New here... :)

[Guest guest]

Hi! Just joined this group so wanted to introduce myself. I'm Jen

in Ohio. I've been a lacto-ovo veg for the past 6 years. I went to

a vegetarian conference last weekend, where'd I say at least 50%

(maybe more?) of the attendees were vegan, and it gave me the

motivation to finally drop the eggs and dairy from my diet. It's

been a week now, and I feel great, but I have so much to learn!

 

I went vegetarian for the animals, and the health aspects everyone

talks about were really just a side benefit for me. So I felt like

I was doing pretty good, eating a lot of meat alternatives (Boca,

Quorn, etc), but at the conference they talked about the importance

of eating more whole foods and just eating those types of meat

analogs occasionally. I guess I never realized how much processed

stuff I was putting into my body - I just knew it wasn't meat so

figured it was ok. Even though I was veg, I was still trying to eat

a pretty high protein, low-carb diet (for weight control), so was

eating a lot of soy burgers, etc (not to mention tons of cheese) but

now that I've tried to limit those and eat more beans and grains,

etc, I do find I'm eating a LOT less protein (35g now vs 150g

previously daily!). I weight train and am pretty muscular, so am a

little concerned. Does anyone know, what really are the body's

protein requirements? And what are the best vegan protein sources?

 

Here's another dumb (and personal) question - it never occured to me

that birth control pills and shots are made of hormones (and I'm

guessing NOT human ones?). Any recommendations?

 

Thanks so much - looking forward to getting to know everyone!

 

- Jen

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen;

 

Congratulations on your recent improvements to your diet! You're definitely on

the right track!

 

Here is a good article that explains about protein needs:

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/protein.html

 

I believe birth control hormones are synthetic (non-animal based)

http://www.epigee.org/guide/pill.html

 

Wishing you all the best,

 

Deborah

 

 

Hi! Just joined this group so wanted to introduce myself. I'm Jen

in Ohio. I've been a lacto-ovo veg for the past 6 years. I went to

a vegetarian conference last weekend, where'd I say at least 50%

(maybe more?) of the attendees were vegan, and it gave me the

motivation to finally drop the eggs and dairy from my diet. It's

been a week now, and I feel great, but I have so much to learn!

 

I went vegetarian for the animals, and the health aspects everyone

talks about were really just a side benefit for me. So I felt like

I was doing pretty good, eating a lot of meat alternatives (Boca,

Quorn, etc), but at the conference they talked about the importance

of eating more whole foods and just eating those types of meat

analogs occasionally. I guess I never realized how much processed

stuff I was putting into my body - I just knew it wasn't meat so

figured it was ok. Even though I was veg, I was still trying to eat

a pretty high protein, low-carb diet (for weight control), so was

eating a lot of soy burgers, etc (not to mention tons of cheese) but

now that I've tried to limit those and eat more beans and grains,

etc, I do find I'm eating a LOT less protein (35g now vs 150g

previously daily!). I weight train and am pretty muscular, so am a

little concerned. Does anyone know, what really are the body's

protein requirements? And what are the best vegan protein sources?

 

Here's another dumb (and personal) question - it never occured to me

that birth control pills and shots are made of hormones (and I'm

guessing NOT human ones?). Any recommendations?

 

Thanks so much - looking forward to getting to know everyone!

 

- Jen

.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Congrats on taking that next, although difficult, step!

 

I use Depo-Provera (the shot) for my birth control. I read in VegNews

that it is completely vegan. I know a lot of folks aren't keen on the

shot, but my experience has been wonderful...and I am going on 8 years

now.

 

As far as high protein...experiment with making your own seitan.

EXTREMELY high in protein, low in carbs and fat. Also, I am a big fan

of TVP (textured vegetable protein) granules. They are processed, but

it seems much healthier than the OVER processed frozen alternatives.

 

Good luck and welcome!

 

Joni