OT- frustrated and just venting about food choices
OK, most of you probably know I've been going back and forth about transitioning to a vegan diet for several months now. I think the bottom line is that I think it would be a good thing to do but seems too difficult or inconvenient for me to do it right now. I certainly think it's possible for post ops to get enough protein and stuff on a vegan diet, and maybe it would not seem so difficult to everyone, but it does to me.
But as I've been thinking over my decision, I've been posting on a couple vegan message boards and also talking to a vegan friend. And here is where I'm frustrated.
1. People keep telling me that most people get more protein than they need (which may be true) and that I don't need as much protein as I think I do (which is not true). I know exactly how much protein I need because I get my total protein, albumin and prealbumin levels checked every six months. I know exactly how much protein I need in order to keep those levels healthy, and it's 70 to 90 grams a day (more often closer to 90). I don't just think that, I know that. Yes, it's more than people that haven't had RNY need. But it's what I need. So telling me I don't need as much protein as I think I do is not helping me. Showing me easy ways to get that much protein without any animal products is what would be heplful.
2. Soy milk, soy yogurt and soy cheese does not have as much or more calcium than cow's milk and yogurt and cheese made from cow's milk. Some brands are close. Some are much lower. I don't know why people keep telling me soy products have as much or more protein than cow's milk products because all you have to do is read the label so see that they do not. I know how to read labels and compare numbers to see which is bigger.
3. I think people are also not understanding that because of my RNY, I can only eat small portions at a time. I can eat about a cup of food at a time. If I was eating three cups of food per meal, for instance, it would be easier to get enough protein from beans. But I cannot eat that much. That means it's a lot easier to get enough protein if I eat protein-dense foods - which are mostly animal products.
4. And then there is vitamin D. I take 50,000 IU D3 three to four times a week and I need that much to keep my level good. Again, I know this because I get labs done every six months. It's not what I think I need, it's what I know that I need. Well, most D3 supplements are made from sheep. They are not vegan. Vegan options would be to take a much lower dose of D3 (and I don't really see myself taking ten or more pills three or four days a week) or to take D2 (which we know is not absorbed well and I'd have to take a whole lot of it to be able to get enough vitamin D). And people are telling me I don't need as much vitamin D as I think I do and I could get enough just by spending more time in the sun, etc. That may be true of some people, it's not true for me. I don't just think that, I know it.
So no one is really offering me any solutions or helping me come up with workable solutions, they're just telling me I don't need as much protein or vitamin D as I think (basically, that I don't know what I'm talking about). At this point I am thinking I just will not discuss this issue with my vegan friend anymore because it's just frustrating me so much.
OK, now I'm done. Thanks if anyone bothered to read this whole thing.
But as I've been thinking over my decision, I've been posting on a couple vegan message boards and also talking to a vegan friend. And here is where I'm frustrated.
1. People keep telling me that most people get more protein than they need (which may be true) and that I don't need as much protein as I think I do (which is not true). I know exactly how much protein I need because I get my total protein, albumin and prealbumin levels checked every six months. I know exactly how much protein I need in order to keep those levels healthy, and it's 70 to 90 grams a day (more often closer to 90). I don't just think that, I know that. Yes, it's more than people that haven't had RNY need. But it's what I need. So telling me I don't need as much protein as I think I do is not helping me. Showing me easy ways to get that much protein without any animal products is what would be heplful.
2. Soy milk, soy yogurt and soy cheese does not have as much or more calcium than cow's milk and yogurt and cheese made from cow's milk. Some brands are close. Some are much lower. I don't know why people keep telling me soy products have as much or more protein than cow's milk products because all you have to do is read the label so see that they do not. I know how to read labels and compare numbers to see which is bigger.
3. I think people are also not understanding that because of my RNY, I can only eat small portions at a time. I can eat about a cup of food at a time. If I was eating three cups of food per meal, for instance, it would be easier to get enough protein from beans. But I cannot eat that much. That means it's a lot easier to get enough protein if I eat protein-dense foods - which are mostly animal products.
4. And then there is vitamin D. I take 50,000 IU D3 three to four times a week and I need that much to keep my level good. Again, I know this because I get labs done every six months. It's not what I think I need, it's what I know that I need. Well, most D3 supplements are made from sheep. They are not vegan. Vegan options would be to take a much lower dose of D3 (and I don't really see myself taking ten or more pills three or four days a week) or to take D2 (which we know is not absorbed well and I'd have to take a whole lot of it to be able to get enough vitamin D). And people are telling me I don't need as much vitamin D as I think I do and I could get enough just by spending more time in the sun, etc. That may be true of some people, it's not true for me. I don't just think that, I know it.
So no one is really offering me any solutions or helping me come up with workable solutions, they're just telling me I don't need as much protein or vitamin D as I think (basically, that I don't know what I'm talking about). At this point I am thinking I just will not discuss this issue with my vegan friend anymore because it's just frustrating me so much.
OK, now I'm done. Thanks if anyone bothered to read this whole thing.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
don't know about the vegan thing as I think it is totally whacked but.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SOY MILK!
Milk requires nipples and soy beans don't have nipples. The reason they call it soy milk is because people wouldn't drink Soy Juice.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SOY MILK!
Milk requires nipples and soy beans don't have nipples. The reason they call it soy milk is because people wouldn't drink Soy Juice.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Well, I'm calling it soy milk because that is what most people call it. I'd drink it whether it was called soy milk or soy juice.
I don't think there is anything whacked about wanting to make food choices that are kind to all living creatures.
I don't think there is anything whacked about wanting to make food choices that are kind to all living creatures.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Hi Kelly,
I don't have any insight to offer but just wanted to say that I'm sorry the other boards aren't being helpful and understanding. Have you tried reading and vegan blogs to see what they offer in high protein meals? Also, how much protein is in a soy or hemp based protein powder? Please be careful with the amount of soy you consume.
Good luck with whichever decision you make.....you know you'll find lots of love and support here!
I don't have any insight to offer but just wanted to say that I'm sorry the other boards aren't being helpful and understanding. Have you tried reading and vegan blogs to see what they offer in high protein meals? Also, how much protein is in a soy or hemp based protein powder? Please be careful with the amount of soy you consume.
Good luck with whichever decision you make.....you know you'll find lots of love and support here!
Yeah, the issue of whether or not too much soy is bad for you is another concern. However, in societies where people eat large amounts of soy, like Asian countries, people are much, much healthier than the typical American is. So while there may be some health issues with eating large amounts of soy, I think those issues are much less than health issues involved with eating large amounts of animal products.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Asian do not eat a lot of soy. They eat some fish. But they use say as condiments only. I work with asian people, have asian friends, and been there so many times.
They eat soy - very little daily. But the also use a lot of fish and seewead. Seewead has a lot of iodine - and that helps to offset the soy. Mostly - they use fermented soy if they use it daily: miso or thempet. Old women use some tofu - to help with hormonal issues.
Soy milk and soy proteins is modern, chemically changed product - made from soy.
They eat soy - very little daily. But the also use a lot of fish and seewead. Seewead has a lot of iodine - and that helps to offset the soy. Mostly - they use fermented soy if they use it daily: miso or thempet. Old women use some tofu - to help with hormonal issues.
Soy milk and soy proteins is modern, chemically changed product - made from soy.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
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