[Dos3512]

I have a small dilemma: i went vegan this week but me and t are dealing with my weight issues and as a result wants me to eat meat. But i feel really strongly bout the change i made. What would you do?

[SallyBrown]

In what way is meat supposed to help your issues? Normally I'd say not to give up your convictions about what you should and shouldn't eat, but if you have a serious condition that can be improved by eating a little meat, then it may be worthwhile.

It's possible to have a balanced diet and be vegan, it just takes extra effort.

[Dos3512]

Theres no serious condition involved just seriously overweight.

[bamapsych]

Depends on how much overweight. Do you mind sharing?

[Dos3512]

100 pounds

[SallyBrown]

Originally Posted by Dos3512

Theres no serious condition involved just seriously overweight.

All the more reason to cut out meat! I say stick to your guns. Just make sure you're getting balanced nutrition. And maybe go little by little... making changes too suddenly almost guarantees you'll be overwhelmed and give up on it.

Just do your research about how to be sure you are getting the nutrients from other sources. Share that research with your T. Could be she just doesn't really know much about a vegan diet?

Did T give you a specific reason on wanting you to eat meat? I agree you can be healthy and be vegan, it just takes a little more effort.

I'm vegetarian.. I've thought about being vegan but personally I'd struggle to cut out ALL dairy and products with eggs etc... Perhaps being vegetarian could be a possible compromise? But if this is important to you I say stick with it. I get fairly sick of people judging my choice not to eat meat and telling me it's unhealthy to be a vegetarian - as long as you eat a balanced diet, do your research, and get the nutirents you need (plenty of alternative sources these days) then its NOT unhealthy not to eat meat. In fact I think a lot of westerners eat more red meat than what is healthy. I can only suppose your T wants you to eat lean meats like turkey or chicken instead of fattier vegan options? (Not sure what those fattier vegan options would be!?)

Anyway, my point is: do what's right for you! (Ts aren't actually always right, even if they think they are )

[unaluna]

if t wants you to eat meat because by "going vegan" you are using that to eat high volumes of carbs which aren't agreeing with you, then I would say to take another look at what your goals are. You might have more leeway in your diet when your appetite is more under control. I have been very happy with not changing my basic diet TOO much, but having a set group of foods to fall back on. I can always get myself a yogurt or an apple or a chicken sandwich or some veg and hummus. make vegan "versions" if you wish, but keep it simple, keep it small, and keep it handy, those are my watchwords. i've lost 20 and have at least 100 more to go.

[scorpiosis37]

You can absolutely lose weight while being vegan. You do need protein, but there are vegan options: tofu, beans, tempeh, seitan. If you are eating foods high in protein, along with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, you will lose weight. It's about being vegan "the right way." Because, of course, if your way of being vegan was to eat too many carbohydrates, too much sugar, too much fat, and too much salt, you would not achieve your goal of losing weight. Have you thought of meeting with a dietician who is knowledgable about vegan diets? S/he could help you create healthy vegan meal plans that would help you lose weight. This would probably help satisfy your needs and let your T know that you are on the right track.

[Anne2.0]

Of course you can lose weight and have a healthy diet while being a vegan. I have only toyed with veganism-- I have many vegan (and excellent) cookbooks, partly because the dishes go with meat dishes ala kosher style. So I often bring a vegan dish if I'm going to a potluck so those who eat kosher style (like my H) can enjoy it with meat

I think there are lots of reasons to feel good about going vegan so I would encourage you to stick with it. As a diet it is healthy and as a lifestyle it is lighter on the planet than many if not all other diets.

Originally Posted by Dos3512

I have a small dilemma: i went vegan this week but me and t are dealing with my weight issues and as a result wants me to eat meat. But i feel really strongly bout the change i made. What would you do?

um. eat beans, peanut butter, tofu and almond milk?

I don't get the problem.

The only thing you can get from meat that you can't get from the things I listed is high cholesterol and an upset stomach. (I am not vegan or vegetarian, but I have been eating primarily fish (organic chicken here and there, but mostly just salmon) and I haven't eaten red meat in about 7 or 8 months, and I forgot (yea I know, dumb) and bought a fast food burger that made me so sick I vomited all over my Dr.'s office when I went for my Ortho appointment.

He wanted to send me to ER I threw up so much. I told him it was just my system not being used to the beef (and grease in the fries) and I had made a mistake in eating it so he let me go, but yea. Meat ****s you up.

As long as you eat plenty of protein from other sources I don't see the big deal. Are you underweight, though? My sister is underweight and eats like a bird bc its so hard to find food that isn't processed or stuffed with chemicals.

I have to trick her by mixing peanut butter and liquid egg into her fruit smoothies to get extra protein into her.

Originally Posted by scorpiosis37

You can absolutely lose weight while being vegan. You do need protein, but there are vegan options: tofu, beans, tempeh, seitan. If you are eating foods high in protein, along with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, you will lose weight. It's about being vegan "the right way." Because, of course, if your way of being vegan was to eat too many carbohydrates, too much sugar, too much fat, and too much salt, you would not achieve your goal of losing weight. Have you thought of meeting with a dietician who is knowledgable about vegan diets? S/he could help you create healthy vegan meal plans that would help you lose weight. This would probably help satisfy your needs and let your T know that you are on the right track.

what is tempeh and seitan?

[Victoria'smom]

Seriously have your T send you to a dietitian that deals with weight issues and vegan diets. You don't want to go from one extreme to the other.

[autotelica]

Going vegan straight from a regular Western diet, with no vegetarian phase, sounds like an experiment that is almost guaranteed to cause problems like the one you're facing. Why not see how vegetarian works for you for awhile?

Or better yet, why not have meatless days every day of the week except one, when you allow yourself a small serving of something lean and healthy. It may be enough to keep the cravings at bay. Then, drop the meat completely when you think you're ready.

I don't want to sound like I'm throwing cold water on your dreams, and kudos to you for tackling this. You can definitely do it! But for you to have success, you want to think about the long-term. Gradual changes are more likely to stick than abrupt ones.

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Seriously have your T send you to a dietitian that deals with weight issues and vegan diets. You don't want to go from one extreme to the other.

This is pretty much what I was going to say but I want to add that unless your T is a nutritionist she really shouldn't be managing your diet. The feelings behind why you eat and eating behaviors are what she should be helping with.

Changing your diet is a great step to becoming healthy but with that much to lose you should have the support of someone who will understand your body's dietary needs and guide in going vegan in a healthy way that will support your weight loss.

After I had my d I had 70 lbs to lose so I know what it feels like to struggle with this issue :. Just remember it takes time to make changes and like everyone has already said it will stick better if it is a gradual process instead of making and trying to stick with abrupt changes. Goog luck!

[elliemay]

What would I do? Likely nothing.

If your heart is telling you vegan is the way to go, then what anyone says about should be of little consequence to you conviction. You certainly don't have to defend it.

[franki_j]

I am episcetarian (still eat fish and dairy products).

I came to my T with an ED and ended up losing 20 pounds by eating healthier and not binging. Most of what I was eating by the time I started losing weight and eating really healthy was meatless or vegan, so I had been toying with the idea of completely cutting out all meat. Then I saw this documentary called "Forks Over Knives" which advocated a plant based, vegan diet for health reasons. You should really check this movie out if you are planning to be vegan.
Anyways, that movie convinced me and about a month later I completely cut out meat (but still eat fish). My T was at first concerned, especially because my ED had started partially as a result of me restricting too much, but then when I told her what I was eating each day she told me I was eating really healthy and getting enough protein. I don't think I could every be vegan, as I love dairy, but for me, being veggie works very well and is very possible to do in a healthy way.
Anyways, my point is that my becoming episcaterian was a very gradual process. It was only after my weight had stabilized and I had started eating healthy/not binging that I realized most of what I was eating was meatless, and so it seemed natural for me to cut out meat completely. So like autotelica said, maybe you need to take it one step at a time instead of going full on vegan.

[Dos3512]

She does specialize in ED. But not a nutritionist.

[franki_j]

Originally Posted by Dos3512

She does specialize in ED. But not a nutritionist.

Yes, my T also specializes in ED but not a nutritionist. She was also concerned about me cutting out meat, so I think it is maybe common.