I was given a list of the following questions to answer as to why a plant based diet may trump a meat/dairy based one. Morally, I don’t like pushing anyone in any particular direction when it comes to food. Therapeutically, I 100% believe foregoing Dairy, Meat & Gluten support our bodies in healing, improved digestion, clearer skin and more energy – but hey that’s just me and 20 + years of observation! You do you boo.
Why am I giving up eggs?
eggs are difficult on digestion, inflammatory and high in fat. While moderately high in protein, they’re high in cholesterol and saturated fat. A 2021 study found that the addition of half an egg per day was associated with more deaths from heart disease, cancer, and all causes. Higher blood cholesterol levels and higher intakes of dietary cholesterol were also associated with an elevated risk of death from heart disease. These findings support limiting dietary cholesterol intake for improved heart health.
Why am I giving up all dairy (most of us think nonfat greek yogurt is good for you).
dairy is inflammatory and full of hormones. Dairy also causes mucus build up. Research shows that dairy products have little or no benefit for bone health. According to an analysis published in the British Medical Journal, most studies fail to show any link between dairy intake and broken bones, or fractures. In one study, researchers tracked the diets, exercise, and stress fracture rates of adolescent girls and concluded that dairy products and calcium do not prevent stress fractures. Additionally, dairy is high in cholesterol and saturated fat.
What about fish and lean meats?
up to u, fish and meat contain protein and that’s about it. Zero fiber. I can get adequate protein eating plants that also include a lot of fiber so I think plants take the cake. Fiber is king. Additionally, 40% of salmon is fat and that 70 to 80% of that fat is not good for us. Most of the fat in fish is not omega-3’s.
Why is fake dairy good for me (a heavily processed food, that in the case of vegan cheese for example tastes terrible!)?
fake dairy is simply an alternative, not a health food. For those who like the taste and texture of cheese can opt for vegan versions that act in a similar way (and I’d imagine eat a helluva lot less of it considering it doesn’t have heroin- like properties) and consume several hundred less calories resulting in weight loss.
Isn’t it full of soy and doesn’t soy and all those vegan chemicals in fake cheese/meat etc. cause cancer?
omg no. Dairy and meat are linked to cancer. Soy is replete with phytoestrogens and proliferate good gut bacteria which in turn improve overall health. Researchers found an increase in cancer risk was associated with higher intakes of sugar—particularly in the form of added sugars and sugars from dairy products. These include fluid milk, coffee creamer, cheese, butter, cream cheese, ice cream, and other common dairy items. A new study claims that women who drink cows’ milk could increase their risk of developing breast cancer by up to 80 percent compared to women who drink soy milk. Unbiased by either soy or dairy industry funding, this research was commissioned by the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health and the World Cancer Research Fund.
In summary what do you suggest I eat?
⇢Potatoes – white and sweet. Boiled, Steamed, Baked, Roasted & Air Fried.
⇢Rice and Oatmeal
⇢Beans & Lentils, Tofu & Tempeh if you can tolerate them + Beyond Meat & Impossible Meat (meat alternatives) Beyond Meat doesn’t contain soy and I find it totally delicious. There are burgers and sausages as well as meatballs in the frozen section at Whole Foods and Costco. I don’t consume a lot of beans but I’ll make lentil pasta and add beans to soup, stews etc and make delicious bean dips and purees. I avoid Seitan which is made from vital wheat gluten because it causes my skin to break out
⇢Vegetables
⇢Fruit
⇢Nut/Seed milks and Dairy alternatives to ice cream, cheese and cream. There is a non-dairy version for just about everything on the market these days from your favorite frozen desserts to dressings
⇢Nuts and Seeds in moderation (they’re a super concentrated form of fat and in high quantities can cause digestive discomfort, in moderation they add flavor and added nutrients)
⇢Oils in moderation – I opt for low or no added oil except in the case of some dressings and sauces
⇢Coffee & Tea
⇢Sweeteners: Honey, Maple Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Coconut Sugar, Dates and Date Syrup
⇢Alternatives: JustEgg makes a plant based egg product that is delicious, Ciao Field Roast Vegan Cheese is my favorite, Acai Sorbet or Oatly Ice Cream, Daiya Frozen Pizzas
What does this look like:
Gluten Free Vegan Pizza, Stir Fries, Air Fried potatoes, Green Drinks, Smoothies, Nice Cream (banana and frozen fruit based ice cream), Rice Noodles or Lentil Pasta (also Chickpea Pasta like Banza is good) + Marinara with extra veggies, Oat Pancakes, Pesto & Delicious sauces, Massive Salads and MORE.
Need Ideas? Here are some very helpful links I offer:
My Therapeutic Eating Cookbook and Guide
My Therapeutic Eating Simple Reset Guide
Work with me 1:1 to deepen, transform and overhaul your relationship to food and your body
