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2/26/12 6:41 P

Thanks so much for your kind response. It was a great help!

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2/26/12 6:40 P

Thanks so much for your response and your help.

Pam

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2/22/12 6:33 P

Hi Pam you have made a good choice in dietary change, you are right to avoid soy. Also avoid any processed foods, that includes vegan animal replacements, the chemicals will do you no good. I think a raw vegan diet is best and followed strictly can impact arthritis. Eat as many raw greens as you can. DR Fuhrmans books are excellent. Good luck you can do it but don't try to follow one diet per se take what works for you

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2/22/12 12:06 P

I am transitioning to mostly vegan with high raw content. I don't eat soy or meat replacement products regularly and I am doing fine. I do eat a serving of grains, usually in the form of organic cereal and that likely has wheat. Quinoa might be a good grain to add. It is wheat and gluten free and good for protein.

I have no idea about arthritis but when I eliminate dairy my allergies greatly improve. I don't wake up as stuffed up and I don't have as much mucus in general.

Do you soak the nuts and beans before you eat them. If you are not, this may be causing your digestion problems. Here's a link that talks about why and hoe to soak nuts:
www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2008/07/soaki
ng-nuts.html

Here's and article that talks about soaking beans: nourishedkitchen.com/soaking-grains-nuts-l
egumes/

Also keep in mind all veggies have protein. Greens are a great source of protein. If you are particularly worried about protein you can buy vegan protein powders. There is one made of pea protein. Most protein powders contain whey or casein. Both are derived from dairy and not vegan.

If you haven't read it, I highly recommend Eat To Live by Dr. Joel Furhman. He advocates for a vegan diet but does have options for people who want to eat meat. For meat eaters he recommends limiting it to twice a week.

Edited by: LISA01605 at: 2/22/2012 (12:08)

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2/22/12 11:30 A

I am very interested about learning more about adopting a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. I read a lot, and sometimes think that I read too much and should just listen to my own body more. I have some specific issues that make adopting a vegetarian lifestyle challenging, and would appreciate it if some other members could weigh in on some of my concerns. As far as choosing this lifestyle, I am an avid animal lover and that is a main reason that I would like to choose a kinder diet. Any help that friends can offer is appreciated. Here are my issues/questions:

1. I can't eat soy or soy products. I am a breast cancer survivor and have been told to avoid soy. Also I have concerns about modified foods, so I would like that my diet not rely on foods that are meat replacements made of corn or wheat.
2. I have arthritis and have read a lot about dairy possibly contributing to my pain. That is why I consider vegan rather than a vegetarian diet. Any experience with omitting dairy and reduction of arthritic symptoms?
3. I eat nuts and beans but when I eat them in excess or too often I don't feel well. Could this be an allergy or sensitivity? If I eat them in small amounts I am fine, but if I should also avoid nuts and beans, then there goes my protein!

Thanks for any advice or direction anyone can give me.

Pam