Already a vegan, but new to this diet...

Vegan89 · **Joined:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:43 pm **Posts:** 3

I have been struggling with my health for a while now. I have been vegan for five years and have taken no medication for three years (with the exception of vegan St.John's wort for a very brief period). However, I am 22 and whilst I suffer from no really terrible conditions, I am and have been most of my life significantly overweight. I have faith in this diet (as a lifestyle rather than miracle weight loss plan) as I have been vegan five years and when I started, I lost around four stone within under a year (56lbs). It makes sense to me now that what has made me gain it all back (well, not quite all but close enough) is that I have just replaced the old foods with new alternatives. I went vegan on ethical reasons alone as I came to see the meat and dairy industries for what they were, and I didn't find this hard whatsoever. But all I did was change over foods and I now realise that must be behind the re-gaining of the weight as when I lost it the first time around, I honestly did NO excercise to achieve this. Now I'm emptying the fridge of my 'animal-derived' alternatives, and there are so many grey areas. Can I eat white pasta and rice and still lose weight, as I don't particularly like wholewheat pasta and brown rice? Is Agave good or bad? How can I flesh my diet out with very simple ingredients of relatively low-cost whilst retaining a lot of choice/meal ideas? Can I eat large portions as this is what I am used to? And are spices and herbs bad and how much salt and sugar can I have as it's in everything, even tinned foods? I am very new to this. I have been taking a walk every night and eating lots more fruit, but I have only discovered this diet in the past two days, after listening to DurianRider (the Raw-vegan) for a few weeks and finally realising if I cannot do raw, this is the way to go...Any help would be greatly appreciated. (Also, are pure fruit juices okay?)

pinkrose · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:57 pm

Welcome aboard, Vegan89!

You can find many answers to your questions at these two sites:

http://www.drmcdougall.com/free.html

http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/pdf/pdfmc050100nl.pdf

The first is in regard to the regular program/diet and the second is in regard to the maximum weight loss (MWL) program. The main difference is that you will not eat refined carbs (pasta, bread etc.) if you follow the MWL program. Avoid juice. Enjoy whole fruits--up to two pieces/day on the MWL program.

I am a happy customer! You can see my story here:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26307

I usually eat only unrefined veggies and starches and I am very happy with the results! :nod:

Please study the great resources here, plan well, execute your plan and keep us posted on your progress! :-D

Vegan89 · **Joined:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:43 pm **Posts:** 3

Hi Pinkrose and thank you for replying. I have a few questions about what you have said. Firstly, is there a particular reason juice is to be avoided (I've just stocked up on it and haven't been drinking anything fizzy now for three weeks) and what else can I have if not juice, besides water? Sounds silly but I really don't like water very much and I find it hard to enjoy a meal if I have to stick purely to water (as I always like something to drink with my food). Secondly, does the first plan (which I shall look at now, thank you and then the second one) help with weight loss, but at a slower rate? I really want something I can stick to, if I'm honest and as I dislike wholewheat pasta and brown rice, I'd find it hard to eat them all the time. Also, why only two pieces of fruits? I find fruits, especially bananas in large quantities provide me with lots of energy which surely is a good thing?

One last question,...I have been reading recipes and have found that soy milk is included in some of them, and have been reading that some people are still including it in their diets...is it okay to use if I cut all the other vegan substitutes out, as I find I really enjoy a bowl of oats with soy milk, strawberries and agave as a cereal? Thank you so much for your help and advice and I have just read your story, and find it very motivating. It's good to know that other people have achieved their goals

veggylvr · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 5:10 pm

Wecome vegan89. I believe Dr. McDougall says white rice is ok, but I don't think white pasta would be. Is there any other grain you enjoy - quinoa, barley? You can put veggies and starches over any whole grain. I like whole grain cous cous.

Fruit is limited on the maximum weight loss plan because it's a simple sugar and so not ideal for weight loss, but a lot of people (myself included) tailor the diet to our WOE and mix elements of both plans. You may lose slower if you still eat fruit, but if it's satisfying and allows you to stick with it, then it's ok. But I'm not sure about fruit juice, as it has much less fiber.

pinkrose · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 5:11 pm

Vegan89 wrote:

Hi Pinkrose and thank you for replying. I have a few questions about what you have said. Firstly, is there a particular reason juice is to be avoided (I've just stocked up on it and haven't been drinking anything fizzy now for three weeks) and what else can I have if not juice, besides water? Sounds silly but I really don't like water very much and I find it hard to enjoy a meal if I have to stick purely to water (as I always like something to drink with my food). Secondly, does the first plan (which I shall look at now, thank you and then the second one) help with weight loss, but at a slower rate? I really want something I can stick to, if I'm honest and as I dislike wholewheat pasta and brown rice, I'd find it hard to eat them all the time. Also, why only two pieces of fruits? I find fruits, especially bananas in large quantities provide me with lots of energy which surely is a good thing?

One last question,...I have been reading recipes and have found that soy milk is included in some of them, and have been reading that some people are still including it in their diets...is it okay to use if I cut all the other vegan substitutes out, as I find I really enjoy a bowl of oats with soy milk, strawberries and agave as a cereal? Thank you so much for your help and advice and I have just read your story, and find it very motivating. It's good to know that other people have achieved their goals

Regarding fruit, it is limited to three pieces/day on the regular program. Keep in mind that Dr. McDougall advocates a starch based diet--getting most of your fuel from starches. If you get most of your calories from fruits and fructose, you are not on a starch based diet! Also, fruits can increase triglycerides. It is easy to eat too many of them as you seem to know!

Juices are refined products, providing concentrated calories without all of the fiber and satiation you will get from whole fruits. You may find that with foods that are largely composed of water--especially soups--that you will not feel like drinking much with meals.

Take some time to study and digest the details of the program. You probably have access to many veggies and starches. Find some that you like and stick with them.

Yes, the MWL helps one to reduce weight faster.

If you are serious about weight loss/management, avoiding all of the refined foods will help and this, for me, is reason enough to avoid some of the items you mentioned. If you choose to eat the refined foods, you may also find it is difficult to control such eating and to get good control of your weight.

Minor changes will not produce major benefits! :nod:

Vegan89 · **Joined:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:43 pm **Posts:** 3

Thank you both for the responses. I guess I have a lot to think about and to plan! Firstly, it's ditching the bad foods. I plan to eliminate all my meat and dairy alternatives (the 'cheeses', 'mayo', 'fake meats) with the possible exception of some very low fat soy-mince and low fat rice or soy milk if the diet allows as I progress with it. I plan to make this a lifestyle change rather than diet change, and this is why I am so hesitant to jump in the deep-end (although on saying that I did go overnight into veganism and haven't ever strayed). I feel in order to stick at it, however, the exclusion of all my 'fake' goods will be a great start. But I fully intend to take on board what you have both said and think hard about the changes to my diet. Thank you very much for the suggestions, they are very helpful.

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