Woman goes decades without rice or animal products

January 10, 2010

In Vietnam, it's not easy to get along without rice. But Nguyen Thi Lua of Hau

Loc Commune in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long has been doing just fine

for 44 years.

Ever since rice began making her sick to her stomach at the age of 28, she's

stayed away from the grain and all rice products entirely.

After recovering from a year of intense treatment for a serious liver disease,

Lua woke up one day to find herself allergic to rice, the number one food staple

in Vietnam.

Anytime she ate rice, she became immediately nauseas with sharp pains in her

stomach and shortness of breath. She said she would find it difficult to breathe

until she regurgitated the grain.

" I felt I was eating bitter tree bark... then it felt like some one was punching

me in the stomach violently. "

Now 72 and vegan for decades, Lua is healthier than ever.

She said after switching from a regular diet to one without rice and infused

with more fruits and vegetables, she's been in tip-top shape. She gave up animal

products and became a vegan when she stopped eating rice.

" After I quit rice, I became slender with a slim waist, light complexion and

shiny black hair, " said Lua. " Other girls gossiped about my diet until they

realized I wasn't just trying to attract men. "

Lua's neighbor, Nguyen Van Sau, said all local residents knew Lua's story.

" Whenever there is a party, people always prepare more vegetables dishes for

her, " he said.

Lua also said she had begun eating less ever since she turned 50 years and one

simple dish of boiled vegetables was enough to hold her every day.

But she looks great, full-bodied and strong.

And unlike many Vietnamese, she's proud to say that she can take long bus

journeys without feeling sick to her stomach.

Lua also said she hoped researchers would study her case to find out the cause

of her allergy while also understanding how such a simple diet could be so

healthy.

Reported by Ngoc Nhung

Recommended Posts