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Post by lesserknownpea on Jun 21, 2021 21:12:30 GMT
How is everybody doing?
I thought a good topic for today would be how are people‘s friends, families, and others supporting or discouraging your goals?
I have been eating this way for five years, and the difference in my looks and health is substantial. And yet, I saw a nephew last week, who after telling me how good I look, then launched into the usual “am I getting enough protein?” And then an anecdote about somebody he knew who had a brain tumor and was sick until they put meat back into their diet. And this from someone who in the last two decades went from a beautiful and fit young man to a severely unfit and partially crippled 40 something. It can be hard to simply smile, thank them for their concern, and change the subject.
Of course, I am one week into my diet to avoid migraine triggers , and I have to admit I’m finding it a little challenging to find something to eat. Especially when I’m having cravings for something thing that is on the list of things I can’t eat.
Fortunately, my close family is supportive in this new endeavor and that helps.
I’d also love to hear how your week went, are you feeling good health, and enjoying the dishes/recipes?
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jun 22, 2021 3:30:24 GMT
Evening bump, and while I’m here, I hope you’re feeling better, birukitty |
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jun 22, 2021 11:28:11 GMT
Maybe next time you're asked about protein, just say that the last time you saw your doctor, your check up went great. It's crazy how obsessed with protein people are. I used to be a vegetarian 7 year ago but have since went back to eating meat. I'm now trying to reduce the meat and increase the veggies. My favorite lunch is toast with avocado, onion, tomato and salt.
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mimix3
Junior Member
Posts: 97
Jun 15, 2020 0:56:27 GMT
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Post by mimix3 on Jun 22, 2021 13:24:19 GMT
Oh I have been called everything from a yuppy to a communist democrat!  I actually do not care what people think because I feel so much better. |
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Post by guzismom on Jun 22, 2021 13:29:14 GMT
I've been surprised with how on board my hubby has been; he eats whatever I prepare, no questions asked...and has even complimented a few of the new plant based dishes I've made.
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Post by sillyrabbit on Jun 22, 2021 15:11:30 GMT
I've only been at this for about 3 months but most people in my life are supportive. DH has been very supportive and tries his best to partake in my meals as much as possible. If he just can't do it then he fixes himself something else without complaint. The vast improvement in the way I feel since starting this journey keeps me motivated regardless, but it's nice to have supportive people in my life.
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Post by birukitty on Jun 22, 2021 16:31:02 GMT
Evening bump, and while I’m here, I hope you’re feeling better, birukitty I'm feeling a bit better this week thanks so much for asking lesserknownpea. I did have one monster migraine on Saturday but was able to get rid of it and then just had the hangover, recovery day on Sunday. But we had another big storm last night and no migraine (yippee) so things are looking up. I just knocked wood  Thanks so much for taking over this thread-I really appreciate it. |
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Post by birukitty on Jun 22, 2021 16:47:35 GMT
I've been very lucky in having supportive family during my 6 years of eating WFPB. DH has been very supportive and since I do the grocery shopping and cooking DH and DS will eat whatever I cook by this point. DH was 100% into it from the first. DS still loves meat and if he doesn't like what I cook he'll make something else for himself for dinner. He's an adult. At this point in time though I'd say he only eats meat 1 or 2 days a week if that.
Ugh...the old protein question. I just read an article in one of the facebook groups I'm in-it was Forks over Knives. This is what they said regarding protein: the average recommended intake of protein is 42 grams a day. Non-vegetarians eat way more than that (almost 80 grams) and and so does everyone else. Vegetarians and Vegans actually average 70 percent more protein than they need every day (over 70 grams). There is so much fuss over protein even though studies show that 97% of Americans eat enough protein. The article goes on to say what Americans don't eat enough of is fiber.
I can't do links but if you'd like to read the article you can find it here forksoverknives.com/wellness/do-vegetarians-and-vegans-eat-enough-protein/ I hope that works.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jun 22, 2021 18:04:38 GMT
Oh I have been called everything from a yuppy to a communist democrat! I actually do not care what people think because I feel so much better. Isn’t it funny the assumptions people make? Sometimes if a person gets snarky about animal activism, I’ll tell them that I eat this way for my health, but if they would like to talk about largescale meat production, I’d be happy to. That always shuts them up, or they agree with me that the industry is heinous. I make it a point not to get into debates about animal rights with people, but when they start throwing insults at me, I just make sure they know I’m not buying it. As for being called a “communist democrat”, that’s funny, but there does seem to be in certain circles the idea that eating meat,(even large amounts), is particularly “American “. There may be truth to that. I’ve traveled some, and most other cultures serve smaller amounts of meat. |
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jun 22, 2021 18:13:10 GMT
I've only been at this for about 3 months but most people in my life are supportive. DH has been very supportive and tries his best to partake in my meals as much as possible. If he just can't do it then he fixes himself something else without complaint. The vast improvement in the way I feel since starting this journey keeps me motivated regardless, but it's nice to have supportive people in my life. That’s the way DS and DIL are here. They always check to see if I want anything at the grocery, they are careful to leave some veggies without oil and butter or cheese, and often eat at least some of the dishes I make. DS will tease me about dinner if the stereotypes concerning vegans, but it’s just teasing. DIL eats a lot less meat and dairy than she used to. But they still both act like their lovely healthy five year old will die if she doesn’t get “ protein “ , ( meaning meat or dairy), at every meal. That makes me sad, because the child has a wonderful appetite, and happily eats all kinds of fruits and veggies and I hate to see parents making meal time into a battle of wills. I just dream and hope that one day DS will decide he wants to improve his health. He’s about to turn 40, and has so many health problems. I’m so happy to hear that you are enjoying benefits from eating this way! That makes me very happy. |
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Post by sillyrabbit on Jun 22, 2021 18:34:49 GMT
I’m so happy to hear that you are enjoying benefits from eating this way! That makes me very happy. I am surprised at how much I love eating this way. I am currently peaing while eating my lunch of Texas Caviar (black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, red onion, and some spices) over brown jasmine rice, and it is so delicious! There is no deprivation at all. I honestly feel like I'm splurging sometimes because stuff tastes so good. I don't miss meat or dairy even a little. |
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Post by Ryann on Jun 26, 2021 1:39:56 GMT
Thank you for taking over the weekly thread, lesserknownpea  I've been working this week on sourcing and buying different WFPB pantry staples and removing animal/processed foods from my kitchen to make room for the new ingredients! I tried (unsweetened) soy milk and a plant based protein powder for the first time today in a smoothie. I was surprised that it tasted sweeter than the smoothies I used to usually make. For lunch I had the "Vegan Salad" from the Sprouts deli section. There was some kind of grain in it that I've never had before. It was good, although next time I will make a WFPB dressing as I think the one included had oil in it. I provide 95% of the food DH eats, so he is grudgingly going along with my transition to a plant based diet purely out of laziness. He 100% supports this for me, but isn't thrilled for him, lol. My hope is we will both feel/see the benefits of changing our eating sooner rather than later, and any sacrifices he (we) feel we are making will be worth it. I'm 100% committed to this and am cautiously optimistic, as I feel like for the first time in a LONG time, I'm ready to make a real effort to be healthier. After looking at many recipes, I realize that cooking WFPB is an entirely new skill and I'm going to be learning "how to cook" all over again. To help me learn the ropes, I've joined a subscription meal planning site (Clean Food Dirty Girl). The recipes look delicious and I'm really looking forward to "officially" starting on Monday. Until then, I'm throwing together easy bean/rice/veggie bowls with lots of fruit/salad/vegs on the side. We're going to a friend's house on Sunday to play boardgames. We've already talked about snacks/beverages for the day. Typically they would offer us wine, desserts and unhealthy snacks. I suggested we bring some things to supplement their offerings. I got a huge watermelon to bring and will make a Clean Food Dirty Girl creamy spinach dip to bring over with veggies & tortilla chips. I know what I'll be eating. |
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I actually do not care what people think because I feel so much better.
