Plant based diets?

[DoorKnobber]

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!

Do ensure you take B12 if you go plant based. I used to be vegetarian but would often go days eating plants only (had to stop due to suddenly developing severe iron deficiency after years of no issues). I don’t think it was any healthier than not eating animal products to be honest. Sure, if you’re eating crappy processed meat and factory farmed milk it’s probably a good idea to stop but there’s no reason to exclude good quality animal products from your diet unless you have an intolerance or an allergy.

I have one child that hates meat so earlier this year I pledged to go plant based with him, only managed a week and then had the worst ibs flare up I've ever had, 3 weeks solid of cramps and upset stomach. Dc prefers plant based food though so I still buy for him. I would be careful of buying too many meat alternatives though because they are predominantly soya based and too much soya isn't very good for you either. Oat milk is delicious.

It doesn't have to be all or nothing and doesn't need a label.

If you don't want to avoid animal origin products for ethical reason you could simply eat mostly veg, beans, nuts etc and have some meat, fish, eggs, dairy or whatever every once in a while when you fancy it, or feel it would be beneficial.

It's not like having the occasional piece of salmon within a diet that is heavily based on plants cancels out the benefits. If anything, it can only be a good thing, as it means you eat a wider range of nutritious food.

I've been vegan for 5.5 years now - modern pitfall is that there is so much tasty vegan junk food however if you do keep it unprocessed then it's pretty healthy. Just watch out for excessive intake of nuts, delicious little fat bombs that they are.

Oh, and there was a study recently saying coconut oil is not the holy grail and never was, so don't buy into that nonsense. Just watch the calories and eat sensibly and you'll be grand. It helps if you like Indian recipes as many are already veggie/easily adjusted to vegan requirements.

@ItsSpittingEverybodyln the whole point of a plant based diet is to avoid processed foods so anyone following a plant based diet shouldn't be eating meat substitutes as they are highly processed.

OP lots of people are mentioning the importance of B12 and it is important but while taking a supplement is good so is incorporating B12 into your diet, yeast flakes are an excellent source of B12 and can be added to sauces, soups and lots of other dishes.

@DoorKnobber we aren't fully plant based but as my DS is allergic to eggs and dairy quite a few of my meals are completely animal free. I got given a book for Christmas, called The Plant Based Cyclist. It has some really good recipes in it but its not just a cook book. It also goes into quite a bit of detail about the theory of plant based diets and how to get everything that you need nutritionally. I can't remember the author's name off the top of my head but he's worked for British Cycling and several pro cycling teams so probably knows what he's talking about!

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

This

It is so annoying.

I went vegetarian because I don’t like meat. Now you eat out and it seems restaurants deliberately go out of their way to find the most meat like vegan/vegetarian option.

I'm not plant based but I've been cutting things out over time. The only animal products I currently eat are chicken, fish and the the occasional egg and honey. I can tell you it's made a huge difference in how I feel and I'll never go back.

Plant based means they don't eat any animal products but still may use or wear animal products.

Vegan means they don't eat, use or wear animal products. Though things like medication and vaccinations they usually do use if there's no other option, just depending on their beliefs.

www.healthline.com/nutrition/game-changers-review#recap

I agree with everyone else that says that it's great, if it suits you. It didn't suit me as I needed the protein and do horribly on soy/pulses.

But now I am largely dairy free and eat a highly plant based diet but with some meat or fish. Very little processed food. So, I would try and see but know that its OK to work on it till you find the right combination for yourself.

I’ve taken plant based to mean, non processed food as well as non animal products. So stuff like vegan cheese or pretent ham doesn’t count in plant based bit does in vegan.

Tha ks @mrbob It’s nice to know the benefits. So what if it’s been inspired by a netflix docu?! I’m now doing my own research from that and still keen.

Day 3!!

@Reginabambina I’vealways taken floradix which has b12 in.

Thanks @MrsAvocet I’ll take a look

@DoorKnobber Definitely think that's for the best. Processed food of any kind isn't great. Good luck x

Rebel kitchen chocolate milk drink is lovely. They do other flavours too.

Felt so much better when I went vegan (over 2 years ago now). My acne cleared up, my IBS disappeared, I had more energy and never felt bloated. I can eat a huge meal now but because so much of it is veggies or naturally low calorie light foods, I don’t feel stuffed and lethargic. I take the occasional iron supplement as I’m prone to heavy periods (but have never been anaemic) and I take the Vegan Society Veg 1 supplement in orange. However if I don’t make the effort to eat healthily (for example have a week where I’m eating processed carbs and not a lot else) I feel less energetic. As long as I eat plenty of veg and protein I feel fantastic and would never go back.

Take game changers with a pinch of salt. There are plenty of other articles that question the science and facts used.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.menshealth.com/nutrition/amp29067926/the-game-changers-movie-fact-check/

I’ve read that one @GindependantWoman and it’s still not changed my mind. I understand that there are flaws in the docu... but it has kick started me in to more research, so I’n grateful for that.

@DoorKnobber I watch a lot of YouTube videos by Mic the Vegan, his videos are always fact based and backed up by peer reviewed research. He follows a plant based wholefood diet without oil or salt. I've not gone as far as cutting oil and salt from my diet but have significantly cut down on both.

I guess in theory one's diet can always be "improved" for possible health benefits but some improvements are so marginal as to be very unimportant. Problem with 'plant based diets' is they get hijacked by people who want to impose a moral value onto what folk eat.

(declaring my colours) I don't like moral value being attached to food choices.

No moral values from me, I'm not preachy about the way I eat and wouldn't have a fit of the vapours if I went to someone's house and they had prepared food for me that wasn't strictly what I normally eat.
I guess that's the difference between someone adopting a vegan lifestyle and a particular way of eating.

I did it to try and get my blood pressure down to avoid having to go on antihypertensives. I feel AMAZING - I'd never go back now. Bags and bags of energy, and I feel so strong - I took up running and I feel like I could just run on and on forever. When I used to try running previously, I felt sluggish and heavy and weak.

The only "rule" as such that I set myself is to avoid as much processed stuff as possible. The downside to this is I spend hours longer now in the kitchen because I'm making pretty much most things from scratch. I eat tonnes of vegetables, obviously, and whole grains, pulses, nuts, etc. It sounds boring, but I make loads of gorgeous salads from things like bulgar wheat or various other grains, dips, dressings, roasted vegetables with herb oils, and make my own wholegrain bread or pittas to go with them. I'm not calling myself vegetarian or vegan or anything as I'm neither of those - I still eat feta cheese and yoghurt occasionally, and very rarely meat. To me it was just about reducing processed food and this seemed the way to go about it.

I only say that because I watched it and was amazed. Said straight away that I wanted to become plant based.

My friends and partner who watched it with me did some research and I read it all but thought I wanted to try it. I did it for quite a long time, two or three months. Had some really interesting meals and protein replacements. Some of it was processed ready meals which were lovely but most was me cooking which I started to really enjoy and I never have before.

Nothing changed. I didn't feel healthier or fitter or able to run further or train longer and it became a pain when we went out for a meal. I decided then to do mostly plant based. Meat when convenient but plant based otherwise. That was better.

To be honest, since lockdown I've eaten what feels like a million chickens and still the same.

Could just be me..: I really hope it works out for you!