A Plant-Based Diet
Discussion
About 15 years ago I switched to a strict vegan diet for personal reasons. The switch was flicked by the question, could I kill the animal I wanted to eat?
For eight months I ventured into a world of cooking and planning my food with much more thought and I genuinely enjoyed the experience overall. One day I popped in to see a mate and he was cooking bacon; it was like a crack-head relapsing. Joking aside, meat - and the meat industry - has never sat comfortably in my thoughts this is despite being a huge fan of chateaubriand and ordering it 'for one'. I love offal, and chicken wings are a particular favourite.
There are some health thoughts about eating meat too; I've high-fived my half century and despite considering myself to be reasonably fit and healthy, I do have some concerns: both my parents are [were] diabetic; I suffer with gout and acid reflux, and I can gain weight very easily (but can lose it just as quickly too). All this points to a need to watch what I eat (and drink). Yes, I do like am alcoholic beverage or two.
Something was about to tip me over, either a health scare or an awakening of some description. About 10 days ago I was channel-flicking and ended up giving The Game Changers a go. I was gripped. A lot of it made sense to me and whilst I acknowledge there's a bit more to it than what James Wilks' research, a plant-based diet suits me and makes sense to me right now.
I'm not about to start preaching about it, and I won't be banging my drum as a reformed omnivore but so far, so good. It has been over a week and my knees are less achy. I feel I have more energy and enthusiasm. I'm losing a bit of timber. That energy dump I was getting come 2pm has stopped. Overall, I'm feeling and seeing some very positive change thus far (not ruling out placebo). I'm back to forward planning meals - really thinking about what to cook - and it's saving me money.
What I find quite surprising (and encouraging) is how many people have also switched to plant-based.
For eight months I ventured into a world of cooking and planning my food with much more thought and I genuinely enjoyed the experience overall. One day I popped in to see a mate and he was cooking bacon; it was like a crack-head relapsing. Joking aside, meat - and the meat industry - has never sat comfortably in my thoughts this is despite being a huge fan of chateaubriand and ordering it 'for one'. I love offal, and chicken wings are a particular favourite.
There are some health thoughts about eating meat too; I've high-fived my half century and despite considering myself to be reasonably fit and healthy, I do have some concerns: both my parents are [were] diabetic; I suffer with gout and acid reflux, and I can gain weight very easily (but can lose it just as quickly too). All this points to a need to watch what I eat (and drink). Yes, I do like am alcoholic beverage or two.
Something was about to tip me over, either a health scare or an awakening of some description. About 10 days ago I was channel-flicking and ended up giving The Game Changers a go. I was gripped. A lot of it made sense to me and whilst I acknowledge there's a bit more to it than what James Wilks' research, a plant-based diet suits me and makes sense to me right now.
I'm not about to start preaching about it, and I won't be banging my drum as a reformed omnivore but so far, so good. It has been over a week and my knees are less achy. I feel I have more energy and enthusiasm. I'm losing a bit of timber. That energy dump I was getting come 2pm has stopped. Overall, I'm feeling and seeing some very positive change thus far (not ruling out placebo). I'm back to forward planning meals - really thinking about what to cook - and it's saving me money.
What I find quite surprising (and encouraging) is how many people have also switched to plant-based.
Glassman said:
About 15 years ago I switched to a strict vegan diet for personal reasons. The switch was flicked by the question, could I kill the animal I wanted to eat?
For eight months I ventured into a world of cooking and planning my food with much more thought and I genuinely enjoyed the experience overall. One day I popped in to see a mate and he was cooking bacon; it was like a crack-head relapsing. Joking aside, meat - and the meat industry - has never sat comfortably in my thoughts this is despite being a huge fan of chateaubriand and ordering it 'for one'. I love offal, and chicken wings are a particular favourite.
There are some health thoughts about eating meat too; I've high-fived my half century and despite considering myself to be reasonably fit and healthy, I do have some concerns: both my parents are [were] diabetic; I suffer with gout and acid reflux, and I can gain weight very easily (but can lose it just as quickly too). All this points to a need to watch what I eat (and drink). Yes, I do like am alcoholic beverage or two.
Something was about to tip me over, either a health scare or an awakening of some description. About 10 days ago I was channel-flicking and ended up giving The Game Changers a go. I was gripped. A lot of it made sense to me and whilst I acknowledge there's a bit more to it than what James Wilks' research, a plant-based diet suits me and makes sense to me right now.
I'm not about to start preaching about it, and I won't be banging my drum as a reformed omnivore but so far, so good. It has been over a week and my knees are less achy. I feel I have more energy and enthusiasm. I'm losing a bit of timber. That energy dump I was getting come 2pm has stopped. Overall, I'm feeling and seeing some very positive change thus far (not ruling out placebo). I'm back to forward planning meals - really thinking about what to cook - and it's saving me money.
What I find quite surprising (and encouraging) is how many people have also switched to plant-based.
Isn't that just what you've done here though? Good on you and great if it works for you - but you're not doing much to counter the old joke. You know, "How do you know when you meet a vegan? Easy, they'll fFor eight months I ventured into a world of cooking and planning my food with much more thought and I genuinely enjoyed the experience overall. One day I popped in to see a mate and he was cooking bacon; it was like a crack-head relapsing. Joking aside, meat - and the meat industry - has never sat comfortably in my thoughts this is despite being a huge fan of chateaubriand and ordering it 'for one'. I love offal, and chicken wings are a particular favourite.
There are some health thoughts about eating meat too; I've high-fived my half century and despite considering myself to be reasonably fit and healthy, I do have some concerns: both my parents are [were] diabetic; I suffer with gout and acid reflux, and I can gain weight very easily (but can lose it just as quickly too). All this points to a need to watch what I eat (and drink). Yes, I do like am alcoholic beverage or two.
Something was about to tip me over, either a health scare or an awakening of some description. About 10 days ago I was channel-flicking and ended up giving The Game Changers a go. I was gripped. A lot of it made sense to me and whilst I acknowledge there's a bit more to it than what James Wilks' research, a plant-based diet suits me and makes sense to me right now.
I'm not about to start preaching about it, and I won't be banging my drum as a reformed omnivore but so far, so good. It has been over a week and my knees are less achy. I feel I have more energy and enthusiasm. I'm losing a bit of timber. That energy dump I was getting come 2pm has stopped. Overall, I'm feeling and seeing some very positive change thus far (not ruling out placebo). I'm back to forward planning meals - really thinking about what to cook - and it's saving me money.
What I find quite surprising (and encouraging) is how many people have also switched to plant-based.
king tell you every five minutes"deckster said:
Glassman said:
I'm not about to start preaching about it, and I won't be banging my drum as a reformed omnivore but so far, so good.
Isn't that just what you've done here though? Good on you and great if it works for you - but you're not doing much to counter the old joke. You know, "How do you know when you meet a vegan? Easy, they'll fking tell you every five minutes"IT's becoming considerably easier than it was before and I can see more and more colleagues and friends moving to this - not all in, but a more 'fexitarian' manner.
Whilst it can save money, make you feel more healthy and clear concious, there are 'deemed' health benefits that I find difficult to believe. My FiL went ot a talk about his and he moved to a vegan lifestyle to cure his diabetes. His blood sugars are a lot better now, but I would think that this would have been possible without going 'all in'. When he comes to stay with us his daughter (my wife) cooks him vegan meals that the whole family eats (we live 500miles away, so he comes for a week). We too have some meals that are vegan, but not sure if I can even make the move from a vegetarian to fully vegan.
If it works for you (you mentioned placebo, so are aware this may be the case), then well done.
Not knocking it, and I can see how it can grate on some people - FiL knows not to bother tring to convert me!
Whilst it can save money, make you feel more healthy and clear concious, there are 'deemed' health benefits that I find difficult to believe. My FiL went ot a talk about his and he moved to a vegan lifestyle to cure his diabetes. His blood sugars are a lot better now, but I would think that this would have been possible without going 'all in'. When he comes to stay with us his daughter (my wife) cooks him vegan meals that the whole family eats (we live 500miles away, so he comes for a week). We too have some meals that are vegan, but not sure if I can even make the move from a vegetarian to fully vegan.
If it works for you (you mentioned placebo, so are aware this may be the case), then well done.
Not knocking it, and I can see how it can grate on some people - FiL knows not to bother tring to convert me!
A friend for the last 40 years or so, who'd been vegetarian all his life, had turned into (in hs own words), a couch potato. He was about 20kg overweight, a smoker, drinker and feeling old in his early 40's.
His father (also vegetarian for decades) had been taking statins to lower his blood pressure for decades. They're a very wealthy family with own chefs, etc.
so they don't eat junk.
About 8 years ago, my old friend and his father changed to vegan and at the same time, began to concentrate on whole plant diets. This meant things like no foods containing processed oils (olives instead of olive oil, etc), no bread, nothing from packages, etc. Pretty hard to do and potentially bland unless having a resourceful chef of one's own or a very understanding and tallented wife!
My friend's father stopped taking statins (& also stopped smoking). My old friend lost about 20kg over a couple of years and never put it back on, whilst running to keep fit. His energy levels increased and he began training for marathons, in order to have measurable goals. In 2016, as a new year's message to his old friends, he showed some before and after pictures over the space of 4 years. He said he now felt 20 years younger and I was amazed to see he looked like the kid I'd met decades back, whilst at school... He's been running marathons throughout the world competitively for the last 6 years or so, prior to Covid. Incredible....
Being so impressed with his evident improvement in health and energy levels, I too quit animal products almost completely & became vegan in 2016. I'm not strictly vegan, sometimes I have a bit of milk in my coffee, or eat an ice-cream now and again. I exercise daily and am in pretty good shape for someone in his early 50's; most people think I'm about 40. I take Vitamin B12 which is mainly only available from eating animal products.
Personally, I'd love to be having a whole plant diet. but I have a wife who isn't vegan (though she's barely eaten meat of fish for the 2 decades I've known her - and is slimmer & fitter than me) and two young kids who also choose not to become vegans yet.
It's just not practical to insist she cooks our evening meals as whole-plant and I'm not up for cooking my own food every night either, although I eat brown rice and Japanese fermented soy beans with hot chillies and other condiments for breakfast. Power food! Mostly we eat vegan at home, or she cooks two delicious evening meals when she has time.
I guess, as my friend has his own chef,, he can be as selective over how he wants his meals just as he likes. Me, as someone running two businesses and now starting a 3rd, I can't. If I had the choice I'd go whole plant too. If you can do it - do. There are only benefits to be gained in eating ever healthier.
As for people who diss vegans, most have no idea of the true long term health benefits,so I ignore them with a knowing smile, whilst respecting other people's choices. I too used to enjoy dairy, fish, etc. but I was finding it hard to keep my weight down and my health was showing signs of problems if I continued (such as acid reflux - which if ignored, or alkaline tablets taken with regularity, can lead to much more serious chronic illnesses. Better to drink water with apple cider vinegar..).
In the end, I decided - I love my family more than food and want to remain active and healthy for as long as I can.
Ideally, I want to outlive my wife if I can, so she doesn't live a hard life in her older years. I no longer have any desire to eat animal products. We have chickens of our own, but they're mostly for eggs for our kids and for them to learn responsibilities.
Being a vegan has to be a choice, really.
Me, I'll always stay a vegan now, with the odd milk coffee, or ice-cream when I can't get the vegan equivalent. I do notice, even though they're only very occasional, the less dairly products I consume, the better - for me, at least.
His father (also vegetarian for decades) had been taking statins to lower his blood pressure for decades. They're a very wealthy family with own chefs, etc.
so they don't eat junk.
About 8 years ago, my old friend and his father changed to vegan and at the same time, began to concentrate on whole plant diets. This meant things like no foods containing processed oils (olives instead of olive oil, etc), no bread, nothing from packages, etc. Pretty hard to do and potentially bland unless having a resourceful chef of one's own or a very understanding and tallented wife!
My friend's father stopped taking statins (& also stopped smoking). My old friend lost about 20kg over a couple of years and never put it back on, whilst running to keep fit. His energy levels increased and he began training for marathons, in order to have measurable goals. In 2016, as a new year's message to his old friends, he showed some before and after pictures over the space of 4 years. He said he now felt 20 years younger and I was amazed to see he looked like the kid I'd met decades back, whilst at school... He's been running marathons throughout the world competitively for the last 6 years or so, prior to Covid. Incredible....
Being so impressed with his evident improvement in health and energy levels, I too quit animal products almost completely & became vegan in 2016. I'm not strictly vegan, sometimes I have a bit of milk in my coffee, or eat an ice-cream now and again. I exercise daily and am in pretty good shape for someone in his early 50's; most people think I'm about 40. I take Vitamin B12 which is mainly only available from eating animal products.
Personally, I'd love to be having a whole plant diet. but I have a wife who isn't vegan (though she's barely eaten meat of fish for the 2 decades I've known her - and is slimmer & fitter than me) and two young kids who also choose not to become vegans yet.
It's just not practical to insist she cooks our evening meals as whole-plant and I'm not up for cooking my own food every night either, although I eat brown rice and Japanese fermented soy beans with hot chillies and other condiments for breakfast. Power food! Mostly we eat vegan at home, or she cooks two delicious evening meals when she has time.
I guess, as my friend has his own chef,, he can be as selective over how he wants his meals just as he likes. Me, as someone running two businesses and now starting a 3rd, I can't. If I had the choice I'd go whole plant too. If you can do it - do. There are only benefits to be gained in eating ever healthier.
As for people who diss vegans, most have no idea of the true long term health benefits,so I ignore them with a knowing smile, whilst respecting other people's choices. I too used to enjoy dairy, fish, etc. but I was finding it hard to keep my weight down and my health was showing signs of problems if I continued (such as acid reflux - which if ignored, or alkaline tablets taken with regularity, can lead to much more serious chronic illnesses. Better to drink water with apple cider vinegar..).
In the end, I decided - I love my family more than food and want to remain active and healthy for as long as I can.
Ideally, I want to outlive my wife if I can, so she doesn't live a hard life in her older years. I no longer have any desire to eat animal products. We have chickens of our own, but they're mostly for eggs for our kids and for them to learn responsibilities.
Being a vegan has to be a choice, really.
Me, I'll always stay a vegan now, with the odd milk coffee, or ice-cream when I can't get the vegan equivalent. I do notice, even though they're only very occasional, the less dairly products I consume, the better - for me, at least.
Edited by Petrolism on Tuesday 25th August 04:35
I've eaten a plant-based diet for the last couple of years - I'd ideally like to follow a strict vegan diet and I've tried but find it hard to resist real cheese on occasion as it's hard to replicate.
Why? Health problems a couple of years back that doctors couldn't get to the bottom of, that were eradicated by switching diet. I've lost a couple of stone of excess weight and feel better and have more energy. I've also taken the time to take a look into where all of my food comes from, I wasn't happy about what I discovered about the treatment of animals, and I believe plant-based is a better option for all.
I'm also very lucky that my Mrs follows the same diet and is a great cook and baker, and can create things that the most dedicated carnivore approves of.
I don't get preachy with anyone, but when I hear a meat eater shriek in disgust about their steak having blood in it, or finding a piece of bone or gristle in their sausages, I think its time for them to think about what they are eating...
Why? Health problems a couple of years back that doctors couldn't get to the bottom of, that were eradicated by switching diet. I've lost a couple of stone of excess weight and feel better and have more energy. I've also taken the time to take a look into where all of my food comes from, I wasn't happy about what I discovered about the treatment of animals, and I believe plant-based is a better option for all.
I'm also very lucky that my Mrs follows the same diet and is a great cook and baker, and can create things that the most dedicated carnivore approves of.
I don't get preachy with anyone, but when I hear a meat eater shriek in disgust about their steak having blood in it, or finding a piece of bone or gristle in their sausages, I think its time for them to think about what they are eating...
deckster said:
Isn't that just what you've done here though? Good on you and great if it works for you - but you're not doing much to counter the old joke. You know, "How do you know when you meet a vegan? Easy, they'll fking tell you every five minutes"
Is it though? Or is it just discussing what you eat? It's easy to believe the cliches, and there are a huge amount of annoying vegans that love to preach and stick it in your face, but there's also an awful lot of others who say nothing, you just don't know they exist, because, well....king tell you every five minutes"I also think most assume anyone who doesn't eat meat is out to convert them or look down at them, and in my experience you get a defensive or mocking response if you tell someone you don't eat meat.
It's one of these subjects that is hard for different sides of the viewpoint to have a sensible reasoned conversation about, and for both sides to respect the others choices.
I'm a carnivore and I've always enjoyed the taste of meat however ethically I never agreed with it and felt guilty especially with the farming/dairy practices of today.
Around two years ago I started dating a vegetarian girl which meant I was introduced to more veggie dishes which eventually led to my partaking in Veganuary. She actually didn't take part because of her love of cheese
Surprisingly I found it quite easy and definitely enjoyed the variety of vegan dishes. Started following a few vegan youtube pages and purchased a few books. My only struggle was cheese lack of cheese.
Anyway, I now eat meat but I've subconsciously reduced my intake by quite a lot as I actually enjoy eating plant-based. My only real gripe with a vegan diet is the over-processed substitutes, something I'm not too keen on but I'll eventually phase out my meat days to 1-2 times a week.
I'm currently trying to convince my parents to move to plant-based for health benefits as my dad is on the verge of diabetes but they just won't listen.
Around two years ago I started dating a vegetarian girl which meant I was introduced to more veggie dishes which eventually led to my partaking in Veganuary. She actually didn't take part because of her love of cheese
Surprisingly I found it quite easy and definitely enjoyed the variety of vegan dishes. Started following a few vegan youtube pages and purchased a few books. My only struggle was cheese lack of cheese.
Anyway, I now eat meat but I've subconsciously reduced my intake by quite a lot as I actually enjoy eating plant-based. My only real gripe with a vegan diet is the over-processed substitutes, something I'm not too keen on but I'll eventually phase out my meat days to 1-2 times a week.
I'm currently trying to convince my parents to move to plant-based for health benefits as my dad is on the verge of diabetes but they just won't listen.
There is a thread on here for those of us that are Veggie/Vegan for meals and recipes etc. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Have a look.
We (as in Mrs geeks and I) switched at the end of last year and would be referred to as "flexitarian" I still like a splash of milk in my coffee, cheese and the odd bit of fish but on the whole the animal section of our diet (meat, fish, dairy, eggs etc) make up less than 5% I would say. For some that is still too much but for us it works. Feel much better for it surprisingly, less bloated after meals, a bit more energy I guess it all adds up.
No one says you have to stick to these things like your life depends on it, if we go out for dinner (not much of an issue at the moment) and fancy a steak or something with chicken in it etc then we will have that but honestly for the most part I don't really miss meat.
Have a look.
We (as in Mrs geeks and I) switched at the end of last year and would be referred to as "flexitarian" I still like a splash of milk in my coffee, cheese and the odd bit of fish but on the whole the animal section of our diet (meat, fish, dairy, eggs etc) make up less than 5% I would say. For some that is still too much but for us it works. Feel much better for it surprisingly, less bloated after meals, a bit more energy I guess it all adds up.
No one says you have to stick to these things like your life depends on it, if we go out for dinner (not much of an issue at the moment) and fancy a steak or something with chicken in it etc then we will have that but honestly for the most part I don't really miss meat.
geeks said:
There is a thread on here for those of us that are Veggie/Vegan for meals and recipes etc. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Have a look.
We (as in Mrs geeks and I) switched at the end of last year and would be referred to as "flexitarian" I still like a splash of milk in my coffee, cheese and the odd bit of fish but on the whole the animal section of our diet (meat, fish, dairy, eggs etc) make up less than 5% I would say. For some that is still too much but for us it works. Feel much better for it surprisingly, less bloated after meals, a bit more energy I guess it all adds up.
No one says you have to stick to these things like your life depends on it, if we go out for dinner (not much of an issue at the moment) and fancy a steak or something with chicken in it etc then we will have that but honestly for the most part I don't really miss meat.
Just the same as me. I do all the cooking and my partner is vegan so I cook vegan at home 99%. Will have the fish option normally when we're out. Some people may scoff but that level of compromise works for me and I believe that I have become a much better and more imaginative cook by not basing meals around meat every day. Have a look.
We (as in Mrs geeks and I) switched at the end of last year and would be referred to as "flexitarian" I still like a splash of milk in my coffee, cheese and the odd bit of fish but on the whole the animal section of our diet (meat, fish, dairy, eggs etc) make up less than 5% I would say. For some that is still too much but for us it works. Feel much better for it surprisingly, less bloated after meals, a bit more energy I guess it all adds up.
No one says you have to stick to these things like your life depends on it, if we go out for dinner (not much of an issue at the moment) and fancy a steak or something with chicken in it etc then we will have that but honestly for the most part I don't really miss meat.
It also saves a significant amount of money on the weekly shop. I'm not a fan of fake meat (though there are some excellent fake meat burgers these days) so our diet is largely plant based. Works for us.
deckster said:
Isn't that just what you've done here though? Good on you and great if it works for you - but you're not doing much to counter the old joke. You know, "How do you know when you meet a vegan? Easy, they'll fking tell you every five minutes"
This is such an utterly bizarre response. The OP simply started a conversation. It wasn't preachy, holier than thou etc in the slightest yet the first comment is from someone who clearly irked in some way that a vegan should talk about their diet. Your prejudice is pretty clear. king tell you every five minutes"Every now and again on Facebook an advert will pop up for some kind of vegan product and the comments are all exactly the same, every single time. It is packed with meat eaters slagging off the product and slagging off vegans and vegetarians in general. Every bit as judgemental, sanctimonious or whatever as any vegan.
Your post is a great example.
scrubchub said:
I'm not a fan of fake meat (though there are some excellent fake meat burgers these days)
Fake meat feels like you're kidding yourself somewhat, but I did try a fake burger (Vivera). I won't be buying one of them again (frankly speaking if I fancy a burger I'll just have a proper one). There was also some 'vacon' and my curiosity got the better of me. Nope. Won't be buying that again. I've killed and prepped the majority of my own meat for years. Always hunted and shot so it was easy. That coupled with a distaste of some farming practices (don't buy cheap chicken or bacon) meant I shot my own food and traded some for butchers products as well.
Stopped eating meat a year ago as my oldest watched gamechangers and wanted me to give it a go for support. So far I haven't looked back.
I've given up Deer Stalking apart from for other peoples table.
I do sometimes eat fish, I have no issue with that, I never changed for any moral reasons, simply health reason, which so far have worked.
It's trendy now so it's easy to eat processed rubbish that is "plant based" but what I have found is I pay more attention to what I eat and put more effort into preparing meals.
Stopped eating meat a year ago as my oldest watched gamechangers and wanted me to give it a go for support. So far I haven't looked back.
I've given up Deer Stalking apart from for other peoples table.
I do sometimes eat fish, I have no issue with that, I never changed for any moral reasons, simply health reason, which so far have worked.
It's trendy now so it's easy to eat processed rubbish that is "plant based" but what I have found is I pay more attention to what I eat and put more effort into preparing meals.
Glassman said:
scrubchub said:
I'm not a fan of fake meat (though there are some excellent fake meat burgers these days)
Fake meat feels like you're kidding yourself somewhat, but I did try a fake burger (Vivera). I won't be buying one of them again (frankly speaking if I fancy a burger I'll just have a proper one). There was also some 'vacon' and my curiosity got the better of me. Nope. Won't be buying that again. k off.... either eat meat or don't....thebraketester said:
Glassman said:
scrubchub said:
I'm not a fan of fake meat (though there are some excellent fake meat burgers these days)
Fake meat feels like you're kidding yourself somewhat, but I did try a fake burger (Vivera). I won't be buying one of them again (frankly speaking if I fancy a burger I'll just have a proper one). There was also some 'vacon' and my curiosity got the better of me. Nope. Won't be buying that again. k off.... either eat meat or don't....Not sure why it bothers people so much, I'll buy a vegan burger or sausages to try sometimes. Some are pretty good so they become regular purchases.
Jim on the hill said:
thebraketester said:
Glassman said:
scrubchub said:
I'm not a fan of fake meat (though there are some excellent fake meat burgers these days)
Fake meat feels like you're kidding yourself somewhat, but I did try a fake burger (Vivera). I won't be buying one of them again (frankly speaking if I fancy a burger I'll just have a proper one). There was also some 'vacon' and my curiosity got the better of me. Nope. Won't be buying that again. k off.... either eat meat or don't....Not sure why it bothers people so much, I'll buy a vegan burger or sausages to try sometimes. Some are pretty good so they become regular purchases.
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