Plant Based Diet

RuralDreams

Firstly, this is not me preaching or telling people what they should or should not eat. I'm not advocating for one food plan over another and do believe in a balanced diet. However, due to some health issues arising I have been researching ways and means, including exercise, to improve my specific health issues as well as improving my overall well being.

A lot of research has pointed to a plant based diet and the reduction of animal products including diary.
I have suffered from some stomach issues this year which is linked to certain foods I eat. I have never before suffered with a food allergy or intolerance before and I do not know why this has crept up on me this year but it has been very uncomfortable and impacted on my health.
I also suffer from flare ups of gout. Now anybody who has suffered or seen somebody suffer from gout it is very painful, joints inflame and it is difficult to manage the pain.
Also I do suffer from inflammation in knee joints, as do most my family and I've no doubt knee replacement is in my future as it has been for grandparents and parent.

Now a little about me, since the above health issues make me sound unhealthy/ill lol.
Early 30s, considered healthy, 5'7" and 10st so by now means heavy, active and workout moderately.
My doctor believes the gout is related to a kidney issue which leads to too much acid that leads to gout flare ups.

Now on to the plant based diet idea. Fortunately I am not fussy when it comes to food, so reducing my animal product intake would not be a big deal to me. I love fruit and veg and I like Mexican, Indian, Japanese food which are usually heavily plant based.
I know that we can get all our protein from plants and grains and nearly all our vitamins minus maybe B12?

Research does support this diet and shows reductions in inflammation, heart rate, cholesterol, stress, vascular problems, diabetes and cancer.
A simple notion I came away with was basically; we eat beef, what do cows eat? Plants and grains thus what is good for them is surely good for us. The old saying of as strong as an ox is something we have all heard yet a ox eats plants and that animal is a beast!
After researching and finding results that support plant based diet I am really interested in making the switch, I will not likely drop all animal products but I am interested in a minimum 80/20 split in favour of plant based.

Does anybody follow this idea? Has anybody reduced their meat/chicken/fidh/dairy intake for health reasons? Opinions? Advocate or not?
I'm just looking for some real people opinions

littlegreenparrot

I find I do best on a plant based diet.
Mostly fruit, veg, grains, small amounts of meat occasionally, no dairy.

I came to it gradually, I like vegetarian dishes anyway, so was eating less meat. Gave up dairy and found it made a big difference to my skin.

Have tried being fully vegan, but for me personally that is difficult to maintain. Eggs are really handy for a quick, nutritious meal.

You're right, if you're vegan you do need a B12 supplement.

I would encourage you to try and see how you get on. Increasing fruit and veg intake is generally a good idea anyway.

RuralDreams

Littlegreenparrot: I do find gluten and diary products have an adverse effect on my skin and make me feel rather bloated so I will be reducing these without getting rid altogether.

I'm going with the sensible approach or adding more fruit, veg and grains whilst reducing animal products for a overall healthier diet. I will probably cut meat/chicken/fish down to one or two main meals per week. I don't drink a lot of cows milk as it is but I am open to exploring other types to see if I like them. I have a plan to create a fruit and veg area in my garden so I will have on hand access to more plants. It will also be cheaper cutting down on meat and will encourage me to try out new recipes.

I think this will be the best approach for my household. Like you say Norman it can be difficult balancing my ideas re food with other members of the household.
I know some people say it's all or nothing but I'm happy to mix and match but increase plant based food over animal

Mojisola

RuralDreams wrote: »

A simple notion I came away with was basically; we eat beef, what do cows eat? Plants and grains thus what is good for them is surely good for us.

Cows have a four-part stomach - do you?

Manxman_in_exile

Wouldn't most people be eating about 80:20 in favour of plants etc? 20% meat and dairy sounds a lot to me?

kadison

No personal experience but I know Rachel Riley from Countdown, tried a Vegan diet for a month and all her health issues cleared up overnight pretty much, so she's now Vegan!


It's not for everyone and it's not something I could do unless I had no other option, but good luck and I hope it works for you

pattypan4

boring, we have omnivore teeth, says something.

Katiehound

You might find that cutting out dairy, specifically cows milk and cows milk products (esp yummy cheese!) will help with joint problems.

Cows milk products seem to make my arthritic fingers a lot worse... but sometimes I can't resist cheese!
Generally I use soya yoghurts & soya or rice milk, soya or sunflower spreads. Many spreads contain milk products even if they are called things like 'Olive spread'. The Pure brand is what it says- but of course it's dearer!)

Danipat

I follow a plant based diet and so do my clients.

I have Crohns Disease and that has been under control for 5 years since making the switch.

A lot of my clients have seen huge improvements with things like arthritis, endo, IBS etc.

EssexHebridean

Before considering going plant based and cutting entire food groups from your diet and particularly for medical reasons it would be a great idea to ask your Dr for a referral to a qualified dietician or registered nutritionist so you can actually get some fact-based information on this. There is a lot out there on the web currently around the "food as medicine" rhetoric - and a fair bit of it is absolute nonsense.

Eva - posting a complete menu plan (Which appears to be copied and pasted directly from an American website without any attribution) on a thread like this is helpful to only a single person - and that person is you, and only then if that plan works for you. It could also be suggested that in fact all that weighing and measuring of absolutely everything is, in itself, not exactly indicative of a good relationship with food.