Question:
I am a vegetarian and would like to be a vegan. I am told that there is no way to maintain healthy gut flora without yoghurt. Stopping yoghurt will bring in intestinal disease. How to get healthy gut bacteria without dairy products?
(By: rajan)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question:
I have to say that there are so many myths about food. Back in the 1800's it was the so called "snake oil" that was supposed to cure everything. Today it is 1,000's of items at your local health food store that says they will cure everything. The major difference today, compared with the snake oil, is that then they said that one bottle would cure everything and today they usually say theirs will cure one or and few problems. So take these claims as being nothing more, in most cases, than a lot of hype to make money for them. Generally a vegan only needs a vitamin B-12 supplement each day. I know that I do not need a multi-vitamin but I take one every day as an insurance policy. There may be one vitamin that is reduced in my body because of my heart medication or my prostate medication so I may need to supplement that vitamin. That is my only reason for taking a multi-vitamin. You need to decide if you are going to take one or not but please take B-12 everyday. We vegans, and many flesh eaters and vegetarians, also need it everyday.
(By: Doc)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question: B12
I can't help wondering - if veganism is what we should all be, why do our bodies need B12 to work right? The only place you find B12 is through meat sources. Doesn't that say humans need to eat meat? This is not a negative comment about veganism, as I am just starting out trying to adjust to this way of eating. I've just been thinking about why we need B12 supplements if veganism is the way to go. This change is incredibly hard for me, but I am sure it will result in better health. My cardiologist recommended Dr. Esselstyn's book, and his diet is even harder than the usual vegan diet. No fats or oils at all and I'm used to sauteeing everything in olive oil.
(By: patsy )
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: B12
That is an excellent question Patsy. Let me explain why we need vitamin B-12 in our vegan diet. When we were foragers for food, we did not clean the fruits and veggies. The food had dirt on them and that dirt had vitamin B-12 in it. As we became more civilized we cleaned our food before eating it. Thus we eliminated vitamin B-12 from our diet.
Contrary to popular belief, flesh is not the only place to get that essential vitamin. If that were true then how do we get a vegan vitamin B-12? It comes from the fermenting process of molasses and a few other foods. Also remember that many flesh eaters need to take vitamin B-12 supplements so it is not just vegans that need it. Using your analogy, if a flesh eater only ate flesh would they be able to survive? No! They also need fruits and vegetables. So does that mean that say that humans need to eat fruits and veggies? Humans can live with only eating fruits, nuts, and veggies but a flesh eater can not live for any long period of time only eating flesh. Think about that.
Now for your last part. I have two leaky heart valves and my cardiologist recommended a vegan diet for being the best diet for someone with heart problems. He was not a vegan but he still recommended it. He felt that a vegan diet was too difficult for him to follow so that is why he was not a vegan. He did cut way back on flesh, dairy, and eggs because he knows what they do to the heart. A vegan diet keeps the arteries clean. Scientific studies show that it depends on what kind of oils that one uses and not just all oils. Extra virgin olive oil has been proven to be of benefit for anyone including those with heart problems. Lard on the other hand is very harmful to almost everyone. Maybe your cardiologist said oils to make it simple to remember what to stay away from. Please do some research and you will see that science backs up what I wrote. One last point, please do not over heat olive oil. It can create a carcinogen if it is over heated.
(By: Doc)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Switching to a Vegetarian/vegan diet
I had a head injury in 2003. Since then I switched to vegetarian diet and I stopped drinking alcohol. I am not on any medication, my recovery is normal. All I credit to being a vegetarian and stop drinking alcohol.
(By: tait)
Category: General Questions
Question: Carnosine deficit
I recently switched to a plant based diet. Some of my carnivorous friends tell me that I will get sick and die prematurely due to a carnosine deficiency, since carnosine is only found in meat. "Protein glycation" is the term they use to describe my coming early death from lack of carnosine. I have heard that taking a vegan form of the amino acid Alanine could help avoid some problems. Do you know what might be done to resolve carnosine deficiency? Thank you for your kind help in this matter!
Sincerely,
Wayne McCleaft
(By: Wayne McCleaft)
Category: Health Questions
ANS: Question: Carnosine deficit
Hello Wayne,
I now get a chance to use my biology class that I was able to get instituted in college. The course did not require any animals being dissected. It was completely on nutrition. Anyway here goes.
The human body needs 12 essential amino acids. A vegan diet only gives you eight of those. So it looks like we are in trouble. Now for the good news. The other four are synsitized by the other eight. That is backed by scientific proof. Please feel free to check it out by using solid scientific organizations.
There is only one thing that we need that is not provided with a vegan diet. That is vitimin B-12. We must get that with a supplement.
I have been a vegetarian for 44 years and the last 15 years has been as a vegan. I receive regular physicals and blood tests. I am 70 years old and I have been in excellent health for a man my age. Since I have had two leaky heart valves from childhood, I have had several tests with cardiologists. They have all found my arteries are whistle clean. Each of them said that the vegan diet is the best diet for heart problems. Without a vegan diet I would have mechanical heart valves by now.
Also it has been shown that vegans and vegetarians live at least five years longer on average than with non-veg'ns.
(By: Doc)
Category: Health Questions
Question: nauseous after becoming a vegan
Hi, My husband and I are two almost three months in on being Vegans. It was a challange but we absolutely LOVED the way we felt overall. Our meals consist of tempeh, tofu, veggies/fruits and quinoa. We\'ve been eating more tempeh. Just recently about two almost three weeks ago I\'ve been feeling nauseous, really nauseous. I haven\'t been able to shake this overwhelming felling of wanting to vomit because of feeling nauseous. Is this normal feeling?
(By: Tori)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Re: Question: nauseous after becoming a vegan
No, it's not normal! Maybe you've picked up a bug, or maybe easing up on the tempeh might help? Depending on the brand, it might have some preservatives that aren't agreeing with you.
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question: Hair Growth?
Hello,
I've been vegan for four years now, however in the last two years my hair on my head has stopped growing. It has not grown a mm in years and though it is thinning as a result there is some new hair coming through, its mostly a length problem.
My doctor said it must have been the shock of changing my diet, but I've noticed doctors blame everything on veganism. I was a vegetarian for a decade before so it was a smooth transition to vegan and in every other respect I'm perfectly healthy.
After some research , I've discovered zinc is responsible for hair growth and is stored in the body for many years before depleted. If this is the case as I don't take supplements I've upped my almond intake, but to no avail.
Is this a common problem with vegans? Is there any other cure I can try.
Any advise is greatly welcomed.
Many thanks,
Joey
(By: Joey Doran)
Category: Health Questions
Question: where can I buy raw grains?
Hello. Does anyone know what foodchains or companies where I can buy raw grains. Literally, the way they grow, raw grains. Raw wheat, raw rye, raw oats, all not even rolled or measured, just raw grains? Do I have to go to a feed store?
(By: karlborges)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question: Vegan for 3 mths feeling less energy...something wrong?
Hello!!!
Very Excited to find this site! My husband and I saw the movie Forks over Knives and both decided at the same time to go vegan! It's been about 3 months and I (Sherry Ann) am not feeling better, I am actually feeling more fatigued and have had more things seeming to not be well! All we read is how well people feel and we are thinking we must be doing something wrong?????
I really feel good about the change and feel more 'right' about our lifestyle and the choices we are making!!
We are new at this, not sure what to look for, we are not sure if our diet is enough protein or not, we were taking a supplement for Vitamin B12 (Trader Joes) and trying to eat well. Though we have to admit we found some vegan baked goods and have added them to our diet. Not on a large scale though! We take supplements, exercise regularly.
What is a 'good vegan' diet you are talking about, what should a day/week look like?
My husband had lost weight, lots ;o), I have not, ;o(!! We eat oatmeal every am with fruit. I make a broccoli salad with Veganaize and other nuts etc. Home made granola bars.
Anyway, I am concerned as my muscles feel different when I stretch, they hurt and feel like an old rubber band. I am having back problems now. Digestive....that seems to have settled some, at first it was a lot of baloatedness. Just not a really good feeling, the zip is gone!!
Any wisdom you have would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Sherry Ann
(By: Sherry Ann)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: Vegan for 3 mths feeling less energy...something wrong?
That's great that you feel "good about the change" and congratulations on making the commitment and maintaining it for over 3 months.
Regarding the fatigue, one reason could be that when you start a healthier diet your body will often go through a detox period. As your body is getting rid of toxins you will feel drained.
With respect to the specific foods that you are eating, I'm sure you only listed a handful but make sure you have a wide variety of foods so that you get the best range of nutrients. Also, make sure to add more protein rich foods such as tempeh or tofu. In the morning, you could have a fruit smoothie with some Vega protein and the protein would sustain you through the morning. (start off with a smaller amount of Vega than suggested)
Another possibility is with regards to the quality of the produce you are using. If you are eating way more produce than before and it is not organic then you may be consuming a high amount of pesticides that will affect the way you feel. Ones that have thin skin (ex: strawberries) or ones with high surface area (ex: lettuce) are the items that should be eaten organic. Ones that have thicker skin are more safe. Also, you can buy a veggie wash to clean vegetables, but again it will not be very effective for produce like strawberries.
Regarding the weight loss, unfortunately it is easier for men to lose weight than it is for women. Depending on how old you are (even moderately young), hormones will be a factor as well.
Let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: Vegan for 3 mths feeling less energy...something wrong?
I was thinking afterward whether your sugar intake has increased as this could also be responsible for a health decline.
Category: Becoming a vegan
Raw Grains
Does anyone know where I can buy raw grains, literally the way they grow, raw grains? Do I have to go to a feed store. Or does anyone know of any chains or companies that would have them?
(By: Borges)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: Vegan for 3 mths feeling less energy...something wrong?
Hi!
Just wondering how things are now going with your vegan lifestyle. I, too, saw forks or knives as well as a couple other food documentaries and decided to give it a try. After about a month now I am beginning to feel the same weak feeling you described. I'm a runner and training for my first marathon and I do bootcamp 2-3X/ week. For the past couple days I have felt completely drained and very weak. Wondering if it will pass and I should stick it out or if this is just not the right diet for me. I would be interested to know how things turned out for you.
Thanks,
Angeline
> Hello!!!
> Very Excited to find this site! My husband and I saw the movie Forks over
> Knives and both decided at the same time to go vegan! It's been about 3
> months and I (Sherry Ann) am not feeling better, I am actually feeling more
> fatigued and have had more things seeming to not be well! All we read is
> how well people feel and we are thinking we must be doing something
> wrong?????
>
> I really feel good about the change and feel more 'right' about our
> lifestyle and the choices we are making!!
>
> We are new at this, not sure what to look for, we are not sure if our diet
> is enough protein or not, we were taking a supplement for Vitamin B12
> (Trader Joes) and trying to eat well. Though we have to admit we found some
> vegan baked goods and have added them to our diet. Not on a large scale
> though! We take supplements, exercise regularly.
>
> What is a 'good vegan' diet you are talking about, what should a
> day/week look like?
>
> My husband had lost weight, lots ;o), I have not, ;o(!! We eat oatmeal
> every am with fruit. I make a broccoli salad with Veganaize and other nuts
> etc. Home made granola bars.
>
> Anyway, I am concerned as my muscles feel different when I stretch, they
> hurt and feel like an old rubber band. I am having back problems now.
> Digestive....that seems to have settled some, at first it was a lot of
> baloatedness. Just not a really good feeling, the zip is gone!!
>
> Any wisdom you have would be appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
> Sherry Ann
> (By: Sherry Ann)
(By: Angeline)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: Vegan for 3 mths feeling less energy...something wrong?
Hi!
You probably know Scott Jurek is vegan, too, as are a lot of long distance runners, so it can be done! It's not automatic, though- I spent the first few months tracking my nutrient intake to make sure I was getting what I needed as an athlete. There are some great online nutrient trackers, and I really think they're worth the time. Once you have a routine and a sense of what's enough, you won't need to track everything so closely anymore.
http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/dailyrecs has a quick list of nutrients vegans should think about. For me, I feel best when I'm eating a bit more protein and fat than most people need.
If your diet is sufficient and you still feel tired, try eating 7-8 small meals instead of 3 big ones. That made a big difference for me.
Category: Becoming a vegan
WJtQPjSuacZ
Natala,I was one of those people that tguhoht I would never be a Vegan, and then I had a heart attack when I was 40. My wife found your blog, and we started to read up on going plant based and being Vegan. My heart disease went away, and I will now be around for my children. My children will not have to get the disease that almost killed me. Now we eat things like tofu. Sure, I get shit for it, but I also know that all of those people will one day have to make a decision between getting over themselves and learning for themselves and changing what they eat. Again, thank you for all you wrote this year.Mike T.
(By: Soo)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: Vegan for 3 mths feeling less energy...something wrong?
VeganDiane has great suggestions. Also, make sure you're eating enough. Unless you're cooking with a lot of oil, you're probably taking in fewer calories than when you were eating meat and cheese. Try adding a few small meals (rather than eating 3 big ones) or snacks (nuts provide fat and calories), or count your calories for a week to make sure you're getting enough food!
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question:
Hi, I just beacame a vegan and i don't know what type of diet to maintain. What should i start off with?
(By: Ashley)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question:
One way is to take recipes that you are already used to preparing and veganizing them. For example, you can still make spaghetti without animal products. Try adding more vegetables and voila, a healthy and yummy meal. Another easy idea is to make some rice and add a variety of steamed vegetables and maybe some edamames for protein or another protein source. Mmmm, another one is your basic salad of romaine lettuce and veggies but then add some chick peas and/or sunflower seeds or walnuts. You can make a dressing with garlic, lemon, and olive oil with various herbs in it.
Start to experiment with foods you may not have used as much in the past such as tempeh, tofu, various beans or lentils. There are so many websites with vegan recipes.
For me I found the easiest way was to veganize meals that I'm used to and then once a week or so I would try a brand new recipe.
Category: Becoming a vegan
cholesterol issues
I just got the news from my doctor. My cholesterol level is 250, trigicerides are 354. I have been hearing a lot and reading a lot about the vegetarian lifestyle curing all of these issues. Is it something I can count on to help me out of this jam I'm in? I have been dabbling in veganism for the last month and I can feel a difference already in how much energy I have. Any information would be very helpful.
Thank You,
Mrs. Maria Redlich
(By: Marie)
Category: Health Questions
ANS: cholesterol issues
You are definitely on the right track. Very few vegans have cholesterol issues. The one thing to keep in mind is that there are still many vegan foods that are "junk food". Once you are looking at processed, packaged foods then you have to still note the ingredients and in most cases limit the intake of these foods. Many of them will be healthier than their non-vegan counterparts but they may still not be the best. I have no cholesterol problems and I have a processed vegan food on occasion. :)
Stick with the whole vegan foods and you'll be a specimen of fine health in no time!
Category: Health Questions
Question: Do you have to wait a period of time before becoming a vegan?
I want to become vegan but i dont know if its true that you have to waot some time like you have to be a vagan but you have to wait like 2 weeks before you actually can call yourself a vegan. Is that true? Or do you not need to wait?
(By: Jocelyne)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: Do you have to wait a period of time before becoming a vegan?
You don't need to wait! Some people will go through a transition period just because they are developing new habits. Once you have made the decision and commitment and are no longer consuming animal products then you can call yourself vegan.
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question: are there any prescription sleeping tablets, either benzodiazepines or non-benzo that are suitable for vegans i.e. no gelatin or lactose
(By: Lainy)
Category: Health Questions
Re: Question: are there any prescription sleeping tablets, either benzodiazepines or non-benzo that are suitable for vegans i.e. no gelatin or lactose
> I have suffer from insomnia and was also wondering the same thing. just found out that sleeing pills contain lactose. If u find a prescription please email me & let me know. Thank u.
> (By: Lainy)
(By: D)
Category: Health Questions
Question: teen vegan
I am 14 going into 9th grade and I was at the beach and someone handed me a vegan flyer and I'm really interested in becoming a vegan because the way the animals are treated is not morally right and then i watched food inc. When I was in 6th grade I asked my parents if I could be a vegetarian because I read an article about the cows and they said no because they think I will lose a lot of weight and have an unhealthy diet. I want to do this really badly and I can't take no for an answer. I can't do this on my own and I need them to help me eat right and buy vegan foods. I can cook for myself an everything but again I can't do it alone. What do I do if they say no? Or should I just not ask for permission and eat what I want without announcing it to everyone and hopefully they won't notice?
(By: sammy)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: teen vegan
Hello Sammy,
I thank you for your concern for animals. I see a dilemma. I want everyone to become a vegan so we can save the animals of the world but I also believe that children should respect their parents. I am almost sure that your parents will notice you trying to eat vegan. Instead, sit down with them and discuss the whole issue. Maybe you can convince them to allow you to become a vegan. Maybe you will have to compromise by cutting down on the amount of flesh, eggs, and dairy that you will eat. Maybe with a compromise they will allow you to become a vegetarian instead of a vegan. This is not a perfect solution but it is better than nothing. Your parents love you very much and they believe that a vegan diet is not safe for you. That is a common belief in this world. Actually they are right if you eat a junk vegan diet. That can be very dangerous. You need a well balanced diet with a vitamin B-12 supplement. A well balanced vegan diet is probably the best diet that anyone can have. You just need to do more research and pass that on to them. As you know, knowledge is very valuable.
Even if your parents never come to your understanding remember that in less than four years you will be 18 and you can eat whatever you want. In those three plus years you can do a lot of research. You can join VEGAN Mailing List, go to VEGAN 2050, read my blog (Doc's Blog), and do a Google for more sites. As far as recipes go to Vegweb.com. They have thousands of vegan recipes. You can also ask more questions on this site. Our mentors have no limit on the number of questions that you want to ask. Again thank you for awaking to the plight of the worlds animals.
(By: Doc)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question:
Hello
I have been vegan for almost a year... I have been using soy milk and almond milk... but uts about a week that i feel my teeth condition has changed a lot... and I'm really scared... :(
whats your suggestion?
(By: Chloe)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question:
That does not make sense. There is no reason that a good vegan diet would cause a problem with your teeth. What exactly is the "teeth condition" that you are talking about?
With that said I have to add one more thing. When I said that there is no reason that a vegan diet would cause that problem, I have to qualify that statement. Since you said that you have been drinking soy and almond milk I made the asumption that you had a good vegan diet. If that is not the case then almost anything could happen. A junk vegan diet is one of the worse diets that anyone could have. It is even worse than a junk SAD (Standard American Diet). On the other hand a good vegan diet is probably the best diet that anyone can have.
The only thing that a vegan needs to supplement is B-12. The rest can be had with a good vegan diet. Almost every medical doctor today asks people to increase their intake of fruits and vegetables. Well, vegans with a good diet will eat far more of these than a flesh eater will. So we are far better off in this area.
Please check your diet carefully and if you are eating a junk vegan diet or not taking a B-12 supplement, then make some changes right away. A junk vegan diet will cause you all kinds of medical problems. Many young vegans today do not eat a well balanced vegan diet. Please eat well and if you need help just ask. We will give you free solid advice.
(By: Doc)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Previous posts << >> Next
Question: gut flora replacement
I had/have a urinary infection and Cipro was prescribed. Being vegan, I don't want to eat yogurt to replace the gut flora. What would a vegan replacement be?
[By: @ 2011-12-11, 23:15 | Reply | Print ](By: Gary)
Category: General Questions
ANS: Question: gut flora replacement
Silk and WholeSoy both make a vegan yogurt with live cultures. Both are pretty good. If you don't have a local source, you can buy probiotic liquids from a health food store (I haven't tried those, so I can't vouch for the taste).
[By: rocketkoala @ 2011-12-13, 16:29 | Reply | Print ]Category: General Questions