Plant based for the better
bkuyk9
Posts: 14 Member
Hello, My name is Ben. I started my journey to a new me after years of misinformation about healthy eating. I tried numerous methods, read numerous blogs, and stayed true to the gym; I had no luck. It wasn’t until I gained a considerable amount of weight on my 5’9” frame (221lbs & 29% bf) that I took a hard long look at my future. To start, a lot of my weight gain was from over eating throughout the day and a daily habit of drinking whisky. The alcohol was an onset from my things: Iraq, work, and moving. The most of my weight though was gained after learning my yet unborn child would have open heart surgery within days of coming into the world; my wife and I were devasted. This lead to stress, depression, worry, and anxiety: I coped with eating and drinking.
Fast forwarding to now, my now 1 yr old son is a rockstar and exceeding all expectations. This jump started my journey that began Feb 4, 2018. After watching “What the Health” on Netflix and talking with my mother and brother (both plant based); my wife and I decided to give it a go. We still have some luxury meals but we mainly stick to a plant based lifestyle and I couldn’t be happier. People comment on my weight loss, my skin, and my overall attitude.
My starting weight, as I stated above was 221 lbs. my blood pressure was 125/55 and my resting pulse was in the 60s.
I am now 183lbs. My BP is 115/76 and my resting HR is 40. I feel like I’m back at my fighting weight and I’ve gotten a new resurgence as I’m approaching 35 yrs old.
I’m here to just share my story, meet individuals on my same journey, and to learn from others while sharing the knowledge that’s benefited me.
Feel free to add me.
Fast forwarding to now, my now 1 yr old son is a rockstar and exceeding all expectations. This jump started my journey that began Feb 4, 2018. After watching “What the Health” on Netflix and talking with my mother and brother (both plant based); my wife and I decided to give it a go. We still have some luxury meals but we mainly stick to a plant based lifestyle and I couldn’t be happier. People comment on my weight loss, my skin, and my overall attitude.
My starting weight, as I stated above was 221 lbs. my blood pressure was 125/55 and my resting pulse was in the 60s.
I am now 183lbs. My BP is 115/76 and my resting HR is 40. I feel like I’m back at my fighting weight and I’ve gotten a new resurgence as I’m approaching 35 yrs old.
I’m here to just share my story, meet individuals on my same journey, and to learn from others while sharing the knowledge that’s benefited me.
Feel free to add me.
5
Replies
-
Great job! Plant-based here too and I have to say, I’m loving it as well. I’ve been on this journey for a while, but am happy with the changes I’ve made! I’m short, 5’3” and was 240 lbs. I’m now down to 158.7 and am excited about my weight Loss! And I’m sure your son will have an awesome coach in his corner for health and fitness!2
-
Thank you. My wife has lost 38 since February as well. Most of the comments I receive are “you’ve lost a ton of weight, look great, but you don’t look sick 😂”. I take that as a huge compliment, because I’ve seen tons of weight loss stories where the individual looks sickly. I’m loving the new lifestyle. Thank you for your reply.0
-
Curious as to what your "luxury meals" consist of.2
-
My luxury meals are pretty simple. On occasion, my wife and I have an animal protein or dairy. I forgot to mention we gave up dairy as well. We look at those as more of a luxury now than a staple of our every day diet.0
-
Thanks for taking the time to share your journey and progress. What are your staples protein based foods ,you eat most often on your plant based diet?1
-
Hi, I’m Irish and plant based for a few months now. I’ve got down from 175lbs to 164lbs and getting loads of comments which feels great. I like the idea of the luxury meals, might try that!1
-
My “Luxury Meals” consist of a large bag of Kettles Sea Salt and Vinegar chips.... to myself.... 😂1
-
After watching “What the Health” on Netflix and talking with my mother and brother (both plant based); my wife and I decided to give it a go. We still have some luxury meals but we mainly stick to a plant based lifestyle and I couldn’t be happier. People comment on my weight loss, my skin, and my overall attitude.
First I'll say congrats on the weight loss and getting healthier, that's awesome. If you want to eat plant based that's fine, but "What the Health" is riddled with misinformation and inaccuracies and has been absolutely demolished and picked apart by experts in the nutrition world. If you want to learn more about nutrition science that's awesome, but in general steer clear of agenda driven documentaries on Netflix and dive into the actual scientific research for the real answers.
6 -
Well, I have numerous friends and family who have benefited greatly by going plant based. I see no agenda telling people to eat more plants and steer clear of red meats and dairy. There are tons of studies in the USA and abroad who have backed the science of eating plant based. The documentary was just one tool in the larger tool box that got me interested in bettering my health through plants. I can only testify what it’s done for me. Each and every person has to expireience it for themselves. Thank you for your input. I love learning.6
-
LovingReds wrote: »Thanks for taking the time to share your journey and progress. What are your staples protein based foods ,you eat most often on your plant based diet?
Hi thanks for replying. My protein mainly consist of beans, spinach, quinoa, hemp hearts, plant based proteins (pea based). I rarely eat soy based and try to steer clear of to many processed plant meals. My wife and I make tons of soups packed full of nutrients.
My main supplementation though is a plant protein called “garden of life” raw organic meal replacement. It’s chalked full of nutrients and has 20 grams of protein per serving. I also love “Orgain Organic Protein” for my smoothies. Favorite flavors are vanilla bean and chocolate peanut butter.
0 -
Well, I have numerous friends and family who have benefited greatly by going plant based.
That is called anecdotal evidence and is pretty much meaningless when it comes to the scientific method.I see no agenda telling people to eat more plants and steer clear of red meats and dairy.
You see no agenda? Veganism is a business, make no mistake of it, and a pretty profitable one at that. People make billions of dollars selling vegan branded products to people, that is the agenda.There are tons of studies in the USA and abroad who have backed the science of eating plant based.
Could you cite a credible one?4 -
It's also worth noting that if you care about the environment, plant based diets are much worse for the environment than the alternative3
-
I’m not doing it for the environment. I’m doing it for my overall health. My blood work is better than ever and my BP is where it should be. My heart is working as efficient as if I took 10 yrs off my life. Good luck to you. Like I said, I know what’s worked for me and mine..each person is different..I see a sustainable future where my diet can last my lifetime: however long that may be.4
-
Well, I have numerous friends and family who have benefited greatly by going plant based.
That is called anecdotal evidence and is pretty much meaningless when it comes to the scientific method.I see no agenda telling people to eat more plants and steer clear of red meats and dairy.
You see no agenda? Veganism is a business, make no mistake of it, and a pretty profitable one at that. People make billions of dollars selling vegan branded products to people, that is the agenda.There are tons of studies in the USA and abroad who have backed the science of eating plant based.
Could you cite a credible one?
Here’s one:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/1 -
I’m not doing it for the environment. I’m doing it for my overall health. My blood work is better than ever and my BP is where it should be. My heart is working as efficient as if I took 10 yrs off my life. Good luck to you. Like I said, I know what’s worked for me and mine..each person is different..I see a sustainable future where my diet can last my lifetime: however long that may be.
Because you lost weight, and are eating more fiber, and I'm guessing you're more active as well, all of which can easily be done on an omnivorous diet4 -
I’m not doing it for the environment. I’m doing it for my overall health. My blood work is better than ever and my BP is where it should be. My heart is working as efficient as if I took 10 yrs off my life. Good luck to you. Like I said, I know what’s worked for me and mine..each person is different..I see a sustainable future where my diet can last my lifetime: however long that may be.
Because you lost weight, and are eating more fiber, and I'm guessing you're more active as well, all of which can easily be done on an omnivorous diet
To each their own..good luck with your trolling. Your shirt says it all.2 -
This is full of population studies, which show nothing even approaching causation, it's full of correlative studies like the China study, doesn't isolate different variables at all, doesn't control for nearly anything. Population studies are not clinical studies where the scientific method is actually used. A calorie deficit always causes weight loss, and a calorie surplus always causes weight gain. Yes most people who consume meat don't consume enough fiber, don't exercise enough, over consume on calories, but that's because most of the world by a large large margin consumes meat, so people who make a conscious decision not to eat meat, also tend to be more active, also tend to actually pay attention to what they're eating. It's analogous to saying most people who die in shipwrecks spend a lot of time on ships...well yea that's obvious1 -
I’m not doing it for the environment. I’m doing it for my overall health. My blood work is better than ever and my BP is where it should be. My heart is working as efficient as if I took 10 yrs off my life. Good luck to you. Like I said, I know what’s worked for me and mine..each person is different..I see a sustainable future where my diet can last my lifetime: however long that may be.
Because you lost weight, and are eating more fiber, and I'm guessing you're more active as well, all of which can easily be done on an omnivorous diet
To each their own..good luck with your trolling. Your shirt says it all.
Yeah, just ignore people like that. You know what works for you and trolls like that are nothing but negativity. Good Luck!4 -
-
It's also worth noting that if you care about the environment, plant based diets are much worse for the environment than the alternative
I'm really curious to hear how you can back that up as it is the exact opposite as far as I know but I'm always eager to learn new insights - so can you please elaborate?1 -
Hi, I’m trying to commit to a plant based lifestyle and so far lost 11lbs on it which I’m pretty happy with. Everything about my body feels lighter and better and just... easier. I’m doing it for ethics and health but I find I can’t kick my cravings for fish and cheese- the only two things I eat that aren’t plant based! Fish is at least healthy for you but obviously cheese is pretty terrible in every aspect! Any advice on letting these go? Did anyone on this thread ever have a problem with letting go of certain foods either?3
-
Premade vegan cheese is grosse. I suggest looking on Pinterest for homemade vegan cheeses! They are DELICIOUS. My favorite ones are cashew based and are perfect for pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches! Seriously, they taste better than real cheese.2
-
Premade vegan cheese is grosse. I suggest looking on Pinterest for homemade vegan cheeses! They are DELICIOUS. My favorite ones are cashew based and are perfect for pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches! Seriously, they taste better than real cheese.
I’ll give it a go! Thanks that should help me a lot- one step closer! Much appreciated x
0 -
Hi, I’m trying to commit to a plant based lifestyle and so far lost 11lbs on it which I’m pretty happy with. Everything about my body feels lighter and better and just... easier. I’m doing it for ethics and health but I find I can’t kick my cravings for fish and cheese- the only two things I eat that aren’t plant based! Fish is at least healthy for you but obviously cheese is pretty terrible in every aspect! Any advice on letting these go? Did anyone on this thread ever have a problem with letting go of certain foods either?
The answer is casomorphins—protein fragments, derived from the digestion of the milk protein, Casein. The distinguishing characteristic of casomorphins is that they have an opioid effect. Yup. Opioids are among the world’s oldest known drugs.
Some researchers believe this occurs as a way to ensure babies (humans, cows, etc.) continue to nurse during infancy, which helps the survival of the species. That helps explain why we look so happy when nursing and also why it feels so good to eat cheese. For perspective, a cup of milk contains 7.7 grams of protein, 80% of which is casein. When converted to cheddar, for example, the protein content multiplies 7-fold, to 56 grams. It’s the most concentrated form of casein in any food in the grocery store. Basically, if milk is cocaine, then cheese is crack.
As a vegan there is only 1 good advice I can give: go 'cold turkey' on cheese ;-) and after 3 weeks or so, you eat vegan cheese and it will be a great substitute. You need to rewire your brain, so to speak.
Re. fish: if you're eating plant based for ethics - know that fish die very very slowly, it takes hours once out of the water. Know also that there are no animal welfare regulations for fish - they are horribly mistreated and gutted alive - it's gruesome. Fish and chickens are treated even worse than pigs and caddle.
And fish do feel pain, they do have social and family ties, they are more intelligent than once perceived.
there are fish that can identify objects from drawings, match colors....
Read the book 'what a fish knows' - you'll be amazed.
So, if you really want to let go en care for those animals: just picture a dying, gutted fish, still moving in agony, sometimes for hours- and the craving will go away, I'm sure.
8 -
It's also worth noting that if you care about the environment, plant based diets are much worse for the environment than the alternative
I'm really curious to hear how you can back that up as it is the exact opposite as far as I know but I'm always eager to learn new insights - so can you please elaborate?
https://www.sciencealert.com/vegetarian-and-healthy-diets-may-actually-be-worse-for-the-environment-study-finds1 -
janejellyroll wrote: »
Sure, but meat and dairy is far more calorically dense than plant based foods. If a significant portion of the world's population were to stop consuming animal products and offset that calorie loss by eating plant foods, agricultural water usage would skyrocket, energy usage (which in the U.S. comes mainly from burning coal) would skyrocket, and overall carbon emissions would increase.2 -
I’m not doing it for the environment. I’m doing it for my overall health. My blood work is better than ever and my BP is where it should be. My heart is working as efficient as if I took 10 yrs off my life. Good luck to you. Like I said, I know what’s worked for me and mine..each person is different..I see a sustainable future where my diet can last my lifetime: however long that may be.
Because you lost weight, and are eating more fiber, and I'm guessing you're more active as well, all of which can easily be done on an omnivorous diet
To each their own..good luck with your trolling. Your shirt says it all.
Yeah, just ignore people like that. You know what works for you and trolls like that are nothing but negativity. Good Luck!
I wear this tank top because it's funny to see people's reaction who don't agree with me, and people who do agree with me get a laugh often times. You can call it trolling, but if people care more about not killing animals for consumption than they do about actual humans dying from starvation, then I can't even have a conversation with you1 -
Premade vegan cheese is grosse. I suggest looking on Pinterest for homemade vegan cheeses! They are DELICIOUS. My favorite ones are cashew based and are perfect for pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches! Seriously, they taste better than real cheese.
I’ll give it a go! Thanks that should help me a lot- one step closer! Much appreciated x
Some like to add nutritional yeast to meals due to its creamy texture and similar taste as cheese. Homemade Cashew Cheese is the best IMO.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »
You don't even need to look at the pollution from livestock farming to demonstrate the ridiculousness of the statement that plant-based diets are worse for the environment than the alternative, because ultimately the animals people eat are eating plant-based diets (or the animals are eating animals that eat plant-based diets). And it takes more plants for those animals to produce calories and protein for human consumption than it does for a person to get the equivalent amount of calories and protein directly from the plants (especially given that livestock raised for human consumption are now being raised on grains and other plants that humans are capable of utilizing directly, rather than being raised on grasses that humans didn't have the right kind of digestive system to make good use of).
TL;dr version: If raising plants is so bad for the environment, humans would still reduce their environmental impact by eating the plants directly rather than bringing in "middle-man" livestock that will require more plants than the human would.2 -
Premade vegan cheese is grosse. I suggest looking on Pinterest for homemade vegan cheeses! They are DELICIOUS. My favorite ones are cashew based and are perfect for pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches! Seriously, they taste better than real cheese.
I’ll give it a go! Thanks that should help me a lot- one step closer! Much appreciated x
Some like to add nutritional yeast to meals due to its creamy texture and similar taste as cheese. Homemade Cashew Cheese is the best IMO.
Yes a lot of people love nutritional yeast and it’s cheesiness. Unfortunately, it makes me very sick. I’m not sure why it does, but for some weird reason even a small amount causes very uncomfortable bloating and nausea.
which sucks since Every “cheesy” recipe I’ve found adds it! 0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 424 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions