 2500-3000 calories when I lost the weight (and exercising sporadically at best). Pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, ice cream...I love it.
Ice cream isn't vegan. Did you mean some type of faux ice cream?
There are tons of commercial vegan ice creams available now. Even Ben and Jerry's has some.
So ... yes, faux ice cream.0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »jessica_sodenkamp wrote: »My diet is vegan. (Specifically hclf vegan.) Why?
It cured my anemia. I lost 25+ pounds. I'm getting more protein than I did when I ate meat.
I'm achieving more nutrient goals than before. In fact, I didn't have to take prenatal pills during my pregnancy because I was getting everything I needed just from eating. My energy levels are through the roof.
And my favorite reason...I can eat as much of anything that I'd like...given that I'm eating hclf. In fact, I was eating 2500-3000 calories when I lost the weight (and exercising sporadically at best). Pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, ice cream...I love it.
Ice cream isn't vegan. Did you mean some type of faux ice cream?
There are tons of commercial vegan ice creams available now. Even Ben and Jerry's has some.
So ... yes, faux ice cream.
Wikipedia says that ice cream is "usually" made with dairy. It doesn't list it as a requirement.
I think you're just looking for an excuse to label vegan options as "faux food." So have fun with that.4 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »jessica_sodenkamp wrote: »My diet is vegan. (Specifically hclf vegan.) Why?
It cured my anemia. I lost 25+ pounds. I'm getting more protein than I did when I ate meat.
I'm achieving more nutrient goals than before. In fact, I didn't have to take prenatal pills during my pregnancy because I was getting everything I needed just from eating. My energy levels are through the roof.
And my favorite reason...I can eat as much of anything that I'd like...given that I'm eating hclf. In fact, I was eating 2500-3000 calories when I lost the weight (and exercising sporadically at best). Pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, ice cream...I love it.
Ice cream isn't vegan. Did you mean some type of faux ice cream?
There are tons of commercial vegan ice creams available now. Even Ben and Jerry's has some.
So ... yes, faux ice cream.
Wikipedia says that ice cream is "usually" made with dairy. It doesn't list it as a requirement.
I think you're just looking for an excuse to label vegan options as "faux food." So have fun with that.
Ummmm. Ice cream has "cream" right there in the name (Wikipedia be damned). Vegan ice cream is an oxymoron. Of course I also refuse to call nut juice almond or cashew or soy "milk". It's only milk if it came from a teat. I'm guessing vegan ice "cream" is really better named ice soy. But then no one would buy it
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Edit -double post.... MFP is acting funny for me today0
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Edit - double post0
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janejellyroll wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »jessica_sodenkamp wrote: »My diet is vegan. (Specifically hclf vegan.) Why?
It cured my anemia. I lost 25+ pounds. I'm getting more protein than I did when I ate meat.
I'm achieving more nutrient goals than before. In fact, I didn't have to take prenatal pills during my pregnancy because I was getting everything I needed just from eating. My energy levels are through the roof.
And my favorite reason...I can eat as much of anything that I'd like...given that I'm eating hclf. In fact, I was eating 2500-3000 calories when I lost the weight (and exercising sporadically at best). Pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, ice cream...I love it.
Ice cream isn't vegan. Did you mean some type of faux ice cream?
There are tons of commercial vegan ice creams available now. Even Ben and Jerry's has some.
So ... yes, faux ice cream.
Wikipedia says that ice cream is "usually" made with dairy. It doesn't list it as a requirement.
I think you're just looking for an excuse to label vegan options as "faux food." So have fun with that.
No, not faux food, faux ice cream. Like turkey bacon is faux bacon or tofurkey is faux turkey, but both are food.1 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »jessica_sodenkamp wrote: »My diet is vegan. (Specifically hclf vegan.) Why?
It cured my anemia. I lost 25+ pounds. I'm getting more protein than I did when I ate meat.
I'm achieving more nutrient goals than before. In fact, I didn't have to take prenatal pills during my pregnancy because I was getting everything I needed just from eating. My energy levels are through the roof.
And my favorite reason...I can eat as much of anything that I'd like...given that I'm eating hclf. In fact, I was eating 2500-3000 calories when I lost the weight (and exercising sporadically at best). Pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, ice cream...I love it.
Ice cream isn't vegan. Did you mean some type of faux ice cream?
There are tons of commercial vegan ice creams available now. Even Ben and Jerry's has some.
So ... yes, faux ice cream.
Wikipedia says that ice cream is "usually" made with dairy. It doesn't list it as a requirement.
I think you're just looking for an excuse to label vegan options as "faux food." So have fun with that.
Not sure about other countries, but at least in the US, that would not be "ice cream". It would be a "non-dairy frozen desert". To be called "ice cream", a product must use milk and contain a certain amount of milk solids and fat. Some products which still have milk but cut back on the cream to save costs or make diet deserts are called "frozen dairy desert". Although colloquially, all of these products would be still be called ice cream.
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »jessica_sodenkamp wrote: »My diet is vegan. (Specifically hclf vegan.) Why?
It cured my anemia. I lost 25+ pounds. I'm getting more protein than I did when I ate meat.
I'm achieving more nutrient goals than before. In fact, I didn't have to take prenatal pills during my pregnancy because I was getting everything I needed just from eating. My energy levels are through the roof.
And my favorite reason...I can eat as much of anything that I'd like...given that I'm eating hclf. In fact, I was eating 2500-3000 calories when I lost the weight (and exercising sporadically at best). Pasta, sushi, fruit, burritos, curry, smoothies, ice cream...I love it.
Ice cream isn't vegan. Did you mean some type of faux ice cream?
There are tons of commercial vegan ice creams available now. Even Ben and Jerry's has some.
So ... yes, faux ice cream.
Wikipedia says that ice cream is "usually" made with dairy. It doesn't list it as a requirement.
I think you're just looking for an excuse to label vegan options as "faux food." So have fun with that.
No, not faux food, faux ice cream. Like turkey bacon is faux bacon or tofurkey is faux turkey, but both are food.
I understand what you're saying, I just don't agree that ice cream can only be made with dairy products or that it makes sense to correct a vegan who says they eat "ice cream" due to an expectation that s/he should write "faux ice cream" instead.6
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