Discussion Board

I am new to this site so forgive if I'm bringing up something already covered.
I'm moving from being vegetarian to Dr M style veganism. Mostly due to the fact that I've been on steroids for 3 years, and I want to get my adrenals up and runnng again.
But my one problem is that my body seems to need yoghurt and, to a much lesser extent, a very low fat cream cheese. I can buy fat free yoghurt, but it is dairy. I have been using it for a long time to combat the stomach problems caused by the steroids. I notice that, I think, both the cheese and the yoghurt are fermented?
What do people think about using soya yoghurt?
I take no other medications.
Green granny

First, welcome!

What makes you think that your body "needs" it?

Not approved on this plan.

Answer the question above and we'll see where we are.

I'd go buy a standardized probiotic capsule with a good variety of mixed bacteria. You can find them in the refrigerated section of most health food stores. Check to make sure the capsules are vegetarian not gelatin. The one I've used has 12 different bacteria strains and 20 billion bacteria per capsule. These really helped me when I was coming off of antibiotics last year after a bout with pneumonia. I get a good mix of bacteria that actually survives past the stomach and no dairy, soy, sugar or fat that I don't want.
Kate

Kombucha works for me, I won't get too descriptive, but it helps everything digestion wise for me. Plus it tastes good, and is a nice alternative to soda-pop.

Perhaps the 'need' you experience is an addiction. Dr. Neal Barnard has a good video that explains addictions to dairy, chocolate, meat, etc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VWi6dXCT7I

also if you think you need fermented foods how about some naturally fermented pickles, sauerkraut or olives?

Thanks for all your answers.
First, the addiction question, which I have been asking myself.
As a very long term vegetarian I always try and "listen" to my body. Is there something it is telling me I need, rather than something like chocolate or caffeine which I see as a craving/addiction.
I know this is not necessarily a very reliable method!! But it seems to work long term with me. For example, some foods can make you feel bloated, or listless, others revive. Or in the winter, when one is short of certain foods ones body tells one so. Doesn't sound very scientific I know.
For those of you who might not know, the steroid prednisone, or prednisolone as it is known here in the UK, is normally taken early morning with a meal. It very commonly causes digestive problems, as it did with me; nausea first thing, followed by heartburn and acid reflux later in the day. Things which I had never encountered before. So one is given omeprazole to cope with the side effects of the steroid.
I was advised, on a UK forum to take organic, low fat, natural yoghurt with breakfast to combat this - and it has worked like a dream Any residual problems with heartburn I have coped with by taking smaller meals, and avoiding anything too fatty. Heven't taken the omperazole for 2+ years now.
The low fat cream cheese I mentioned is not such a problem - I just like it and am reluctant to relinquish it as I really don't like vegan cheeses. It was only when I was posting here that I suddenly realised that both foods might be fermented.
Is tofu fermented?
So there are two things here - the "medicinal" effect of the yoghurt, and the fermented thing. I think separate issues. I can't imagine olives for breakfast though I might enjoy them later in the day!!
I must add that I love veggies and the freshness they give, also the simplicity of some of the recipes on this site!

Hi,
If you read my Star McDougaller story linked to below, you will see that I was once a prednisone-dependent chronic asthmatic. I had severe IBS and acid reflux (I literally could not bend over to tie my shoes without acid pouring up into my throat ). I had the full moon-face (as you can see in the pictures), weighed 300+ pounds, and lost most of my bone mass. What ultimately changed all that was giving up ALL forms of dairy and gluten. Now I weigh 144 pounds, have virtually no asthmatic synptoms (unless exposed to cigarette smoke or perfume) and can walk (and even jog) for miles. I get my calcium from green vegetables and a few sesame seeds and my last bone scan showed positive regrowth of bone mass.

Long story short, you CAN get off the steroids and control your autoimmune disease. But you need to be very strict about eating inflammatory foods - and dairy is the worst. Just try following Dr. McDougall's elimination diet exactly as written for a month, and you will be amazed at the difference it makes: http://www.drmcdougall.com/med_allergic.html

Kate

Thanks Cathy, that's so encouraging!
I don't have a lot of weight to lose, probably 14 lbs or so would be ideal. But getting off the steroids and getting my body back to what it should be is really, really what I want to do.
I HATE taking drugs, particularly something like steroids where there are so many side effects and so many unknowns!
You must have been taking such mammoth amounts too for asthma!
Yep, I'm getting down to it, will try soya yoghurt for a start. I'm luckier than most, I don't eat meat, love veggies, and dairy is not a big factor. Will be reporting back how I'm getting on.
Green granny

I thought soya yoghurt was OK on the regular McDougall diet but not on MWL - isn't it just soymilk with cultures in it?

Soy yogurt is okay on the regular program. I've seen it used in McDougall recipes.

Just a reminder ... not everyone follows MWL and it isn't the only way to eat McDougall-style.