I'm wondering if anyone on this forum is vegan- before, during or after dx. A friend wants me to try it but my appetite is so off right now, I can't imagine such a strict regime. So I'd like to hear how people do on the diet.
Jodi
Jodi,
Hello! I'm not vegan...I'm vegetarian though! I can see a HUGE difference in the way I feel and look when I follow my strict vegetarian way of eating. It is a whole different way of life, so it does take some committment depending on how strict or lax you want to be. There are many levels of vegetarianism, so you could find what works for you.
Vegan is very strict and also impacts what you wear, use to clean, etc. that would be impossible for me on many levels.
Best of luck and keep us posted!!!!
Phats
Hi ladies,Although not a vegan, I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years. I can't imagine it any other way!
i've been transitioning to veg for the last few weeks, and i love it. my bf can'tWhen and if. Sigh.
My 17 year old granddaughter has been vegan for about a year. She has embraced it with her whole heart (as she does with everything that is important to her)
She knows more about nutrition than most people I know. She researched it very thoroughly and cooks all the time. Her Mom, my daughter, doesn't cook much and never has. (I think she was switched at birth
I have a lot of admiration for her dedication to veganism. She doesn't lecture anyone about it, but is always ready with an intelligent answer to any question. Can you tell she is my pride and joy?
I'm not much of a meat eater and never have been, but my husband loves meat. He has, however, come to the realization that chicken is more heart friendly than beef, so we do eat more poultry. He does almost all the cooking in our house, as I cannot stand long enough to cook without very severe back pain.
I could be vegetarian very easily, but I do like cheese ( and chocolate) so veganism is not really for me. My husband does pamper me with lots of veggies, fruits and some pasta quite often.
I am interested in what others will comment on regarding veganism and RA, though. I am sure we would all feel at least a bit better if we could eat properly 100% of the time.
This was an interesting thread, Jodi
Good night, all.
Hugs, Nini
I"m not vegetarian, but I rarely eat meat. I do eat fish and poultry. Anyway, the one change in my diet that seems to have made a huge difference is giving up dairy. I use organic soymilk in my cereal, stevia as a sweeetner, and no more diet soda. I use soy butter (which tastes EXACTLY like butter), I eat soy ice cream if I want a "treat". I don't eat processed foods anymore. Sugar is sooo bad for us in all forms. It wreaks havoc on our nerve endings, brains, blood etc. Also the artificial sweetners are treacherous for us. I heard that Aspartame is banned in Europe. ANy Europeans out there? What do dthey sweeten your diet soda with? ANyway, I urge you all to give it a week and see how you feel. It's not that hard. I eat chicken and fish maybe once aweek, the rest of the time i eat pasta, cous cous, lentils and beans. I eat spinach and richciotta(sp) sausages too. i do eat chocolate and drink milk. Hubby loves a nice big steak but he only has that occasioally now and seems to be eating a lot more healthy as he gets older.I am vegan. Have been vegetarian for a year and a half and vegan for about 6 months. It is difficult, but once you get used to it, not so much. You learn about a lot of foods you never knew about and realize you've been missing out on a lot. Cutting out dairy really made me feel better than I have in years. Huge difference!
And lifestyle-wise...you can be vegan and not be so strict on clothes and cleaning products. There are variations in that. We just do the best we can. Not everyone can afford vegan products in that respect. It's a personal choice. I didn't throw away my leather shoes, I'm just trying to not buy any more of them.
Redheadthereasa,
Has it helped your arthritis?
I cut out dairy about three weeks ago and already feel great. I don't feel "weighed down", bloated, generally "blah" if that makes any sense. I use organic soymilk in my cereal, NO SUGAR eithere, and I use veggie slices soy cheese. I also find it sort of fun to find alternative foods such as soy products, tofu (from firm to silky you have so many uses), and lots of grains and nuts. I feel so good. I think you can't really make a drastic change of cutting out tons of "bad for you" foods, because you'll go nuts. The best thing to do is maybe try to go dairy-free for a week, if you feel good, try cutting out your diet coke or anything with an artificial sweetner, then try cutting out all sugar. You'll really notice a difference.I didn't really notice a big difference in my PAIN. But the fatique was helped a lot. I still have a lack of energy but it's so much better than it was. So I would say, yes, it has helped with my arthritis.
Honey, for the record, veggie slices are not completely dairy free. I had to learn that the hard way myself. But good for you for making the switch. For me it not only makes my body feel better, it makes me feel better in my heart for living more compassionately.
Redhead, thanks. I'm always amazed by how the most mundane products contain milk products. Things you would never expect. Also, the thingn that made me give up my diet coke-a-day habit was reading that aspartame is banned in every country but the US. Any Europeans out there know what your diet drinks are sweetended with? Just curious. I have been having selter water/lime with my lunch. No splenda or any of that. I won't even have sugar in anythingn and I really notice a difference. I sleep better, I have energy during the day, more alert. Etc.