OT- frustrated and just venting about food choices

poet_kelly
on 2/8/12 6:28 am - OH
I could get enough protein from soy products, beans, nuts, etc, yeah.  It would just be difficult.

What I've done to this point is limit my protein choices to those that do not cause direct pain to animals.  For instance, the chickens I get my eggs from are treated well and no, it doesn't cause them pain to lay eggs.

But in order for the egg industry to carry on, chickens have to keep having baby chickens.  And some of those baby chickens are male and male chickens don't lay eggs, of course.  Some roosters are needed in order to breed more chickens, and sometimes the males are raised for meat, but sometimes they just kill the male baby chicks because they aren't needed.  And when I buy eggs, I am supporting that system of both raising the male chickens for food and killing the "excess" males.  And yeah, that's not really in line with my ethical beliefs.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          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.

 

lilbear412
on 2/8/12 6:30 am - MN
 I guess i feel more like Tazz but really i don't have an answer.  You have to do what you think in your heart and your gut  is right and follow that.  I would say that i am ignorant that way when it comes to animals and food.  Altho there are lots of animals i refuse to eat, veal, lamb ... i can't see killing a baby animal to eat it.  So i DO have a opinion.  lol  I would honestly say to stay on the track your on right now with your vegetarian diet while you learn about the vegan part and write a book about it for others.  lol Good luck on your decision and i am sure whatever that decision is it will be the right one for you!!  

Laurie says:  Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind  ~~~ dr. suess

                
april89love
on 2/8/12 6:57 am - NC
I understand your frustration. We have friends that are vegan and they eat a lot of food!!! It is amazing what they eat to maintain their skinny weight. It would take a lot of work to maintain your protein levels with the amount of intake you have.

 Sandy

HW 225, SW 219, GW 140, CW 124

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!  
    

FleurDeLis
on 2/8/12 7:18 am
After my heart attack I developed a real fear of cholesterol. I want to avoid meat products for that reason. I know that on average we only get 20% of our cholesterol from food and the liver makes the rest. Even on statins and with BP, diabetes etc. controlled I still had the heart attack.
The three dieticians I consulted with on this issue were divided. The inexperienced one was absolutely against a vegan or vegetarian diet because of the difficulty of getting the protein in. The other two couldn't recommend it totally, but did point out that I could supplement with protein powder by sprinkling some of it on foods and drink.
poet_kelly
on 2/8/12 8:01 am - OH
You can supplement with protein powder but there are a limit number of vegan protein powders available.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          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.

 

Jennifer M.
on 2/8/12 7:33 am - MN
RNY on 02/17/12
I think I get it. I would really prefer that our farm system was more humane. I hope you find the answer, because although I can forget what I know during the 30 minutes it takes to eat my dinner, I don't expect you to. There's a lot of misinformation in the vegetarian world about health requirements... and I can imagine that many of them have no clue what it's like to be you.
Kelly L.
on 2/8/12 7:47 am - San Jacinto, CA
 I am a meat eater.. who loves animals. I also forego veal,lamb and venison products. It does bother me to think of any animal being treated in an inhumane way however... human beings are omnivores. We need some of the products that come from animals. My solution is that you find a balance between what your body MUST have and what your heart will allow you to use. If it means that you can't go fully vegan then at least you have a very justifiable reason for not converting completly. As with all things in life there has to be balance. I really applaud the stand you have chosen. It's not for me but I know it's a worthwhile decision. Let us know where you land on the issue. 
Have you spoken to a NUT about your needs/vegan lifestyle?

     

 
  HW 274. CW 129

    
poet_kelly
on 2/8/12 8:04 am - OH
Here is where I get stuck.  Do I need some of the products that come from animals?  Or do I just want them?  Eating animal products makes my life easier.  I'd rather be able to add yogurt (and I don't like soy yogurt, plus it's very low in protein) and cheese to my diet instead of eating a cup of beans for at least a couple meals a day.  But does that mean I need the yogurt and cheese?  Or that I just get tired of beans so I'd rather have the yogurt and cheese?  And if I just get tired of eating beans, well, is that a good reason to support the mistreatment of animals?  'Cause I'm think that's not such a good reason.

I have not spoken with a dietician about a vegan diet for me.  I probably should, supposing I can find one that is knowledgable about both RNY and veganism.  I suspect it may be hard to find one that is, but it would most likely be worth a try.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          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.

 

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version

on 2/8/12 8:02 am - OH
I have nothing to offer in the way of solutions or suggestions since I get half of my weekly protein from dairy sources and filet mignon, but I am really surprised (and saddened) that you are not getting more support from the vegan community.  I would think they would be supportive of people knowing what their own body needs and finding healthy, morally acceptable ways of meeting those needs...  

I am also not sure why people would argue with you about posted nutrition info, but stranger things have happened.

Hang in there, and continue to be tenacious in your search for information.  I think that eventually you will find what you need.

Lora

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

poet_kelly
on 2/8/12 8:06 am - OH
Yeah, I would have expected more support, too. 

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          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.

 

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