New Vegan and Loving It
- I became a vegetarian last summer. Spiritually I felt better immediately since my impetus for going vegetarian was moral issues with killing animals. It took a few months before that concern prompted me to go full vegan. I have had IBS since I was in college, and no longer suffer the symptoms of bloating and constipation. I have lost several pounds. I'm hoping to see even more health benefits as my time as a vegan increases, but I'm thrilled with the choice I've made.
- —debg1211
Got healthy real quick
- I became a vegetarian due to my love of animals. Since then I've lost 16 lbs, lowered my cholesterol from 250 to 190, my glucose is normal, and I love to experiment with new foods. Although I still eat dairy (allergic to eggs), I have cut my consumption to virtually nil. I have been ill all of my life but I feel healthy now despite my many illnesses.
- —chenoa45
Pro-veggies!
- I have struggled with an eating disorder for years. Starvation was the only way I felt comfortable in my body. One day about 4 years ago a friend recommended that I try a vegetarian diet in order to get more nutrient-rich food into my body without the heavy weighed down feeling I experienced with meat. So I decided to give it a try. I loaded my diet with fruits and veggies, experimented with tofu, polenta, hummus, ect. Gradually I started to feel better, my hair didn't fall out as much, my fingernails stopped peeling, and my energy level improved. I have eaten meat since then (usually during the holidays) and the old feeling of heaviness and lethargy comes back. So I very rarely eat meat at all and have found that the closer I stick to my meatless, veggie-based diet the better I feel. I still struggle with my eating disorder but have improved my health 150%!
- —Guest Deb T.
Why I went Vegan
- First to protest inhumane slaughter of animals. Next, because vegan is better for my body.
- —jenifernewfeld
Transitioning to Vegetarian, Vegan Raw
- My transition began about 20 years ago now, I went vegetarian mainly for ethical reasons but then began to realize that diet and health are totally interconnected. I have researched nutrition for many years and totally believe in this connection. Veganism is only a small step away from Vegetarianism and going vegan helped me eliminate food allergies and excessive tiredness due to the wheat and dairy. I am now 100% raw, my body has changed completely, my energy is great, I lost some excess pounds and feel great. I don't get sick and when I do, my body heals itself almost immediately.
- —Guest Margaret Gomes
All this is wonderful
- I have been reading these wonderful contributions and I am so happy to see so many lives improved and illness overcome! I have been a vegetarian for over 20 years but I still had a weakness for cheese and dairy, until I had a gallbladder attack.due to some complications in the hospital, I still have my gallbladder but by eliminating (almost) all dairy, I have not had another attack! (I can't always resist a piece of swiss cheese). Every year it is so encouraging to know that a non-flesh diet is becoming more mainstream. We have to let the world know that this is not some fad! I also sailed through Meno-pause because of my Soy-based diet. We are no longer looked upon as pale carrot nibblers but as healthy vibrant people eating delicious,satisfying foods,and more important, saving lives and the planet! Don't ever feel embarrased to proudly voice your dietary choice. What we are doing is so important for the future,every year more folks see the "light" and eat right. Keep it up!
- —vinsue
truly the "fountain of youth"!!!
- Being a vegan has changed everything in my life. Im fifty now and I feel like I am twenty!! I used to wonder how people were vegetarians, i thought it even sounded soo boring, its just the opposite! I regret not eating this way in my twenties, but my daughter is doing just that and we are both happy with all the results. I have noticed my skin looks great, people want to know what I'm doing but its what I'm "not" eating thats made the difference. I have convinced my best friend to stop eating meat and explained the cruelty that really goes on to these animals. I am trying to spread the word. We all need to get "back to basics", buy vegetables and fruit from our local farmers markets, "eat to live" and not "live to eat", we are dying from obese diseases etc. I have not had a soda in six years, and don't miss it either. I think people are starting to wake up a little and are starting to listen about living an earth friendly life.
- —Guest marion
Veganism eliminated my asthma!
- I was vegetarian for about four years before going vegan, and yes I saw benefits from clearer skin to amazing amounts of energy. I haven't been sick since I became a vegetarian. I used to either get pneumonia or bronchitis every single year, and thanks to vegetarianism, I haven't had either in almost five. But once I went vegan about fifteen months ago, I noticed that my asthma has almost completely vanished. I hardly ever use my inhaler, and haven't wheezed once in months, although I'm physically active. If it wasn't for becoming a vegan, I believe that I wouldn't have the opportunity to enjoy a more active life through not having so many asthmatic problems.
- —Guest jennbabs19
Menopause
- I became a veg during peri-menopause and have sailed through menopause- no hot flashes, no mood swings just a stopped period and feeling fine!
- —Guest Nora
It is a cure
- I am a cardiovascular patient. I've already had a triple bypass surgery, and two angioplasties, but I ended up with most of my coronary arteries severely or totally blocked .I was getting worse every day. I had chest pain from any small effort, even from eating lightly. I finally discovered this vegan diet program and started following it very stricly. Improvement started after only a week. Now after only one month on the program I don't have any chest pain. I can walk for 30 min. and even climb stairs. I have also discontinued three of my main cardiac medicines and hope to get rid of the rest. But it's not all; I am not anxious or depressed any more, but hopeful and cheerful as I once was. I can't believe all this is just by giving away all animal products. It would have been so easy from the very beginning...If I only knew !
- —Guest Fouad Kamal
My IBS has improved!
- My IBS is better than it ever has been since I started a vegetarian diet! I'm not constipated or bloated after meals or for days on end like I used to be. All meat used to make me feel terrible, even chicken. Now if I could just give up dairy I'd probably be cured. ;)
- —Guest Ashley
Fountain of Youth
- I have been vegetarian/vegan over half of my life now. I look HALF MY AGE. I feel great. I have tons of energy. I see many of my friends who are around my age suffer from age- related maladies. I always think "Man, getting old is going to suck..." then I realize "I'm the same age!".
- —bluewormy
Vegetarian RN
- I have been a vegetarian for a year and a half. I was an overweight "Super Mom" and fast food was killing me fast. I went to Weight Watchers but just couldn't afford it financially and due to time constraints. I figured out that if you avoid high fat foods and increase fiber you can lose weight and not feel like you are starving. All the foods with high fat content were from animal sources so I changed my lifestyle and became a vegetarian. (See my Blog on GoogleBlogSpot-Paint the World-Nutrition and Dieting). There are sooo many benefits to being Vegetarian. I feel physically, psychologically and spiritually renewed. I have more energy and I do not get sick as often. (This is not easy with four kids who bring home every germ they can carry!) The most significant thing I feel is that I don't feel like I'm on a "diet". I was so afraid I would crave food because of the decreased fat calories, but the opposite is true. I think "animal fat" makes you crave more food.
- —Guest joyce brooks
The Start of a New Life
- In the year 2009 there were alot of life changes. Cancer came into my life as well as my son and mother. Mom passed away in June and dealing with my own cancer, and friend's passing away from cancer last year, I just needed to take control of my life. So in October I became a vegetarian/vegan. I have life going through my body once again. I have lost 27 lbs. my cholesterol numbers are coming down. My blood pressure is normal. I am no longer constipated where I agonized in the bathroom for over an hour in such pain. I don't have the brain fog like I was having and I have more energy. I am back going to the gym and gaining my stength. I am emotionally more at peace. I don't have the muscle aches as I once had. I am 52 years old and I should be living, and eating for me has been the best it has ever been since I was a child.
- —Guest Bkeller
well duh...
- I consistently outperform my meat munching friends in physical activity and back country activities. That said I work WAY harder on my eating and cooking. A high performance vegetarian diet is absolutely achievable.
- —mrgorillaguy
