Transitioning away from Red Meat and Dairy

Posts: 5,413
4/10/12 1:29 P

When deciding whether to eat meat and dairy it is of critical importance to look at where the meat and dairy come from and how much processing they have undergone.
The same is true for a diet high in vegetables and fruit or nuts and seeds. Most research studies do not consider this as a factor and produce very misleading results.
For instance if I were to look at the effects of eating vegetables on health but only looked at people who eat lots of canned green beans, iceberg lettuce and sweet corn raised in an area that is sprayed heavily with pesticides and has a lot of environmental pollution I will get very different results than when I look at the effects of eating a wide variety of organically grown vegetables of all colors from an area that is relatively free of environmental pollution.
The same is true of dairy and meat. People who eat dairy, eggs and meat from animals that were pasture-fed in a relatively healthy environment according to organic or near-organic principles and managed and slaughtered humanely, are benefiting their health. Raw milk and dairy products and unprocessed or minimally processed meat contain many beneficial nutrients for people.
People who eat hot dogs and hamburgers or lunch meats from fast food restaurants and from other questionable sources clearly are hurting their health. As far as dairy the worst is probably milk that has been ultra-pasteurized, even organic, because any valuable nutrients have been destroyed.
Birgit

Edited by: HOUNDLOVER1 at: 4/10/2012 (13:31)

Posts: 386
4/10/12 12:38 P

There is a book by Dr. Furman ( Eat to Live ) and that is exactly what it is about, changing your eating. Getting the most nutrients from what you eat. I just started yesterday and this morning I am down 3 lbs. It is still too soon to see if I can maintain this way of eating but I am willing to try. The book is awesome and has much information. Have a great day everyone.

Posts: 4,651
4/10/12 12:09 P

I agree with Waterdiamonds. I went vegan raw a little over a year ago. I don't miss the red meat and dairy and actually get better nutrients from the greens, fruits, and seeds that I eat on a daily basis which the body finds a lot easier to digest. Can I follow this? is it sustainable? Yes it is and I am functioning at 100% or very close to it in body, mind and spirit.

Posts: 999
4/10/12 10:04 A

Red Meat can cause inflamation in the joints and in the body. I eat red meat only on a rare occasion and my joints no longer hurt. Heart disease has aslo been associated with Animal Fat.

Dr. Dean Ornish, a cardiologist and author says
“What we include in our diet is as important as what we exclude, so substituting healthier foods for red meat provides a double benefit to our health,”

Even though red meat is high in protein and a good source of iron, it may be a good idea to limit consumption.

Flax seeds are a good source of protein, which are easy to digest. Adding flax seeds into your daily diet can help the body feel full. Flax seeds are a good way to get omega-3 and -6 fatty acids into your diet. Flaxseed is a must-eat power food for overall health

Add nuts to your diet also they are good sources of protein and their oils are especially good for the heart. PINENUTS, PISTACHOIS, BRAZIL NUTS , Almonds, WALNUTS, sunflower seeds. Enjoy the benefits of blueberries which have fiber, vitamin C, and flavonoids, a type of phytonutrient that offers antioxidant protection, such as boosting your immune system and fighting inflammation.

lso Beans are high in fiber and protein and are a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as folate, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Carrots are another source of fiber and heart-healthy flavonoids.

Have a bowl of oatmeal in the morning, the fiber content will keep you full longer, getting you to your mid-morning snack or lunch. Oats also provide vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium, which may help lower blood pressure.

Spinach a great nonstarchy vegetable, high in beta-carotene is loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B2 and B6, folate, copper, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and fiber/
If you love asparagus, you'll really love that it's a nonstarchy vegetable with only 5 grams of carb and is high in fiber & B vitamin folate and vitamin C.

You mentioned you are thinking of going vegan, if so If you do not eat animal-based products, you can combine different types of plant proteins to ensure that you get all the amino acids that you need.

Beans and nuts are also good choices of plant-based proteins. Experiment with grains such as quinoa and kasha which are extremely high in protein. Low-fat dairy products are also excellent sources of protein. Try reduced-fat yogurts, cottage cheese and skim milk. Turkey bacon and egg whites can make a delicious breakfast. A turkey sandwich with low fat cheese, tomato and lettuce can be an excellent lunch.

Good Luck to you




Edited by: SUNSHINE6442 at: 4/10/2012 (10:30)

Posts: 14,213
4/9/12 2:07 P

I am doing low carb, and have a major problem with dairy. I think that if I can have an issue with corn, potatoes, pasta, and sugar in general, the idea that someone might have an issue with meat is normal. What foods affect us negatively vary from person to person, and my advice to anyone who feels run down, or is having trouble losing is to isolate their menu, food by food, and remove the ones they personally have an issue with.

You did a great job Tejanabena, and now know what works for you, which is much better than general nutritional ideas. We are not one size fits all.

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Posts: 18
4/9/12 11:31 A

I had been experiencing some severe digestive issues and increasing amounts of 'brain fog' for the past while now. Rather than 'assume' it was gluten or strictly fibro-related, I started a process of elimination one at a time to see what helped and what didn't. My doctor supported this.

Since removing red meat from my diet, I no longer have the brain fog. I have more energy and clarity than I have in ..well, a while. Exercise also helps with that.

Since removing /most/ of the dairy my digestive issues have largely gone away.

I still eat fish and chicken and turkey. Lean protein. Though I have considered doing without and going Vegan as a whole. I may /not/. I think experimenting with what works for you is a natural process. College student schedule had kept me from going back in to visit with the Doctor, so I will send her a question and inquire as to supplements.

Thank you all for the input! :)

Posts: 36
4/9/12 11:27 A

I have problems digesting red meat, so I don't eat it at all anymore. I have also been cutting down on dairy but still eat ice cream and cottage cheese once in a while. I have to say I don't miss red meat at all. I substitute ground turkey for burgers and the rest of my meat is generally chicken, with the occasional tuna thrown in, and lots of my meals are meatless. I use almond milk in place of dairy milk and find that it tastes much better to me. It is also easier on my stomach than dairy milk. If you want to cut things out and make substitutions, that's your choice and there's no reason for anyone to tell you not to do it just because it isn't recommended by SP.

Posts: 5,413
4/9/12 11:22 A

Eat natural foods. Red meat and raw dairy that are from grass-fed animals are very good for you. Of course it is possible to eat vegan and eat very healthily, too. Just takes more planning. Many people are allergic or sensitive to grains or dairy and need to leave it out, even small amounts in pills and food additives.
Birgit

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4/9/12 11:17 A

I actually have to agree with Redshoes on this one.
If it is not medically necessary to remove items from your diet, then you can and should have them in moderation.
I do not believe that replacing dairy with soy or almond milk offers any benefit if you are able to tolerate dairy. I understand the concerns surrounding beef; but there are options for grass-fed, hormone free beef as well and it does have a place in a healthy diet.

Trying make changes like this without your physician's knowledge or consulting a dietician can be dangerous.

Posts: 71
4/9/12 11:01 A

if you want to try to stay away from red meats or dairy, thats fine. be sure to keep using the almond milk, as it is low in calories and high in calcium. ive lost almost 40 pounds in the past 3 months by trying to make more of my meals vegan. also, if you are worried about not getting enough nutrients, you could always talk to your doctor about starting a supplement routine; i wouldn't recommend starting without a consultation first, as some supplements can do more harm than good if used improperly.
you might want to consider fat free yogurt or low fat cheese....in my experience, cutting those things out altogether just make my cravings for them unbearable
you could also try the vegan subsitutes for burgers, cheese, etc. that way you dont feel deprived

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Posts: 64
4/9/12 10:12 A

We only eat red meat 3-4 times a month. But dairy every day. I personally would never stop eating it. Non fat and low fat dairy is a source of food that I will not give up. AND I love a steak on the grill once in a while!!

Posts: 9,950
4/9/12 4:36 A

Well, I'm a full-on vegan--have been for nearly three years. And I was vegetarian for at least a decade before that. So I'm going to have to disagree with the idea that you need to keep ALL foods in your life and with the idea that vegetarianism/veganism are "fads."

Both have been around for centuries.

I don't miss dairy, meat, eggs, poultry, seafood or anything else that is considered a normal part of the typical diet. Moreover, my health is improving at every check up--cholesterol and blood pressure down, stamina and mental acuity up, etc.

And I'm losing weight.

The only thing I do take is Vitamin B12. I cannot get enough of that via food alone.

Yes, I get enough iron. Yes I get enough of every other mineral and vitamin.

So I can assure you, whether or not Sparkpeople suggests removing meat and dairy from your life, doing so can be a healthy, viable choice.

You might want to explore the vegetarian and vegan teams here on Spark for full information about the health issues and benefits of these choices.

Best of luck to you on this journey.

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Posts: 7,149
4/9/12 2:23 A

Unless you have health issues never remove stuff. Number 1 rule of a lifestyle change.. Utopia doesn't exist.. Dairy in itself is very healthy and if one looks at containers taking options with lower fat levels in gives the same advantages as regular..

People slip up driving this life style change as a diet.. Where on sparkspeople does it say we remove red meat and dairy? This is a mindset not a necessary for good health.. Just keep items within the daily recommended moderation and no problems..

Many people eat themselfs to horrible conditions removing stuff because it is the lastest fad to go vegan.. Just keep the calories within sparkspeoples recommendations, it also makes intergrating a lifestyle like eating out much easier..



Edited by: REDSHOES2011 at: 4/9/2012 (02:25)

Posts: 4,284
4/8/12 10:50 P

iron? vitamin D?

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Posts: 18
4/8/12 10:09 P

I haven't had red meat in almost a month now; however, have been incorporating white meats and fish. I've also cut back on my dairy and have substituted things like almond milk to make with a brown rice protein mix added to it to make sure I'm getting the proper protein that I need.

Are there other things on which I should be focusing to make sure I'm not depriving myself of any nutrients?