vegan?

Hi. I had RnY surgery July 2008, and my diabetes never improved. I'm back on medication (Janumet, Lantus and Novolog) and am having nasty neuropathy in my feet, lower legs and hands.

I was flipping through channels recently and caught a blip of a doctor talking about how to reverse diabetes. He says a vegan diet will do it. If it doesn't reverse it, it will at least help. He says the way to eat is 100% vegan, very low fat, and low GI.

I can't imagine not eating meat, dairy or eggs, but at this point, I need to try something new, because the status quo isn't working. Has anyone tried to eat vegan after having GBP? I'm really worried that I won't be able to get enough protein, especially since I loathe beans and am not crazy about consuming lots of soy.

I'm open to any and all opinions!

Thank you,

Melissa

Going to have to look into some vegan recipies for sure.  There is TVP textured vegetable protein.  that can be added to stuff. spinach has some protein in it. 2grms but its something.  Good ole protein shakes - but you can't just live on them. 

Sorry about the diabetes, the pancreas just might of never been able to recover after years of struggle. (I'm guessing years if you have neuropathy)  Are you a type 1 or type 2.  I'm type 1 - and will always have issues with D.  Type 1 - insulin dependant can never be reversed, but improved.  Type 2 is a different diabeastie all together. If you need medication - then I hope that what they have you on is keeping your numbers were they need to be so that you can feel your best.

Best thing to do is talk to your nutritionist for help. Definitely eating low GI will help.   If your kidneys are compromised you don't want to over tax them with too much protein.  (Have that checked out)  You want to be with in the right limits your body needs - and it may be different.

Now if you had exprienced regain (don't know if you did or not) But just a 5% to 8% drop in weight can make a difference in the level of medications required for treatment (esp if type 2)

Mishelle - Hi. I wrote a reply a few days ago, but I must have done something wrong, because I don't see it.

My vegan diet lasted a little over one day.  ;)

My blood sugar sure dropped, but the best I could do was 36 grams of protein that day. So, the next day for lunch, I added Greek yogurt back into my diet.

I'm not sure why we have to keep eating so much protein, since I've been told that although we continue to malabsorb vitamins, we eventually lose the malabsorption of food. Regardless, a vegan diet is just so restrictive. I did remain vegetarian for 5 days, but today was my uncle's birthday, and I ordered fish at the restaurant we went to for the celebration. I got a couple small bites down, and my RnY came back to tell me no. Dang, I got so sick. I've had problems with meat ever since surgery, so maybe I'll stick to Greek yogurt and protein shakes. :)

Melissa

Well search for foods that are high in protein then. Edamane (sp) TVP - never tried it but folks use it in their cooking. (textured vegetable protein)  Even spinach leaves have protein in them.  Beans- beans -

The reason behind heading protein is that it is more filling, sticks with us longer. And if we feel full longer, then we won't want to eat as much.  Also its improtant for muscles - and our heart is a muscle one you don't want to loose strength in.  The malabsorbtion is only for the first year really, then yup we do regain it back. We don't eat enough to really get all the vitamins in to keep us healthy.

A friend of mine went vegan for 9 weeks, and her body finally told her NO way - she had to include more protein. She isn't a wls patient just D.

make sure if you tempt the meat fates again that it is MOIST - have something with it, or even a drop or two of water.  Maybe that might help.  Good luck

 My diabetes actually got worse while I was eating a Vegan diet.  Most Vegan diets are very high in carbs which always effect my blood sugar in a bad way.  

You should consult a dietitian teamed up with your surgeon to discuss about your diet. Best way is share in making decisions.

I had the VSG. When I eat vegan my blood sugars are great but it is a very hard diet to maintain. I stick with vegetarian and get the same results.
I eat eggs about 3 times a week, lots of greek yogurt, tofu, spinach, salads and also berries 1/2 cup. I also buy light baby bel cheese. Rarely eat carbs.

I do not know how it would work for you since you have an RNY. Since I started to eat this way, i feel better and my A1C has dropped so has cholesterol. If you go the vegan or vegetarian route you have to plan your meals in advanced otherwise one can tends to over eat on carbs. Best of luck to you

 hello Melissa,

I have read close to a hundred books doing my healthy food research, mostly written by doctors who have ventured into the nutritional path.Proper vegan diet does help with diabetes, and I have seen a lot of proof to this point. Instead of 'vegan' though I would call it plant based whole foods, because, as someone mentioned in her response, vegan diet allows simple sugar. I have seen some newly converted  vegans not feeling that great on the diet of vegan cupcakes.  On the whole food diet, you eat complex carbs that release into the bloodstream slowly and don't cause insulin spikes.

Dr. Ornish, a famous Dr *****searches heart disease reversal with whole foods plant based diet, said that,  counterproductive to popular opinion, people who take drastic measures and make significant changes to their diet, actually stick to the diet. Why? They feel improvement within 2 weeks, and they choose to continue feeling well. Dr. Ornish doesn't  require that you eliminate ALL fish, meat, eggs, he advocates for everyone to find her position within the Spectrum of options - a lifestyle that you can sustain. For example, I have eliminated  meat, fish, eggs from my diet, and after a rough adjustment, I feel great. However, I eat them from time to time, but the are probably not more than 5-10% of my diet.

Check some of the names I highly recommend here:   www.choose-healthy-food.com/healthy-food-links.html
Read The China study. This book is priceless in education and motivation. It really puts all pieces togehter
Dr. Ornish's The Spectrum diet and Eat more, weight less
Check Brenda Davis'es and Vesanto Melina's website, and book "Becoming vegan" - both of them are highly acclaimed dietitians, who are also vegan. They explain impacts of the diet on people with various life situations and health issues. 

High protein
Check my high protein vegetarian/vegan recipes here www.choose-healthy-food.com/high-protein-recipes.html and simple example of weight loss plan : www.choose-healthy-food.com/vegetarian-weight-loss-plan.html

Hope this helps,
I am not a diabetes specialist, so go to the source - but to the right source :) 
Cheers,
Olga

Hello!! 

I had diabetes but that was solved with my surgery! I know unfair but! I then began a vegan regiment and delicious diet and have found a lot of happiness and fulfillment in my food.  I find eating a proper vegan diet of fruits, vegetables, and proteins has made me pay even closer attention to making my bypass work.  I hope that even if you don't go completely vegan you do it the right way and find some recipes that stick with you for life! <3

Vegan of six months and going strong!