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Original poster

Plant based diets?

52 replies

DoorKnobber · 10/05/2020 17:59

I’ve put this in chat as I wasn’t sure where else... as it crosses though weight loss, healthy eating and exercise. So, sorry in advance if you take offence.

I just wanted to ask whether there is anyone on a plant based diet and what benefits, or pitfalls, they’ve found?

I watched ‘The Game Changers’ last night, and as a runner and occasional mountain bike racer I would really really like to give it a go... today was day one and was pretty successful! (Although it’s only 6pm 🙈)

I saw the benefits shown on the documentary but would also love to hear some non bias, real life experiences.

Thanks!

OP posts:
oohnicevase · 10/05/2020 18:57

I'm a 'plant based eater ' aka vegan .. no disadvantages as far as I can see .. there are soooo many options of food and lovely tasting combinations it's really not difficult to not eat animals .

Original poster
DoorKnobber · 10/05/2020 19:59

Thanks @oohnicevase. I’m not interested in eating ‘vegan’ foods as in replacements such as tofu, quorn etc. I’d like to stay as natural as possible and would love to hear the benefits of this.

OP posts:
NinetySixer · 10/05/2020 20:03

I went plant based a few years back. I massively struggled. I’m educated and can cook very well. But I found it draining. Not only was it work to make sure I was eating a balanced diet I had absolutely no energy and felt lethargic all the time. On top of that it was really hard to maintain if not at home and I travel for work. On the other hand my sister is fully plant based and loves it and had loads of energy. I think it’s down to whether it suits you body and lifestyle.

I also tried to go back to it when I watched game changers but had the same lethargy and had a noticeable drop in my performance.

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oohnicevase · 10/05/2020 20:32

Well I do mostly just eat veg but I have a family so have to make meals too.. I'd be more than happy to eat veg soup or veg mummy special as it's called in my house .. good luck .

oohnicevase · 10/05/2020 20:32

Jamie's veg recipe book is great .. there is a mushroom kebab dish in there which is amazing !

LongPauseNoReply · 10/05/2020 20:35

Research Game Changers debunked.

Afternooninthepark · 10/05/2020 20:39

I would absolutely love to go plant-based but as an IBS sufferer it rips my guts to shreds. The only thing I can eat comfortably is tofu which, no matter how I cook it, tastes rank. I love beans/pulses etc but sadly they are a no go for me. Gutted as I have watched Game Changers too and follow loads of vegans on social media and the recipes look delicious.

LST · 10/05/2020 20:55

I'm vegan. Have been for 5 years and was vegetarian before that. There are no downsides to it imho apart from having the same options when you eat out.. but that is getting so much better now. There are so so many options in the supermarkets now. There is just no need to eat animal products.. and before anyone jumps on me for that comment, I live with my DP and 2 DCs who aren't vegan. But are aware of why and make their own choices.

LST · 10/05/2020 20:56

(That was meant to say 'aware of why I am')

CharlieTangoBanana · 10/05/2020 20:59

I've been plant based for almost a year, did it for environmental and health reasons. I love it, feel better, more energy, shiny hair, stronger nails and ultimately happier for it. I found it really helpful to plan a weeks meals at a time and to have quick things handy to snack on.
I'm much more aware of what I'm putting into my body and I've not encountered problems eating out, I've not been into a restaurant yet where they couldn't rustle up a salad or a plate of vegetables which while it isn't a perfectly balanced meal for a meal out I'm comfortable with that.
I do a lot of entertaining and have dished up vegan dinner parties, lunches and buffets and nobody hasn't wanted to come again.

Original poster
DoorKnobber · 10/05/2020 22:35

Fab! Thanks 😊

I’ll look in to debunked, cheers

OP posts:
Original poster
DoorKnobber · 11/05/2020 08:14

I’ve had a good read of some of the debunking articles. Thank you.

But it’s not enough to stop me wanting to eat plant based as it still seems to be the healthier option. It has given me insight though on how I can better supplement my diet as a runner and cyclist. Such as using protein shakes... which I already do anyway.

OP posts:
CarolineForbes · 11/05/2020 08:20

I’ve been vegan about nine years and was a dairy free veggie before that (ate eggs). To be honest the only pitfall for me has always been other people’s attitudes towards veganism. But it’s so much more mainstream now and so easy to eat out as nearly everywhere has a vegan menu now. Oh, actually saying that, another pitfall (as well as being a good thing) has been all the new options for food - I now have junk food and dessert options I didn’t have before and have to resist the junk food temptation!

mynameiscalypso · 11/05/2020 08:22

If you want to eat plant based, eat plant based. Just don't do it because of some rubbish science in a Netflix documentary. There's a nutritionist called Pixie Turner who has a new podcast out with a doctor called In Bad Taste which looks at the science (or not) behind these kind of programmes.

Jjjjjj1981 · 11/05/2020 08:25

Vegan here for seven years, best thing I’ve ever done, it’s made a huge positive difference in my performance and recovery time sports wise. As well as overall health wise.
It does have to be well researched and planned though, I take supplements including protein powder, read and watch everything you can.
Be prepared you may go through an initial stage of feeling a bit rough while your body is ‘detoxing’, it passes after a couple of weeks at most.
Good luck OP

CarolineForbes · 11/05/2020 08:25

Afternooninthepark have you looked at the fodmap diet? I had IBS triggered in my teens after a bout of food poisoning from dairy and the NHS put me on that diet and it changed my life after years of suffering!

tectonicplates · 11/05/2020 08:36

Why are so many people calling it "plant based" now rather than vegan?

I've kind of been reading from context and had assumed it was a deliberately vague phrase to mean "I eat a lot of plants and vegan food, but I'm not telling you whether I'm actually fully vegan or not".

CarolineForbes · 11/05/2020 08:43

Tectonicplates the people I know who call themselves plant based is because they eat a vegan diet but aren’t vegan. So they still wear leather, use animal tested cosmetics etc. They are doing it for health or environment, not for the animals.

Jjjjjj1981 · 11/05/2020 08:56

I’ve met people who called themselves plant based but then tucked into a massive (proper) cream cake in the same breath 😮. So assumed it to mean they eat a mainly vegan diet but not exclusively.
Maybe it’s entirely subjective

worriedmama1980 · 11/05/2020 10:17

I've had periods of eating a vegan diet and it doesn't really suit me.

My DH is vegetarian and I spent over a year breastfeeding a child with an egg and dairy intolerance so what we ate at home was all vegan. What I've found quite annoying, and he has too, is now that veganism seems more popular than vegetarianism, there is a huge upswing in fake meat, processed alternatives, esp when eating out.

I'm intolerant to processed soy and quorn (tofu is fine, soy milk makes me vomit) and it makes it quite difficult. I do genuinely think some people aren't built to be vegan.

Now, I eat a mostly plant based diet, dinners are things like lentil shepherds pie, curries, etc. But despite eating all high iron vegan foods, my levels are constantly low, so I eat red meat out every few weeks and try to have eggs/oily fish once a week. I honestly think my body needs that.

I think if you're not motivated by the moral cause of veganism, then eating a 95% plant based diet with some rare red meat/oily fish/eggs is probably the best option for almost peoples health.

worriedmama1980 · 11/05/2020 10:19

Oh and @tectonicplates there's two reasons, one as said before is if you're not ethically vegan and wear leather etc it makes that distinction.

The other I read in the book 'how not to die' is it's basically possible to be vegan and eat nothing but chips and jam sandwiches and Oreo cookies, so it's to highlight the fact you do actually eat mostly plants as not all vegans do, some have terrible diets.

Fruitytootie · 11/05/2020 12:00

I am mostly plant based so watching with interest as so far I am loving it.

Currently my diet is around 80 fruit and veg with the remaining being wholegrains, nuts & seeds, legumes etc. I also eat fish 2-3 times a week because I am struggling to meet my protein needs (not keen on tofu etc.). I would consider a plant based protein powder.

As I'm new to this I log my food on my fitness pal so I can check that I am meeting my nutritional needs. I.e. eating enough of or not going over on carb or fats. Fibre is never a concern Wink but as I said above, protein was lacking so I include fish and occasionally meat.

Positives I've noticed so far would be hair growing that I never realised I had lost! (I'm currently sporting a wispy fringe!)

And emotionally - I am enjoying cooking again.

I also find it a simpler way of eating once you get into.

CharlieTangoBanana · 11/05/2020 13:06

@tectonicplates The difference between following a plant based diet and veganism is massive.

Being a vegan is a lifestyle choice and involves avoiding leather, wool, cosmetics and medication tested on animals etc etc. Lots of vegans eat processed foods such as fake meat, burgers, sausages etc

Following a plant based diet is just that - eating a wholefood plant based diet without anything processed or the other lifestyle trappings of veganism.

mrbob · 11/05/2020 13:11

I felt heaps better when I was plant based. So healthy and full of beans (in both senses) Apart from b12 it is really easy to get all the nutrients you need 😁 Give it a go. What have you got to lose?

veryvery · 11/05/2020 13:13

Not watched the documentary and I'm a meat and diary eater but do eat lots of plant based food too. Wondered what was the reasoning behind actually cutting out meat and diary as opposed to just eating more plant based food?