Dr Garths changes?

Word travels fast. Since I was unable to attend the conference can someone fill me in on what he said about meat and not eating it but eating vegs and fruit. Why is he changing?

Basically, he has decided that being a vegetarian is the right choice for him. That 's all well and good, but I am a little uncomfortable with his complete change from protein to "you don't need protein."

I love and respect Garth, but I'm not sure about his new ideas. He cited studies about populations that live a long time, and they were all places where people eat a lot of vegetables. I don't remember any of them being completely vegetarian.

Why is he changing?

Because like "reformed" smokers, drunks, dope heads, religious fanatics or obese folks - recent vegetarian converts don't realize while their intents to extol the virtues of their new found lifestyle are understood their delivery gets irritating. More so if you disagree with his/their position(s) and I do. I like Chef Dave's saying, "If it has a mama - it's protein!"

I hit the "like" button on Don's statement!

Don,
This is the smartest thing I've read all morning. Kudos!

The patient who spoke up a the conference and questioned him changing his recommendations emailed his nurse to ask about protein requirements.

This was her (Jamie Carr) reply:  "We recommend 60-80 grams per day".  No mention of source of protein so as far as I can tell, the official recommmendations from his office have not changed.  These appear to be his personal beliefs.

Well it is a bit shocking I have to say, but I am almost eight months out and to be honest protein does get hard to digest for me at times and oh how I would love to get to eat vegs and fruit first. lol
But I have No plans to change. I have had a very hard time with many many months of being sick with an infection and seven weeks in a wound care hospital, so I sure dont need to risk a change that could make me sick. I plan to continue eating my potein first and if room vegs.

No - please don't change.  Dr. Garth did say extra protein was needed for healing and before plastic surgery and you definitely fall into the first category.

It seemed almost fantatical to me.  His presentation consisted of several slides showing diseased animals and slaughter houses as justification why we should quit eating meat and only eat fruits and vegetables.  I have known plenty of vegans that are overweight, so I really don't think that is a cure-all.

For me personally, I am not willing to have a life with no meat,so I choose to stick with what I like and what has been successful for me so far!!

Dr. G did say to keep pushing protien that first year after surgery.  I talked to him offline and basically what I got from him is that AFTER you have reached goal, he would like most people to cut down on the protiens, and eat more fruit and veg.  He thinks new studies are showing better longterm health (seperate from just wieght loss) in people who eat less ANIMAL protien and more veg & fruit.  I have some higher protien needs for other reasons, and he was fine with me staying at the 60-80 grams, but try to get more plant protien and less animal protien.  He also prefers people eat less grain-based carbs, less dairy, and less processed food or food with additives...  My take on it is that what I can incorporate into my life is good, but what I can't is better than nothing. We can't all be vegan-gluten-free-organic eating triatheletes.  I'm keeping my whey protien bars and powders, and I'm keeping egg beaters and real cheese, I will cut down on meat in favor of soy, but I'm not cutting it out. I'm reducing my grain-based carbs, but I still occationally eat my Kashi cheese crackers and Orowheat sandwich thins. Moderation in all is a good policy.  Many of us tend to think all-or-nothing in most things.  I would have liked Dr. G to have sent a memo with the new studies to his patients, but it did sound like these were very new studies, and it seems that the official Davis policy is more relaxed than Dr. G's preferences in this area.