This evening I watched a documentary called Forks Over Knives. According to the website the documentary "examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods." Although I have already made impressive improvements in my health over the last year, I feel like I can do more towards living a healthy lifestyle.
If you've made a similar change, please leave me a comment and share your experience. I'd appreciate any links to articles, book recommendations, blogs of people who have made similar changes, basically directing me to any information that can help me understand the benefits and the risks of switching to a plant based whole foods diet.
But I am most interested in your own personal experiences. So please share!
I disagree with Forks over Knives conclusions! Processed foods yes, Industrial meat yes, but meat in of itself is not the culprit. Pasture raised, pasture fed beef etc. can be good and good for you. Regardless of whether you eat meat, eating mostly vegetables (and fruits and nuts) is very important.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I would try a plant based diet for a while if you feel up to it. It works for some people. I believe that some people thrive on it and others don't. Either way, no harm in eating so much vegetables, that's for sure.
Good luck, looking forward to how this works for you.
I was a vegetarian for a couple of years and enjoyed the variety of meals as well as the near experiences that it provided for us. However being a home that has both dairy free and gluten free members in it, virtually makes it impossible to get the calories and more importantly nutrition needed without meat.
Thomas, I became vegan January 4th of this year. We know each other from Daily Mile. Since becoming vegan I ran the most miles in a week ever (83) and most miles in a single run (20.6 - twice). You're gonna come across many site with a lot of information out there. I recommend nomeathathlete.com and http://thrivein30.com/sign-up-now/(This last site is a 12 lesson video series that educates you on the vegan diet - it's free and by Brendon Brazier a vegan athlete. I learned a lot and below each video is the transcript. Of course Brendon has a company, Vega that sells GREAT vegan supplements, but a bit expensive for me). A good book I've found is "Vegan for Life" by Jack Norris and Virginia Messina - good no-nonsense information. I take a multi-vitamin and B12 sublingual supplements. http://dalesrawfoods.com/: Dale has great raw vegan protein bars and powder that he makes himself - and he usually always has some deal going on. Anyway, be happy to try to help in any other way - rickyferdon@gmail.com Namaste!
ReplyDeleteI've been a pescetarian, pescovegetarian or fish eating vegetarian (call it whatever you want ;) ) for 5 months now. I'm not eating fish every day though, but maybe twice a week. I also eat some cheese and milk (latter mostly in recovery drinks, that contain also whey protein) I would've gone full vegan by now, but I just haven't found a good reason to stop eating some fish. Every study I've seen tells me it's pretty damn healthy stuff. Also easy. Just buy a piece of fish, throw it in the pan, add salt and put in your mouth ;)
ReplyDeleteBut I'm now trying to get rid of all dairy products and substitute my pre-made recovery drinks with recipes from Brendan Braziers book the Thrive Diet. And I'm pretty sure that in some point I just realize I've stopped eating fish too. That's what happened with meat. I decided to cut back and one day I couldn't remember when was the last time I eat meat.
Oh, and additional tip:
ReplyDeleteDon't believe in that semi scientific mumbo jumbo many vegan author claims to be true in their books. There are benefits and there are studies that vegan diet is good for you, but in many cases they make specific scientific claims without giving you any sources. If you can't find the source, then take it with a grain of salt.
Here is my story http://craig-photography.blogspot.com/2011/08/living-life-with-heart-of-servant-and.html
ReplyDeleteI went almost vegan with great success. Just found your blog, love it. I will be running my 1st 10k on 9/25, dreaming of 50k trail run.
Thanks for the motivation.
My wife and I have been "mostly" Vegan athletes for two years now (we occasionally will indulge in a cheese pizza). We have not only found it doable but believe it has enhanced our performance. We have completed several marathons, a couple Ultras, many triathlons, and an Ironman all while being fueled on a plan based diet. I agree with the previous post and think the Thrive Diet book is a great source. Also, check out Rip Esselstyn's book "The Engine 2 Diet". It is a good starting point for 28 days, then you can learn to tweak it for your needs. Last, be aware that you may feel a bit "bonked" after a week or so as your body adjusts. If that happens you may need to increase your calorie consumption. Best of luck to youGoings vegan was one of the best decisions I have made!
ReplyDeleteI am vegetarian, but not completely vegan. I drink skim milk and eat yogurt, but no eggs or cheese, and definitely not meat. I have done a couple marathons, never an ultra though. I am still trying to figure out what the diet I need is to maximize performance. I need a source or something. I feel great, I am of course hungrier a little more often, but I need to know some good foods that will prevent me bonking. go vegetarian Thomas. I love following you. Good Luck
ReplyDeleteI tried whole heartedly to go full vegan earlier this year. Despite careful research and detailed monitoring of my diet I found switching to vegan actually hampered my weight loss goals. In brief, my story is that I have lost 140 pounds thru nutrition and mental counseling. I've maintained the loss but I'm far from my ideal weight and was slipping back earlier this year. The vegan diet did result in reversed aches and pains however I found I was not as mentally as sharp and I found I was bruising at the slightest bump. Pursue your goals and dreams, do what is right for you. My experience lead me to understand vegan does not mean healthy. There are still fake foods, large portions and high calorie foods. I consider myself "mostly vegan" now. Perhaps vegetarian would be more accurate but I am much more aware of animal rights concerns. I try and pick foods raised/grown with care and respect for the food, the planet, and the consumer. Good luck, start focused.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm going to get slated for this as there seems to be vegetarian/vegan folks here but I have been on a low carb/ Paleo diet for the last three months. I've list 32lbs and feeling pretty good with it. I would recommend you check out robbwolf.com or google Gary Taubes. Good luck with whatever you decide.
ReplyDeleteNot to slate vegan/vegetarian by no means, and I had tried to live like one for 2 periods lasting 6 months each (my family of men disagreed, so eventually I figured I don't want to cook doubles), and there are more than plenty of great vegan athletes (Scott Jurek jumps first, of course), but depending on your goals and why's, Paleo is another one to give it a shot (as Forefooted said). You can check out my progress on the link. To full disclosure, I don't eat fat as much as Paleo suggest, and do dip into cheese daily for a serving size. Also, again, not to diss anybody, I had seen plenty fat and unhealthy vegan, and plenty fit "regular eaters (no Paleo, no anything, just conscious). So, as I said, depending on what is the goal, and why you want it. If for the sake of trying and seeing how it works for you - jump in!
ReplyDeleteTry it! I've been vegan for 14 years and I seem to have way more energy and need less sleep than almost everyone I know. You could try cutting out one thing a week while adding in something new-- maybe no cheese, but add quinoa? So many amazing recipes out there. Fat Free Vegan Kitchen is one o my favorites: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/
ReplyDeleteI'm considering going on the diet after the documentary. We purchase farm share chicken and beef, and quite enjoy it. We wonder if we can simply cut down our meat portions significantly, and remove processed sugar/milk from our diet and achieve many of the same benefits.
ReplyDeleteMy gripe is a selfish one. I love dairy (particularly cheese, milk, yogurt, ice cream) and have a sweet tooth. I can muscle reducing meat, but it seems *strange* to remove it altogether.
Just wondering what other's think about a *significantly reduced* dairy/meat/sugar regimen in favor of more vegetables/salads/brown rice/nuts/beans/whole grain
Drew--since I wrote this post I decided to pursue the Paleo Diet for Athletes (see http://bit.ly/pKNeVd). The cool part is that on this diet you can still eat meat and some dairy if desired. I'm excited about it!
ReplyDeleteForks over knives and The china study changed my life. I have been on a whole foods, planted based diet, with maybe fish 2-3 times a month - since January 1st. In that time I have lost 37lbs, blood pressure fell from 148/98 to 117/78 (this morning). Cholesterol levels fell as well. Biggest thing was I was borderline Type 2 Diabetic with blood sugars at 205, tested yesterday and they are down to 87 - 90 each day. Unbelievable the changes that take place. Skin is softer, and tighter, energy levels way up. No worries on protein as you get more from veggies then beef anyway - and no worries on calcium as you get that from other foods also. Its a great lifestyle change, not a diet. Any questions, feel free to write me at intrustaccounting@yahoo.com Tony.
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