Hi to all! So happy to be finally getting on the McDougall boards!
My husband & I went plant-based about 2 yrs ago now, tho both of us have been vegan in our past..(it was just plain vegetarian back then.) I had been advised by various practitioners in the past to "eat more protein" or that I was wheat sensitive. I was also prescribed oils... 3 Tbsp daily of olive oil, or coconut oil, or drink oil & lemon J. first thing and wait 5 hours to eat to 'cleanse my gall bladder.' Hmm. If only I knew then what I do know now!
I've had a life of some health issues. Big allergies since young. Lots of chronic digestive issues, constipation, bloating, skin break outs, + traveler's bugs every time I went to Mexico or Central America. Some pretty bad.
I was always active, and have always loved greens, veg, fruit. In fact loved whole grains, beans, and all that good stuff since first trying it in high school at a local veg. rest. in Chgo~The Heartland Cafe. It was all new to me, as I was raised by standard midwest fare, w/ little of variety still offered at grocery stores.
Over the years, things changed. I ended up reaching my all time highest weight about 3 -4 yrs ago while doing the paleo diet for a yr. It seemed once I had red meat, I seemed to need more and more to feel satisfied. The hypoglycemia I experienced for many years seemed temporarily relieved by eating more meat and fat, to which I now understand was just masking the problems. But, nearing 50, which I now am, and being 'petite' I was getting uncomfortably sluggish and stiff, and had a lot of cellulite which was new since I used to once be very physically active.
The alarms went off for my husband & I when my breasts became unbearably tender, lumpy, and even fatty. They grew! Who knew that would not thrill me!! LOL My husband had seen this pattern w/ his ex-wife. He also had potential prostate issues, as does his dad. My husband followed by McDougall many years back, so we immediately pulled out his old copy of the McDougall Plan, and changed our diet over night. I thought I was 'carb sensitive.' Now I'm a born again carboholic, and proud!
In 3 months, the breasts healed, completely, back to normal size, no lumps or tenderness. Cholesterol is below 150, actually near 100! And I lost over 20# which for me is 1/5th my body weight! I feel great. But, there is more.
We went raw, or high raw the last year, eating fruitarian diet. After some time, weight creeped back on. Not what it was, but still, 8-10# more again. I was eating and eating, more than I ever had, 2000+ calories per day, but often felt hungry. Eating a big salad at the end of the day didn't digest well, so sleep often bad too. Skin break outs back, and believe it or not the breast tenderness!
Switched back to adding beans daily, always had been eating potatoes/pasta at night. But now having a little fruit in morning, then in the evening after having had lots of veggies, greens, beans, oats, etc. I am now the most 'regular' I have been in my life, and feel very satisfied on much less. Breasts still healing again, and the weight starting to once again reverse. This change is recent, but my moods, mental focus, and happiness eating cooked starches & lots of produce is off the charts. I agree w/ McDougall in a video I saw that fruits are simple sugars, and while many love the fruitarian lifestyle, I have observed many add cooked starches back to make it work.
I don't believe it has to be all raw to be healthy. Beans and legumes and potatoes have many health benefits.
BTW, my husband's ex, who became identified w/ her professional/personal life as a cooking coach who teaches paleo eating, despite eating lots of veggies, ended up w/ breast cancer. She was vegan and macrobiotic prior, but eating high protein and yogurt and coconut oils++ for 10 years. Just adding this as a warning. I believe both my husband & I could have been looking at a cancer diagnosis down the line, if we hadn't made the switch!
So grateful for my love of plants, and for all the plant-based docs. I went from being a Food Network groupie to a plant-based doc fan. I have an e-book due out soon as well, "Make Every Bite Count" filled w/ photos and recipes.
I look forward to the exchanges here at the forum