Community: Forum: Health & Healing
Page 6: Vegan Health & Nutrition Discussion Forum - Community
Vegan Health, Nutrition & Diets
Ask health-related questions. Offer advice. Post about special food diets. Share your experiences.
| Topic | Post Date | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| what should i eat for energy 4 sports? i posted this in the general section, but this section seems better for it: i play field hockey, and it's intense. i feel weak a lot from not eating meat, so what should i have to keep me fueled instead? i'm allergic to most nuts, and strawberries and bananas... just to let you know, i guess. hahaha :) any ideas? Post Date: 02/20/12, Replies: 21 | ||
| Advice re: adolescent's diet My son is 12 and an intelligent boy with autism Asperger's syndrome. He's a lacto-vegetarian by his choice. He's struggled with gastritis all fall, after taking ibuprophen for a broken bone and relapsed a few weeks ago after taking some antibiotics for a day or two (had to quit b/c of vomiting and nausea). His diet is very limited and it is totally counter to what is recommended for chronic gastritis (high fruits/veggies, low fat, low sugar) -- he literally only eats hummus, chips, crackers, peanut butter, soynut butter and some cereal (Cheerios, Life), OJ, milk, apple juice, granola bars. When he got gastritis he stopped being able to eat powerbars w/soy protein. I need some advice about how bad this diet is for a 5'9" 170 lb 12 yr old -- right now he's only eating crackers and cereal b/c he's nauseated all the time. I'm at my wit's end and have come to this forum for help. Help! Post Date: 01/02/12, Replies: 3 | ||
| How can I loose my weight? Hi, I am 22 years old and I am overweight. what kind of diet should I take or you would advice me? Post Date: 12/21/11, Replies: 15 | ||
| Soy and hypothyroidism In case anyone has personal experience; how much soy can you safely consume per day when you have hypothyroidism? The research seems to be divided on this topic and it's really hard to estimate how much soy certain products contain... On a related note, what is a similarly nutritious/flexible and easily accessible soy alternative? Thanks. Post Date: 11/08/11, Replies: 2 | ||
| It is so hard for us to avoid GMO opposingdigits.com/forums/post-62.html When my daughter sent me e-mail and told me to check link above, I realized how hard for us to avoid genetically modified ingredients knowing almost all foods in market contain GMO. Sadly, I ate so many foods with genetically modified ingredients already. Post Date: 11/08/11, Replies: 1 | ||
| BUSTED! Top Vegan Nutrition Myths Great article today on the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nil-zacharias/vegan-nutrition-myths_b_949288.html Gloria Steinem summed up one of the challenges of life very well when she said, "The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn." This quote rings especially true when it comes to what we choose to eat. Our food choices are influenced by a range of factors that make it almost impossible to entertain change. Growing up, I was told that I needed to consume dairy for calcium, eat meat to get strong and fish to get smart. Imagining food without animal products on my plate seemed almost unimaginable. However, I always felt a sense of nagging unease about my food choices -- what if everything I knew about food and nutrition was wrong? What if I truly had no valid justifications for choosing to consume animal products? What began as a path of unlearning -- about taste, tradition and nutrition -- ultimately culminated in me choosing a vegan lifestyle. But unlearning in the age of information means having to sift through an avalanche of Internet articles discussing conflicting scientific reports and marketing propaganda (often indistinguishable from each other) that are largely fueled by billion dollar industries whose bottom lines depend on our uninformed food choices. Some anti-vegan rhetoric is delivered with so much conviction that, at times, I still have difficulty separating fact from fiction. The problem, however, is that the longer you let myths go unchallenged, the greater is their ability to masquerade as truths. So, I decided to put my mind (and hopefully the minds of many others) at ease by reaching out to One Green Planet's expert community and getting their input on the top vegan nutrition myths. This is what I uncovered in my discussions with some prominent voices in the plant-based nutrition space: 1. Is it true that plant protein is inherently inferior to animal protein? Brenda Davis, RD and co-author of "Becoming Raw": In reality, people have no greater need for animal protein than do gorillas or elephants, both of whom have far bigger muscles than we do, yet are plant eaters. It comes as a surprise for people to learn that essential amino acids are made by plants, not by animals. We can get them from animals, but somewhere along the food chain they originally came from plants. Generally, if vegans eat a variety of plant foods (legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits and grains) and consume sufficient calories, protein needs will be met. However, if protein intakes are marginal, legumes become especially important. 2. Do I need calcium from dairy products to maintain strong bones? Joseph Keon, nutritionist and author of "Whitewash: The Disturbing Truth about Cow's Milk and Your Health": Milk offers no guarantee of protection from bone fracture while at the same time burdens the body with additional saturated fat and cholesterol, hormones and growth factors and, frequently, antibiotic residues. Millions of people the world over maintain fracture-resistant bones into their seventh and even eighth decade of life by consuming calcium largely from plant sources. The calcium we need may be easily obtained from leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, legumes and some nuts and seeds. 3. Should I be worried about B12 deficiency? Vesanto Melina, RD and co-author of "Becoming Raw": B12 originates from bacteria, not animal products. The reason this nutrient cannot be obtained from plant-foods is because of our sanitary methods of food production. In contrast, meat eaters obtain vitamin B12 that is produced by bacteria present in the flesh of the animals. This lack in sanitary plant foods does not mean that all vegans are deficient in this nutrient, because they can easily obtain the recommended levels of B12 via foods that are fortified with B12 (non-dairy milks, soyfoods, veggie "meats" and breakfast cereals) or via B12 supplements. In fact, all people over the age of 50, on any diet, are advised to use fortified foods or supplements as their B12 sources, as these forms are better absorbed by many seniors than the B12 from animal products. Many seniors develop deficiency of vitamin B12 due to diminished intestinal absorption. Like people on any diet, vegans simply need to make sure they have a reliable source of this essential nutrient. 4. Can I get adequate amounts of Omega-3 fats without consuming fish oil? Ginny Messina, MPH, RD and co-author of "Vegan for Life": Vegans aren't at higher risk for heart disease than people who eat fish, but many experts suggest erring on the side of a little insurance by supplementing, especially for those who suffer from depression. Vegans who want to include DHA and EPA in their diets can get it the same way fish do, which is from algae. In fact, from an environmental perspective, it makes sense for everyone to choose algae-derived supplements over fish oil. 5. As a vegan, don't I have to consume too much soy to meet my nutritional needs? Lauri Boone, RD and raw food nutritionist: You don't need to fill your plate with tofu or other soyfoods for your diet to be nutritionally complete. Soyfoods -- which include tofu, tempeh, edamame, and soymilk, among others -- certainly provide a simple way for vegans to meet their protein needs. But you can easily obtain all of the essential amino acids -- along with fiber, antioxidants, minerals and phytochemicals -- your body needs by eating a variety of grains and legumes each day. Add to that a few servings of nuts and seeds and plenty of fresh vegetables, and you will begin to see how easy it is to get all of the nutrients your body needs -- with or without soy. However, if you are going to consume soy, choose organic soyfoods to ensure that the soy you consume is not genetically modified and is not grown using pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. 6. While vegan diets may be okay for adults, aren't they unsafe for infants and children? Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, LDN and co-author of "Simply Vegan": Babies and children grow and develop normally on vegan diets and can have significant health advantages -- vegan children often eat more fruits and vegetables, are typically leaner and don't develop a taste for meat, dairy products and eggs -- foods that are linked to health problems later in life. As all parents should know, it is important to give children the nutrients they need. For parents of young vegans, this means making sure that infants' and children's diets have good sources of vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, protein and enough calories to support growth. To round up my discussion on vegan nutrition, I chatted with Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Jacob Gould Schurman Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University, co-author of the best-selling book, "The China Study" and most recently featured in the documentary "Forks over Knives" about his No. 1 tip for maintaining good health and preventing disease. According to him, "The consumption of whole plant-based foods is the best strategy for health maintenance and disease prevention. Wholeness means foods having the natural proportions of nutrients and nutrient-like chemicals. As a consequence, the whole effect is greater than the sum of its parts -- thus allowing for the countless natural biological interactions to take place." So there you have it: not only is a plant-based (vegan) diet not restrictive in terms of providing us with adequate nutrition, but if we also focus on a diet rich in whole plant-based foods, getting the right nutrients and maintaining good health should be the least of our concerns! Thanks to the great work of these experts, it turns out the unlearning curve for vegan nutrition is no longer as steep and treacherous as it was in the past. "All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them." -- Galileo Galilei One Green Planet is an online destination for the ecologically ethical generation. We deliver insights into the world of ecology, environment and vegan living. To find out more about us, visit One Green Planet and join our growing community on Facebook and Twitter. If you are a business or expert interested in becoming a contributor, supporter or collaborating with our independently-run platform, please contact us. From: http://www.onegreenplanet.org Post Date: 10/23/11, Replies: 5 | ||
| Time to stop milking it! Well known British television personality/doctor Dr Christian Jessen speaks out against dairy www.thisislondon.co.uk/health/article-23865794-time-to-stop-milking-it.do Post Date: 10/12/11, Replies: 4 | ||
| Guess who Obama appointed President Obama appointed ex Vice president of Monsanto. How do you think about it! If you don't believe me, type 'Obama appointed ex vice president of Monsanto' on search engine. We all must concern about our own health and boycott genetically modified foods but having ex vice president of Monsanto, it is very difficult to avoid it. Post Date: 10/05/11, Replies: 0 | ||
| Questionnaire about Vegetarianism. Hello, I'm Zoe, and I currently am in high school. I take food technology (Home Economics) as a subject, and as part of our final study we have to look at certain themes, such as special diets. I chose to pose the question with mine "Do Vegetarians get enough Protein?" Now I want to get a wide range of data, and its only ten quick quetsions. If you are interested, please leave a message on here, and a way I can contact you, and I'll happily send you the ten questions. Any help will be appreciated. Zoe Post Date: 07/24/11, Replies: 8 | ||
| ban the use of hexane in food products! www.change.org/petitions/ban-the-use-of-hexane-in-food-products Post Date: 06/22/11, Replies: 3 | ||
| I cured angina with vegetarian diet 1997 I became a vegetarian in 1997 shortly after being diagnosed with angina and advised to have bypass surgery. The diet was eventually successful so I was able to stop taking angina medication after six months, and haven't needed the surgery. I wrote a public talk about it in 2005-6, and posted some information about it on my webpage soon after, and later produced an audio CD on the talk which is now avaialble on itunes. It is listed as a 'song' on an album, but is actually a 40 minute talk about that experience, The webpage can be seen for free here users.chariot.net.au/~posture/AnginaDietCure.html The CD can be dowloaded for a small cost, and if you wish to comment or review the talk you are welcome to. Post Date: 05/10/11, Replies: 0 | ||
| Low-tyramine diet for vegetarians??? Hi Everyone! I wonder if anyone in the community is on low-tyramine diet? I'm just starting a type of drugs (MAOIs) that require low-tyramine diet and there's so much "scary" info on the web that I'm at a loss as to what (NOT) to eat... If anyone has got any experience, please share! Thanks! Post Date: 05/08/11, Replies: 2 | ||
| Acid reflux, Gastritis, and an Ulcer Went to the ER twice from the terrible pain. What can help prevent pain, and speed up the healing process, or anything good for treating this for that matter. Thanks! =) Post Date: 05/05/11, Replies: 1 | ||
| vegan stomach issues!! HELP :( So Ive been vegan for a year and a half and my stomach is a mess!!! The worse part is that I have no idea why! I eat a balanced diet and don't eat the same things eveyday. I know I need to just go to the doctor but Im trying to find a natural holistic doctor. Anyways I have diguestive issues after I eat veggies, soy products, ect really anything....and I have been this way since I went vegan. I have always had a bit of a weak stomach but not like this. I'm woundering if anyone else has had problems and if maybe it is just all the fiber?? Any advice from fellow vegans would be sooooo great because I don't know any other vegans besides my boyfriend and I. Post Date: 04/30/11, Replies: 23 | ||
| Weird Question Guys this is a weird question but very curious bout it. Which fruits and Vegez increase semen. Post Date: 02/25/11, Replies: 2 | ||
| Please don't make same mistake I made I was so healthy and I always bragging about my health for many years but recently, I wake up several times at night to go bathroom to urinate. There are many natural remedies for old people who are suffering from same problem I am suffering. Many people found solution to this problem by eating pumpkin seeds or pumpkin seeds extract with soy. Few weeks ago, I ordered pumpkin seeds from www.ohnuts.com and ate almost one package of seeds (one package = one pound) in few days. Guess what? After I finish eating these pumpkin seeds, I start having horrible bloating. When I checked ingredients, canola oil and or cotton seeds oil are part of ingredients. Canola oil and cotton seeds oils are from genetically modified plants and heavily splayed with pesticide. I really start worrying about my health after I consumed pumpkin seeds from above company knowing nobody knows for sure exactly what kind of negative effect on my health. It is so scarly about consumption of Genetically Modified food we eat but knowing so many foods contain wheat, soy, corn, canola and cotton seeds oil,etc, it is so difficult for us to avoid foods conatain GMO. Please read ingredients before you buy foods and avoid GMO as much as you can. [email protected] [email protected] Post Date: 02/04/11, Replies: 4 | ||
| Be careful about soy products! www.cornucopia.org/soysurvey/ As we all know most corn, soy, canola oil, cotton seeds oil. etc are genetically modified. How many of you carelessly bought non organic foods contain genetically modified ingredients? I am one of them who wasted my $$$$ on GMO foods and end up throwing away in trash can. Sad part is before I throw away these foods I ate it and now I am worrying about damage caused by eating GMO foods. Post Date: 02/04/11, Replies: 3 | ||
| People be aware! Please go to www.organicconsumers.org to find out whole truth. Whole Foods Market,Organic Valley, and Stonyfield support Monsanto's GE alfalfa. What is next? Apples, oranges, pears, peaches, and many other vegetables? I care about not just my own health but health of animals and our environment. How about you people? Isn't there more important things other than profit? I am so disgusted. The policy set for GE alfalfa will most likely guide policies for other GE crops as well. True coexistence is a must." - Whole Foods Market, Jan. 21, 2011 In the wake of a 12-year battle to keep Monsanto's Genetically Engineered (GE) crops from contaminating the nation's 25,000 organic farms and ranches, America's organic consumers and producers are facing betrayal. A self-appointed cabal of the Organic Elite, spearheaded by Whole Foods Market, Organic Valley, and Stonyfield Farm, has decided it's time to surrender to Monsanto. Top executives from these companies have publicly admitted that they no longer oppose the mass commercialization of GE crops, such as Monsanto's controversial Roundup Ready alfalfa, and are prepared to sit down and cut a deal for "coexistence" with Monsanto and USDA biotech cheerleader Tom Vilsack. Post Date: 02/04/11, Replies: 0 | ||
| Newbie vegan I am currently vego and wanting to go vegan does anyone have Any tips on foods and supplements Post Date: 02/02/11, Replies: 1 | ||
| Plant-based health study: already @ day 16 Hi, everyone! I just wanted to post an update on the progress of our Plant-based Health Study going on. Today is day 16 and we have successfully gotten all of our participants past the 2 week mark without losing anyone! Yay! Some have had their ups and downs with the transition but we are doing our best to support them through all parts. For those of you who are not aware, I am a physician in the L.A area who advocates a plant-based diet. I am currently doing a quantitative health study on the benefits of a plant-based diet (vegan). If you would like to learn more please visit my blog/site. The parameters of the study are all listed as well as all the participants and their respective stories. They have all switched from either a SAD or a vegetarian diet to a Vegan one and are doing so for 60 days as we measure various health parameters. Each one of our participants health info including labs are posted on the site for full transparency purposes! Additionally, the participants are blogging several times a week (on their pages) about their experiences (hence the above mentioned ups and downs!). I'm sure they would love your support and kind words if you should decide to stop by. They have been telling me the comments on their pages help to keep them going on tough days. =) We will be doing our 30 day testing coming up in a week and a half and we are excited to see and post those results to compare to our baselines as soon as they are available. Hope everyone is well! I love this site! Jenna Post Date: 02/02/11, Replies: 0 | ||
| Seeking genuine wheatgrass opinions Hi there! I have been growing and drinking wheatgrass juice pretty much every day for over a year now. My problem is that I really don't know if it helps me out or not. Although I do have a friend who says wheatgrass nursed him back to health after being deathly sick, I am a healthy, fit vegan who is wondering if wheatgrass does wonders for me or not. There are those who claim wheatgrass juice is magic, and there are others who claim it doesn't really do anything. If you have any true stories about how you are sure wheatgrass juice helped you, please let me know!!! I feel like I need a little inspiration to keep growing and drinking it. Post Date: 11/24/10, Replies: 7 | ||
| Vitamans What type of vitamans does a Lacto-ovo Vegetarian need to take.......Any Suggestions... Post Date: 11/19/10, Replies: 13 | ||
| Improving Gall Bladder Health I repeatedly get gall stones forming in my gall bladder, I've been told that my gall bladder is 'sick' and doesn't function effectively at contracting and draining the bile out. I've been told there is no way to help this and it will only worsen. Does anyone know of any effective ways of improving gall bladder health please and reducing the formation of stones. I mostly stick to a low fat diet, but eat oily fish and nuts. Has anyone out there managed to improve the health of their gall bladder or no longer gets stones (or at least problem stones) without removing the gall bladder? Many thanks Post Date: 11/17/10, Replies: 3 | ||
| granola. does anyoneknow how to make it. so does anyone know how to make it? Post Date: 11/17/10, Replies: 5 | ||
| How do vegetarian's deal with vitamins? I know the answer to begin with: Eat well balanced meal with greens, fruits, grains, and legumes. Stay away from dairy, sugars, meat, and so forth. My question is: My son needs more vitamin A in his diet to help clear up the acne on his face -- doctor says... But when looking for vitamins, and I thought I was up on all this, most vitamins are made with gelatin which is meat based. OM GOSH!!! We looked at the dry ones and it is made with fish oils and so forth. Do you vegans / vegetarians that say you are one, eat the properly made vitamins or are you ignorant to it as I was? I tossed out my E, multi vitamin, and so forth. I was stupid and ill-informed. So we now go to four exceptional health food stores in our area, and looking closer at their vitamin section, we noticed that 98% of everything they carry is NOT for the vegetarian community. The irony of this is that the manufactures of these products have misleading company names like NATURES WAY, and so forth. They had a beta carotene that will work, but the other 12 beta carotene products contain gelatin and other animal products. So what do you do for your vitamins? Omega 3's come from plant life as well... Post Date: 10/06/10, Replies: 11 | ||
| raw food/diet book Hi - I am a successful literary agent and a well known cookbook publisher has asked me to find one or more authors for a book on raw food and dieting. I need a raw food "chef" and a nutritionist, MD, NC, (and one with the right credentials or one person who is both) who understands the science of raw foods. Anyone interested in talking? Thanks - Neil ----------------------------------------------------- Neil J. Salkind, Ph.D., Agent The Salkind Agency (Part of StudioB) [email protected] www.salkindagency.com (913) 538-7113(V) | (516) 706-2369(F) Follow me about publishing stuff on Twitter at Neil_at_StudioB Post Date: 08/14/10, Replies: 2 | ||
| fasting for long time with no solid food hi to all..i just start fasting without food already 10 days,getting 1 glas of vegie juice(selery,bitroot leafs,wheetgrass juice orange)1 rice milk and 1 glass soy milk plus some shlorella and alot of lemon water per day..if anyone give me advice for longer fasting without damage my body..ty Post Date: 04/28/10, Replies: 22 |
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