Veganism helping quite a bit

Hey all,

I know that there can be some strong feelings about this issue, so please let me preface this by saying that I am only sharing what is working for me. I am NOT an ethical vegan (nor a dietitian), I did this purely for its healing properties and for the extra energy that has been associated with this diet. I DO NOT mean to start a debate, but I of course welcome any friendly questions

Okay so about a week ago I became a vegan, mainly because even with weight loss and daily exercise I had no more energy than I did before. You may have read that I was feeling pretty asymptomatic from the GERD, but I still had the chest pressure that's been plaguing me for this whole ride. I had no idea that the diet would stop my reflux symptoms in their tracks.

Now, I know that this diet can't work/isn't feasible for some people, and that's okay. Again, I just wanted to share something that is working quite well for me and if you have the opportunity, maybe it could work for you too.

SO, I started last week on Monday and I haven't had even a touch of reflux all week. Nothing. Not one single symptom. I finally feel absolutely normal again. I'm going to take you through a very normal diet for me for the day:

BREAKFAST
-piece of whole-grain toast with peanut butter
-bowl of whole grain-cereal (like Fitness) with oat milk
-oatmeal (made with water) with blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries

SNACKS
-apple/banana
-raw walnuts/almonds/peanuts/cashews
-raw zucchini
-celery with peanut butter
-carrots

LUNCH
-brown rice with vegetables for lunch (carrots, celery, sprouts, green beans, what have you)
-vegetable soup
-piece of whole-grain toast with hummus and kidney beans on top
-PB&J sandwich on whole-grain toast

DINNER
-salad of either steamed broccoli, cauliflower or green beans with either kidney or black beans and topped with sunflower seeds, sometimes with hummus or tahini (sesame seed) sauce for a little flavor
-oats with kidney or black beans
-vegetable tart (like a pizza but with pesto/vegetable sauce and only veggies on top)

TO DRINK:
-water
-sugar-free fruit juice (made with grapes and apples, I chose that one for flavor only)

Also, you will probably notice that there are no triggers up there (except bananas).

Last Sunday was my husband's birthday and I made us tuna melts, at his request - and I refluxed for hours after. I didn't have cheese on mine, so it's very possible that it was the mayo in the tuna that hit me. Even though I didn't think I did, I may have a lactose intolerance that I wasn't aware of.

I'm fine with having such a regimented diet to feel great again. I am starting to view food as simply fuel for my body and that makes it very easy to avoid triggers/unhealthy food.

The biggest "gift" that GERD has given me is the ability to say no to food. It's been a battle my whole life and I can finally do it. When a door closes, a window opens... or so I've heard

Again, just take this as one humble opinion.

I hope everyone is feeling well. Lots of love to all!
Ashley

Yes, Nexium 40mg/day. I was taking it for a month before I started and I will keep taking it until my doctor tells me to stop. I tried stopping it once with terrible results.

I was feeling loads better when I was taking the Nexium, but I was still having that confounded chest pressure at least once a day. Not exactly pain, but a lot of discomfort. I also had a lot of bloating in my stomach which was uncomfortable.

When I cut out the meat and dairy, that's when it stopped altogether.

Thank you, St. Kitt :) I love that name.

Happy Wednesday to you too. Hope you're feeling well!
Ashley

AshleyRose

fantastic! that you have found this dietary strategy so effective for mitigating reflux

recently ive experienced a similar thing...my wife is a prolific gardener, and i help as her assistant

we have 1/4 acre "under cultivation and by mid summer thru end of september we have so many fruits and vegetables that we just really minimize or eliminate for several weeks most if not all of our meat consumption

during this time i notice significant decrease in reflux events...few if any cases of sore throat, lyrinx fels better and no lung congestion from inhaling reflux

i still eat small amounts of mayonnaise (olive oil based, not canola nor other oils) and an occasional egg...im tempted to go all the way and see if i get even better results

thanks for sharing your experience

no doubt more vegetables equals less gerd for me too

yes, no pizza for me either,..................................................i............do.................so..................miss..............pizza

but its my number 4 major reflux trigger

im gluten intolerant... and...of course tomatoes are quit acidic...cheese and fat (lactose a problem too...tears)



boo hoo

as for milk and cheese, my wife, bless her soul, puts it the back of the refrigerator too, so im not tempted

we harvested corn today ( a late season in the pacific north west this year, due to very cold pacific ocean, la nina)

love corn and, so far, its been reflux safe for me

..so sad to see the long days coming to an end

best wishes
mock turtle

Post Edited (mock turtle) : 9/15/2011 11:38:52 PM (GMT-6)

AshleyRose

it changes from time to time but holding steay at number one, is chocolate...absolutely and consistently my worst trigger

followed by animal fat content of any food or recipe

and unfortunately, garlic and onions,

which, as a person of italian american heritage, was in half of everything i cooked !!! but alas,...no more

(disclaimer..once in a great while i cheat or should i say "sin"

btw, my reflux seems to get worse in the winter...dont know why...vitamine D? exercise? emotional outlook ? eating fewer fresh vegetables?

it is a multi-variable 4 dimensional simultaneous equation that i struggle to solve...toooo complex

and the crazy thing is that a particular practice, or food or supplement or herb seems to help... or hurt... over an over and then

just when i think i know.... suddenly it doesnt

sheesh its drivin me crazy........................................and its a short drive :)

best wishes
mt

Post Edited (mock turtle) : 9/16/2011 10:41:45 AM (GMT-6)