Hello, my name is Diana.
I was introduced to WFPB about 6-7 years ago by my endocrinologist. I found it, initially, very difficult to jump right in so I approached it slowly. I didn't like a lot of any type of meat at that time anyway so that was not a huge change for me. I did have difficulty with eggs and cheese; dairy I changed easily when I discovered which flavor and brand of plant-based I liked best.
Well, I was already dealing with several health problems which seemed may be helped with a change in my dietary habits. And it did work. I reduced my A1C as my diabetes seemed to respond to this way of eating. Then I developed an autoimmune condition called Autoimmune Hepatitis. This lead to the diagnosis of cirrhosis. WOW!! I was scared. I hunkered down and got more serious about my lifestyle and diet. I was also started on a medication for my diabetes (improved but still too high) called Ozempic. This really worked for my diabetes. The down side: I have no satisfaction with eating as I get full very quick and NOTHING provides me with that sense of umami and comfort. This has continued over my years of eating WFPB. But my diabetes is great and my hepatitis/cirrhosis is VERY controlled.
My husband does not eat the same; he's a meat and potatoes type of guy. He loves hamburgers and, although has tried them, refuses to eat plant based "fake meat" as he calls it. Our community/county has very little options for healthy eating. Lots of fast foods and pizza restaurants. Many will not accommodate your preferences/requests fully. My saving grace from a restaurant stand point was Ponderosa.
Well, 2020 hit and everything fell apart. No once a week trip to Ponderosa as it closed. I am going to sound a bit whinny when I say this: I am just too tired to cook when I get home from a 10 hour shift in a medical office, I usually have 1-2 hours of work after I get home and I work about 50 hours a week. I used to love cooking. I don't anymore. I used to love hosting dinner parties. I don't anymore.
I have a very terrible diet in that I, as stated above, eat very little at a setting (due to Ozempic), have no satisfaction with eating (which tears me up as this has been a strong part of my German Mother's way of our upbringing/heritage) and I am just too overwhelmed to really care any longer.
I have bought ready made freezer type meals from Veestro (terrible!!!), have recently purchased some products from The Good Butcher but I haven't tried them yet. I even tried to find a local person who would be interested in cooking dinners for me with WFPB guidelines and no one is interested. I just don't like lettuce; I don't like a lot of different flavors that are not familiar to me like Asian and Middle Eastern type foods. I love a local restaurant's tofu with vegetable rice but they do not offer this not cooked with oil.
Am I the only one with these problems? I exist on oatmeal, crackers, fresh fruit, iced decaf coffee, soy milk and occasional pasta. Dull!!!
I would LOVE any feedback. I would LOVE to know if anyone else is on a medication like Ozempic that faces the same problems. Thank you for all your time and responses.
