Becoming a new vegetarian

January 17, 2005

Kirsten,

What am you doing wrong?

Becoming a vegetarian is a major project. I have been a vegetarian for over 25

years. Those first few years were a lot of work. I had to do the following:

I had to learn to cook again

Deal with the folks who felt threatened by my change in lifestyle--25 years

later there are still some who still threatened.

I became a vegetarian over a 2 year period of time--first I quit eat eating

beef, then quit pork and lamb, then quit poultry, and finally quit eating

seafood.

Within about two years, I was unable to tolerate drinking coffee and alcohol

My basic foods became and are legumes and grains with lots of vegetables.

Later, I became interested in food politics and began focusing on more organic

foods.

From your letter, I am not at all sure what you are eating. I do not eat a lot

of soy products, but usually, unless people are soy intolerent, they can be

eaten in moderation.

Kathleen

Eureka CA

I have elliminated all animal products from my diet and have also

elliminated all refinded sugars and flours from my diet as well. I

am very tired. I am taking a vitiamin B-12 supplement under

different advice i have gotten here and from my doctor. Is there

something I am doing wrong? I am limiting grains. Although today I

did have some oatmeal and chinese noodles. I am advised against

tofu because of a health condition in which tofu and other soy

products can affect my body and the drugs I must take. Is this

normal for a new vegetarian?

Kirsten

January 17, 2005

I suffer from a condition known as PCOS Poly Cystic Ovary Disease. Doctors

do not know what causes it and only diagnose it from symptoms. I suffered

from this since I was a teen. It causes first of all cystic ovaries. These

are very painful. For years doctors told me that since there are no nerves

inside your body then these can't be causing pain. So I learned to ignore

the sudden stabbing pains in my sides that mimic appendicitis. Secondly the

illness brings on diabetes at a n earlier age in those prone to the disease.

Most women with also suffer from infertility. I have been blessed with two

of my own children. In fact the treatments I used to have my children are

now being tried on other women and I know of two successful pregnancies that

have occurred using the same methods. The average woman with PCOS develops

diabetes in their mid 30's. With the illness attacking the pancreas 95% of

it's sufferers are overweight many obese. In my support group I am the

thinnest at 236 pounds. Loosing weight is virtually impossible. I hope to

become a pioneer in weight loss and inspire my fellow sufferers to take a

stronger stance against this illness. This illness also attacks the heart.

With the added burden of obesity and naturally high triglycerides which is

also a symptom the side effects become even more pronounced. My sister

suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis in it's most aggressive form. I asked her

if she had to chose illnesses which one would it be. Hers or mine. She

chose the crippling Arthritis.

What I am eating right now is mostly fruits and veggies. I am not eating

enough protein and I know it. I cannot seem to tolerate any soy products

very well and my doctor and nutritionist tell me soy products wreck havoc

with my already wild hormones. I have been eating some grains but very

little. I have trouble with too many nuts. If someone could give me an

idea of what is required for protein intake I would be grateful. My

nutritionist told me 60 grams. I am not even getting half of that right now

according to my figures by reading labels. I have been totally meat free

for 2 weeks. Is whey an animal product? I was considering adding whey

protein to help to increase my intake of protein.

I want to thank all of you for your support. You have been very helpful.

Kirsten

Kathleen Pelley [kmpelley]

Monday, January 17, 2005 2:57 PM

Becoming a new vegetarian

Kirsten,

What am you doing wrong?

Becoming a vegetarian is a major project. I have been a vegetarian for over

25 years. Those first few years were a lot of work. I had to do the

following:

I had to learn to cook again

Deal with the folks who felt threatened by my change in lifestyle--25

years later there are still some who still threatened.

I became a vegetarian over a 2 year period of time--first I quit eat

eating beef, then quit pork and lamb, then quit poultry, and finally quit

eating seafood.

Within about two years, I was unable to tolerate drinking coffee and

alcohol

My basic foods became and are legumes and grains with lots of vegetables.

Later, I became interested in food politics and began focusing on more

organic foods.

From your letter, I am not at all sure what you are eating. I do not eat a

lot of soy products, but usually, unless people are soy intolerent, they can

be eaten in moderation.

Kathleen

Eureka CA

I have elliminated all animal products from my diet and have also

elliminated all refinded sugars and flours from my diet as well. I

am very tired. I am taking a vitiamin B-12 supplement under

different advice i have gotten here and from my doctor. Is there

something I am doing wrong? I am limiting grains. Although today I

did have some oatmeal and chinese noodles. I am advised against

tofu because of a health condition in which tofu and other soy

products can affect my body and the drugs I must take. Is this

normal for a new vegetarian?

Kirsten

January 18, 2005

> I suffer from a condition known as PCOS Poly Cystic Ovary Disease.

Ouch, hon, this sounds pretty nasty :=( - to say the very least. Okay, I can't

and

shouldn't try to comment on this except to say I'm very sorry to hear it. And

good for you that you have two wonderful kids - talk about overcoming

obstacles, eh?!

>My sister suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis in it's most aggressive form. I

asked her

> if she had to chose illnesses which one would it be. Hers or mine. She

> chose the crippling Arthritis.

I'll bet. And so might you, if given a choice. Sad fact is we don't get to

choose

some of these things; they choose us. Bleh.

But you're right, you can do something about your health by eating right. Trick

is to find out how to meet your requirements to keep up your energy levels etc.

You have a nutritionist whom I will assume is sympathetic to a veggie diet, so

it's hard to know how to advise further without appearing to 'know better' than

your health advisors.

> What I am eating right now is mostly fruits and veggies.

Well, at the risk of getting hit over the head with a watermelon from one of my

dear friends on this list, I suggest that too much in the way of fruit will give

you

extra calories and therefore just might make it more difficult to keep to the

weightloss you are looking for. By this I mean sweet fruit, not other fruits

which

we commonly although incorrectly term veggies: tomatoes, squash, blah blah

blah ;=)

> I am not eating enough protein and I know it.

Tell you what, have a look at these two websites for protein - they are pretty

reliable.

http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm

http://www.vegansociety.com/html/food/nutrition/protein.php

>I cannot seem to tolerate any soy products

> very well and my doctor and nutritionist tell me soy products wreck havoc

> with my already wild hormones.

Wouldn't want to do that! Okay, how about seitan instead of tofu? And rice milk

instead of soymilk? You can even buy vegan fake paremsan cheez made

from rice. And don't forget beans and lentils - they're great for protein as

well

as generally very good for you!

> I have trouble with too many nuts.

Yes, many people are :=( which is a crying shame because they are

wonderfully good for you - that is, if they're not bad for you cuz you can't eat

em ;=) Seeds too? Because pumpkin seeds are a great source of protein.

>Is whey an animal product? I was considering adding whey

> protein to help to increase my intake of protein.

Whey is from milk. Remember Little Miss Muffet eating her curds and whey?

(That makes it easy to remember.) You've been avoiding *all* animal products

- giving the whole lot up in just two weeks? Well good for you - but it makes

me tired just thinking of all the changes you've had to make in such a short

time. Be kind to yourself, won't you. As Kathleen has said, it often takes a

while to do it and to adjust. Perhaps a few more grains/carbs right now will get

rid of the tired feeling and get back some of your much needed energy. Just a

thought.

Those sites I gave you above will let you figure out your protein needs. And

we have nutritionists and people - lots of em - experienced in nutrition on this

list. So maybe someone else will write in with some good ideas for you!!!

Best love - write in and let us know what's what, okay?

Pat ;=)

veggiehound

January 18, 2005

I am feeling a bit off tonight and the rest of the family is suffering from

a cold. I don't have all of their symptoms but maybe I am fighting as well.

My sister loaned me her juicer and perhaps that will help me to get the good

nutrients in while I heal so to speak. I will cut down on the fruits and

watch the calories as well. Thanks.

Kirsten

veggiehound [veggiehound]

Monday, January 17, 2005 9:23 PM

Re: Becoming a new vegetarian

> I suffer from a condition known as PCOS Poly Cystic Ovary Disease.

Ouch, hon, this sounds pretty nasty :=( - to say the very least. Okay, I

can't and

shouldn't try to comment on this except to say I'm very sorry to hear it.

And

good for you that you have two wonderful kids - talk about overcoming

obstacles, eh?!

>My sister suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis in it's most aggressive form.

I

asked her

> if she had to chose illnesses which one would it be. Hers or mine. She

> chose the crippling Arthritis.

I'll bet. And so might you, if given a choice. Sad fact is we don't get to

choose

some of these things; they choose us. Bleh.

But you're right, you can do something about your health by eating right.

Trick

is to find out how to meet your requirements to keep up your energy levels

etc.

You have a nutritionist whom I will assume is sympathetic to a veggie diet,

so

it's hard to know how to advise further without appearing to 'know better'

than

your health advisors.

> What I am eating right now is mostly fruits and veggies.

Well, at the risk of getting hit over the head with a watermelon from one of

my

dear friends on this list, I suggest that too much in the way of fruit will

give you

extra calories and therefore just might make it more difficult to keep to

the

weightloss you are looking for. By this I mean sweet fruit, not other fruits

which

we commonly although incorrectly term veggies: tomatoes, squash, blah blah

blah ;=)

> I am not eating enough protein and I know it.

Tell you what, have a look at these two websites for protein - they are

pretty

reliable.

http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm

http://www.vegansociety.com/html/food/nutrition/protein.php

>I cannot seem to tolerate any soy products

> very well and my doctor and nutritionist tell me soy products wreck havoc

> with my already wild hormones.

Wouldn't want to do that! Okay, how about seitan instead of tofu? And rice

milk

instead of soymilk? You can even buy vegan fake paremsan cheez made

from rice. And don't forget beans and lentils - they're great for protein as

well

as generally very good for you!

> I have trouble with too many nuts.

Yes, many people are :=( which is a crying shame because they are

wonderfully good for you - that is, if they're not bad for you cuz you can't

eat

em ;=) Seeds too? Because pumpkin seeds are a great source of protein.

>Is whey an animal product? I was considering adding whey

> protein to help to increase my intake of protein.

Whey is from milk. Remember Little Miss Muffet eating her curds and whey?

(That makes it easy to remember.) You've been avoiding *all* animal products

- giving the whole lot up in just two weeks? Well good for you - but it

makes

me tired just thinking of all the changes you've had to make in such a short

time. Be kind to yourself, won't you. As Kathleen has said, it often takes a

while to do it and to adjust. Perhaps a few more grains/carbs right now will

get

rid of the tired feeling and get back some of your much needed energy. Just

a

thought.

Those sites I gave you above will let you figure out your protein needs.

And

we have nutritionists and people - lots of em - experienced in nutrition on

this

list. So maybe someone else will write in with some good ideas for you!!!

Best love - write in and let us know what's what, okay?

Pat ;=)

veggiehound

_____

January 18, 2005

Hello,

I always read the posts but usually never respond. I feel

as if I know all of you though, especially Pat. :-) I had

to respond to this post.

I have had PCOS since I was around 15. I've gotten a lot

of support and great dieting information from

http://www.soulcysters.com. I too have difficulty losing

weight. Currently, I'm 5'3 and 227. It's almost

impossible to find a doctor who has a clue about this

disease. For example, my doctor doesn't believe that

having PCOS makes losing weight difficult.

Many PCOS sufferers seem to think that low carbing and

lots of exercise is the way to go. I agree as well. I've

lost 55 pounds cutting carbs, and as usual am still

dieting. I've been on a diet since I was 12, falling off,

crawling back on. :-( I've been a veggie since I was in

High School, way back when being a veggie wasn't cool, so I

guess that would be almost 20 years.

I've never found a diet that has worked perfectly for a

vegetarian with PCOS. I stay away from everything white as

a rule of thumb. No bread, flour, potatoes (white) or

sugar. I only use Splenda and healthy oils, spray

margarine. This works very well for me. It's just hard

for me to stay eating this way while the remainder of my

family is enjoying all of the wonderful things that I truly

crave, like Hot fudge sundaes, pizza, christmas cookies,

etc.

I am an ovo- lacto vegan. I will eat cheese, eggs and milk

to a degree. These supply protein and calcium for my diet

and it's my way of adding a little joy to my life. I do

like cheese. However, all foods even cereal, and fruit

provide some protein. The truth is, even adults who eat no

animal products can easily get plenty of protein, as long

as they consume sufficient calories and a variety of plant

foods -- grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts

or nut butters throughout the day.

Dr, Weil has a great article that I think may answer your

question. http://www.drweil.com/u/QA/QA142995.

I hope that my sharing of what I try to eat will help you

in becoming a supportful pioneer. Having PCOS makes it

really hard, and we have to work much harder than most

others, but, it can be done. We can lose weight. I'm

looking forward to weighing my " get real " weight of 160,

instead of my original 120 goal. I hope to get much closer

to it this year.

I wish you the best.

Michele

--- Carousel Cheesecakes <cc1 wrote:

>

> I suffer from a condition known as PCOS Poly Cystic Ovary

> Disease. Doctors

> do not know what causes it and only diagnose it from

> symptoms. I suffered

> from this since I was a teen. It causes first of all

> cystic ovaries. These

> are very painful. For years doctors told me that since

> there are no nerves

> inside your body then these can't be causing pain. So I

> learned to ignore

> the sudden stabbing pains in my sides that mimic

> appendicitis. Secondly the

> illness brings on diabetes at a n earlier age in those

> prone to the disease.

> Most women with also suffer from infertility. I have

> been blessed with two

> of my own children. In fact the treatments I used to

> have my children are

> now being tried on other women and I know of two

> successful pregnancies that

> have occurred using the same methods. The average woman

> with PCOS develops

> diabetes in their mid 30's. With the illness attacking

> the pancreas 95% of

> it's sufferers are overweight many obese. In my support

> group I am the

> thinnest at 236 pounds. Loosing weight is virtually

> impossible. I hope to

> become a pioneer in weight loss and inspire my fellow

> sufferers to take a

> stronger stance against this illness. This illness also

> attacks the heart.

> With the added burden of obesity and naturally high

> triglycerides which is

> also a symptom the side effects become even more

> pronounced. My sister

> suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis in it's most aggressive

> form. I asked her

> if she had to chose illnesses which one would it be.

> Hers or mine. She

> chose the crippling Arthritis.

>

> What I am eating right now is mostly fruits and veggies.

> I am not eating

> enough protein and I know it. I cannot seem to tolerate

> any soy products

> very well and my doctor and nutritionist tell me soy

> products wreck havoc

> with my already wild hormones. I have been eating some

> grains but very

> little. I have trouble with too many nuts. If someone

> could give me an

> idea of what is required for protein intake I would be

> grateful. My

> nutritionist told me 60 grams. I am not even getting

> half of that right now

> according to my figures by reading labels. I have been

> totally meat free

> for 2 weeks. Is whey an animal product? I was

> considering adding whey

> protein to help to increase my intake of protein.

>

> I want to thank all of you for your support. You have

> been very helpful.

>

> Kirsten

>

> Kathleen Pelley [kmpelley]

> Monday, January 17, 2005 2:57 PM

>

> Becoming a new vegetarian

>

> Kirsten,

>

> What am you doing wrong?

>

> Becoming a vegetarian is a major project. I have been a

> vegetarian for over

> 25 years. Those first few years were a lot of work. I

> had to do the

> following:

>

> I had to learn to cook again

> Deal with the folks who felt threatened by my change

> in lifestyle--25

> years later there are still some who still threatened.

> I became a vegetarian over a 2 year period of

> time--first I quit eat

> eating beef, then quit pork and lamb, then quit poultry,

> and finally quit

> eating seafood.

> Within about two years, I was unable to tolerate

> drinking coffee and

> alcohol

> My basic foods became and are legumes and grains with

> lots of vegetables.

> Later, I became interested in food politics and began

> focusing on more

> organic foods.

>

> From your letter, I am not at all sure what you are

> eating. I do not eat a

> lot of soy products, but usually, unless people are soy

> intolerent, they can

> be eaten in moderation.

>

> Kathleen

>

> Eureka CA

>

> I have elliminated all animal products from my diet and

> have also

> elliminated all refinded sugars and flours from my diet

> as well. I

> am very tired. I am taking a vitiamin B-12 supplement

> under

> different advice i have gotten here and from my doctor.

> Is there

> something I am doing wrong? I am limiting grains.

> Although today I

> did have some oatmeal and chinese noodles. I am advised

> against

> tofu because of a health condition in which tofu and

> other soy

> products can affect my body and the drugs I must take.

> Is this

> normal for a new vegetarian?

>

> Kirsten

>

January 18, 2005

Hi Kirsten

I'm only just beginning on this path so I may be wrong ... but what

about beans? I *think* they're good sources of protein?

Laura

Currently Reading: Old School Ties by Kate Harrison

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1978439

Carousel Cheesecakes wrote:

> ... If someone could give me an

> idea of what is required for protein intake I would be grateful. My

> nutritionist told me 60 grams. I am not even getting half of that

> right now

> according to my figures by reading labels. ...

January 18, 2005

I do eat a few eggs a couple times a week. I will add some beans and nuts

to the diet. I think I am fighting a cold which is what is causing the

tiredness. I have also according to my scale lost 7 pounds since Saturday

morning. This blows me away. I am weighing daily mostly to keep track of

water weight. I have always done this because of my illness. I think my

body is ridding itself of extra fluids. I will keep you all posted.

Kirsten

Laura Thomson [laura.thomson]

Tuesday, January 18, 2005 2:51 AM

Re: Becoming a new vegetarian

Hi Kirsten

I'm only just beginning on this path so I may be wrong ... but what

about beans? I *think* they're good sources of protein?

Laura

Currently Reading: Old School Ties by Kate Harrison

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1978439

Carousel Cheesecakes wrote:

> ... If someone could give me an

> idea of what is required for protein intake I would be grateful. My

> nutritionist told me 60 grams. I am not even getting half of that

> right now

> according to my figures by reading labels. ...

_____

January 18, 2005

There have been so many good replies to your post but I'd like to

add what has helped me. For one thing, I have found that FOR ME,

carbs work well. The thing is though, I try to eat only wholefoods so

it's the brown rice, whole wheat flour, whole grains in general, that

I eat. Also, when I started a vegetarian lifestyle, I also started a

walking routine and would sometimes go into these slumps where I

would be so tired. I found that low fat, low calorie soups have

helped so much. I must make at least 3 big pots of soup a week. When

I get that run down feeling, usually I try to first drink some water/

If that isn't the answer, I'll grab a cup of tea and/or and cup of

soup and I find that can usually get me back on track. Also, I'm a

peanutbutter freak. A lot of times when I am really tired, I'll grab

a spoon of peanutbutter or put some on a whole wheat cracker and that

helps. Usually, I try to get right out and walk after that.

Otherwise, I am tempted to eat more peanutbutter. Boy, do I LOVE

peanutbutter! Also, a couple of dried apricots seem to help. I just

threw together this yummy sweetpotato soup last week and it turned

out very yummy. I'll try to send it through today.

Stef

January 18, 2005

Would you share that sweet potato soup recipe with us?

Kirsten

steffdav46 [steffdav46]

Tuesday, January 18, 2005 11:16 AM