Would you go Vegan?

Being vegan definitely isn't for everyone.  I tried it for a month and felt great, but missed dairy and eggs. But, I have to say, if you truly eat vegan, you actually can still get in quite a bit of protein.  I am not vegan, but for food sensitivity reasons I use a plant based protein powder called PlantFusion (22g protein per scoop).  I love it and feel great drinking it.  I do drink it with Lactaid milk for an extra 8g of protein right now, but will stop using the lactaid milk  when I need to cut some calories and just use water with it.

There are a lot of vegans who do it for "animal cruelty reasons" and then there are others who do it for health reasons.  There are lots of people with cancer or other health issues, who go vegan and their cancer goes into remission or they are cured.  Getting your body PH to an alkeline level can only really be done by eating a wide variety of plant based foods.  Almost all animal products are acidic.  When your body is acidic... that is when cells are damaged. 

I do not believe anyone should force a way of eating on another, but I am sure your friend is feeling really good and just wants you to share in his blessings.  But if needed, just keep telling him it is not your choice at this time and please stop pushing it on you.  You will ask him in the future if you want more information about it.

Become Vegan or adopt a Vegan lifestyle, whatever the heck that is.... FORGETABOUTIT....

I bought some hemp socks last year, thats the closest I am moving toward a Vegan lifestyle.....

 I could easily go vegetarian, but I could NOT go vegan, I love cheese WAY to much LOL

It's interesting that your friend thinks this is healthy. I guess it depends on which philosophy you buy into. I personally believe a Vegan diet is unhealthy. If you read The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolfe, he goes into quite a bit of detail on this. Our bodies weren't meant to eat grains! That's why so many of us are successful eating low carb.

Jen

i realize that this post is over a year old but I had to chime in.  I had VSG 5 years ago and did great.  I felt good.  Someone asked me to do the 21 day Vegan Kickstart with them.  I figured why not.  I loved meat and dairy but thought I would support my friend.  I really loved it!  I have eaten a vegan diet for two years now.  At first I was really worried about the protein and worked to get in as much as I could.  Then I researched it and found that we really do not need as much protein as we thought.  45 grams a day is plenty for a woman.  And that is easy to get in on a vegan diet.  Even with a VSG.  The amazing thing to me is that even 3 years post op I had problems with my skin and hair.  And that was with me getting over 80 grams of protein a day.  Now my hair is more full than ever and my skin looks great.  My labs are great.  My weight had settled at 170 and I was fine with that.  Now I seem to be losing a little more weight.  I also just found out that my surgeon now supports a plant based diet and is researching post op diet needs.  He is writing a book.  I am eager to read it.  I choose a plant based diet because I feel so good on it.  I know it is not for everyone but I am sure glad I tried it.

Thank you for sharing. I am vegan and had the vertical sleeve. It is not hard to get enough protein. Many whole foods have protein without the fat & cholesterol from meat and dairy that was killing me even with the weight loss. 

I've had 3 strokes. The first was almost a year after my VSG. I switched to a vegan diet and have now celebrated the first 12 month period in 3 years without a cerebral event. I also lost the 30 lbs that tried to creep back after surgery. 

Your friend has vegan religion. I would stop trying to reason with him or justify your choices and just remind him that he promised not to push his lifestyle on you.

No, I would never go vegan. I don't see the point. Pretty much every claim that vegans make as to why you should go vegan doesn't hold up to scientific scrutiny. The only reason to do it is for religious/spiritual reasons -- that you believe chicken eggs have souls or that milking cows commercially is cruel. Then again, apparently vegetables scream when you boil them so where do you draw the line? 

Im actually a vegetarian now. I tried really hard to be a vegan, I didnt even make it an hour. Im still in the pre op phase of VSG and Im debating what sleeve life will be like as a vegetarian. When I get the surgery I plan to give up sugar, white flour and carbs if possible. If I have to start eating meat again for my health I guess I will, but I really plan on staying a veg head if its possible

I would love to go vegan.  In fact, I think there is someone who posts here who is a vegan, and she has a blog (claimmaster I think?).  Hopefully she'll weigh in.  

I am not vegan and am not planning to switch anytime soon just because of practicality.  There are many more easily and readily available animal based protein sources.  I love beans, tofu, and seitan (an awesome source of protein) but I am a much better cook with meat than with those things now--at least if I want my family not to get bored.  And the problem with beans especially is all the carbs that come with the protein in them.  

If you enjoy eating meat, there is no reason to become a vegan.  I also have a problem with the way we treat livestock, so I try to buy humanely raised meat products.  That has to do, for me, for now :)

Meat is not the only source of protein.  I did not eat meat for years in my youth (not vegan, just no beef, pork, chicken, fish- anything with eyes).  There are loads of plant based options for protein- beans, lentils, tofu and of course there are dairy options if you go that route.  Don't forget about protein supplements.  In all, if I wanted to commit to going vegan it is possible to still get in the protein of 80 grams per day.  

But- it is a higher carb day going this route.  So for the carb sensitive folks that would be something to consider.  Remember, we didn't get fat eating asparagus all the time so this still holds true for a vegan or vegetarian diet.  Step away from the bakery, avoid the soda, yadda yadda yadda.