Going Vegan

Good luck Torrance. I was vegetarian for over 20 years, but during the last few years pre-surgery, I started eating fish. One trouble is that so many of the high protein vegetarian foods are hard to digest, and I no longer could eat beans, was avoiding tofu because soy mimics estrogen and I have a condition that puts me at higher risk of breast cancer, and eggs were just about the only protein food I could eat (free range, happy chickens -- they lay eggs whether we eat them or not....). So, I started eating fish..... I was a little dismayed to find that it made me feel better than ANYTHING, but I just went with it.... I was so sick.

Now post surgery I am getting back to the veggie foods I used to eat. One issue is that they are high fiber and make me have to empty the bag a lot.... I digest them fine now, though..... not sure how that works w/a j pouch.

I am less strident than I used to be. I considered eating chicken, but it so doesn't appeal to me.... I have started to think more about carbon footprint and trying to eat locally, and local diets in cold climates have never been vegan.... but then, I do love chocolate, and I don't think we'll be growing that in Massachusetts any time soon....

But I have shifted all over the place over the years over my reasons for eating what I eat and not.... it's great to make mindful choices about food and to see how it connects to the rest of life.... I am glad you took the documentary seriously.

You might want to look at some of Michael Pollan's books -- food for thought. And if you do become vegan, educate yourself -- especially pay attention to B12, as it's very hard to get from vegan sources (tempeh has some, as does nutritional yeast), and having lost some ileum with a colectomy, you are at risk of B12 deficiency.

Best of luck.

I also would like to eat vegan but simply cannot eat enough different foods to be healthy enough. I already have to give myself weekly B12 shots because my doctor was shocked at how low my levels were. I myself do not eat any meat, but I do eat a lot of seafood and occasionally something like eggs or chicken. I also eat dairy, things like cottage cheese and other easier to digest dairy products. I love veggies but they are harder on my system so I really have to limit them, unfortunately! I would say, it's a great idea but don't push yourself to do it all at once. If you can slowly eliminate the things you wish to stop eating, it will probably be an easier transition. I wish you luck, and please keep us updated! I think your goal is very inspiring!!!

Good luck to you. I've been vegetarian for 23 years and my daughters were veggie from birth. My daughter was dx very early with UC. In my research, I've actually come to the opposite conclusion, that grains are a potential problem and I'm in the odd position of being a vegetarian who believes in the paleo diet. After so many years of not eating meat, however, I could never do that diet. There's so much information out there, and it's very contradictory. I think what you are doing is probably the best - researching and coming to your own conclusions about diet based on ethics and what you feel comfortable with instead of looking to cure your crohns with it.
BtW, I was vegan for three years in college, vegan cheese, NOT good. Since then the whole "raw" movement has exploded, I'm sure you can find some interesting recipes from them if you can tolerate them (they do eat a lot of nuts).

I think I could go vegan,if it includeded cheese and peanu butter. ! I do like the tofu cheese on things, but I couldn't just grab up a handful of it!
Good luck!

NASCARon said...
I could never be a vegetarian. I love meat way too much. I subscribe to PETA tho not the one you think... People Eating Tasty Animals.

Seriously... God gave us animals to eat.

HA!

But Torranceboy, I know quite a few people that have become vegetarian or vegan because of animal conditions. I think it is commendable and it does help raise awareness for the fact that we should respect the animals that we use for food. What i have chosen to do is eat animal products from sources that i trust to look into where the meat comes from and how its raised. I prefer to get those products from local farms that actually invite you to go see how the animals are treated. I makes me feel better about what I put in my body and how I'm able to respect the animals for giving me sustenance. I always said i could be a vegetarian easy, but I'd be an ovo-lacto vegetarian because I LOVE cheese and eggs. Vegan would just not work for me. Especially since I'm allergic to soy, many fish, and cannot eat any leafy greens.

Seek out farmers markets, local vegetable delivery services, and local farms. Also look for vegan food blogs, there are tons of great ones out there! Best of luck to you!