Posts by jb723

are you a vegetarian?

Carbs are very good for you and are a staple of any vegetarian diet.  As long as you are eating whole grains and foods, and not tons of refined sugars like juice and white rice, bread, etc then you should lose weight.  The lo-carb diets are extremely hazardous to your health and even lead to kidney failure.  They are popular because you lose weight fast, but it doesn't work in the long run.  The problem with all frozen meals is that they are loaded with sodium, loaded.  Why don't you try cooking meals that you can enjoy as well, just not add meat to your portion?  It seems a little ridiculous that you aren't taking care of your own needs...

The actual guidelines in the US for sodium are to try not to exceed 1200 mg sodium per day.  Frozen meals and processed foods are loaded with sodium as a preservative, especially since they have to put trans fat on the labels now.  

A really good alternative to frozen meals are vegan, no sodium added soups.  They are cheap, healthy, and filling and you can just pop them in the microwave.  My fav are health valley brand, which I can only find in the health food store but its worth the trip.  

 The same goes for the wheat based bread and pasta that goes for rice, as x17star17x explained.  When white flour is made from wheat, the bran (the source of fiber) and the germ (the source of b vitamins and vitamin e along with many other micro-nutrients).  Thus white rice, white bread, white pasta, etc is purely starch without all the other nutritional benefits.  If you are interested in the nutritional benefits of whole foods I suggest you look into the book "The China Study" by Dr. Campbell.  Very informative.

Unrefined, whole carbohydrates are GOOD for you! Low-carb diets are VERY VERY bad...they cause ketosis which can lead to kidney failure, among other things.

You can never really eat too much fruit! It's a whole food and very high nutrient per calorie density, which means its packed with 'good calories.'  I would absolutely add more veggies though.  As far as grain based carbohydrates you should make sure they are whole as well, and stick to the serving sizes.  

I really like veggies with hummus as a snack, raw nuts are great for long lasting energy, just stick to one ounce, unsalted.  

You should examine the reason you are so tired.  Pizza is one reason for sure, Unless that pizza is on whole wheat crust and covered in veggies and a minimal amount of cheese.  Especially if you are dieting I would say try and add in more whole foods: whole fruits, veggies, and whole grains ad replace the more processed stuff.  You probably have some vitamin/mineral deficiencies (probably magnesium) that are causing fatigue, unless you are working graveyard or something. Exercise really helps with sleep patterns too.  

For a list of foods rich in magnesium visit this link:

 http://www.algaecal.com/magnesium-foods.html

 good luck! And definitely shoot for eating more whole foods, excercising, and getting more natural sources of magnesium BEFORE you go on sleep aids!!

Getting enough protein as a vegetarian is never a problem unless all you eat are refined, unhealthy foods.  Vegetables, and especially legumes are great sources of protein contrary to what the public has been fed by the FDA.  The transition to becoming a vegetarian can be difficult but it seems like the longer you go without meat the less you want it.  I've been veggie for one year and you couldn't pay me to eat meat, even though I initially became vegetarian for environmental sustainability.  It takes a full six weeks to change our nutritional tastes.  I think the meat substitutes are not the healthiest thing but that can be really helpful when you are switching over.  Eating out is easy they always have something vegetarian or you can ask them to make you what you want, substitute things, its really easy if you just ask.  

If you are seriously considering it and are interested in the health benefits and nutritional info check out "The China Study" by Dr. Campbell.  It's really great, both motivating and informative. 

Ok well I wasn't attacking anyone personally I was discussing a general issue that I find disheartening ladies.  I am vegan and I really could care less what other people call themselves it still makes me vegan, "by definition".  I really just think its a waste of energy to get so wrapped up in vocabulary that you lose the original purpose, as discussed in my earlier post.  

love and respect to all. 

I find the whole "hierarchy of the vegetarian elite" disheartening.  As a veggie, I have cultivated an attitude of love and respect for all other forms of life, including other humans.  Why do we, as a group of people generally concerned with the well fare of other beings, criticize and disrespect those in our own mindset for not being 'vegetarian' enough?  I think we get enough hostility from non-vegetarians (of course, not always) for our choices or just for being 'different' so what on earth is the point of persecuting someone else for not having the same views as your own, especially someone who is making an effort to be a better human being, whether that means still eating fish or not.  I do agree that being vegan is a lot of effort in this society, but doesn't asserting yourself as somehow better than someone who eats an egg defeat the whole purpose?  I think we need to reevaluate our intentions and be more mindful about what being a vegetarian really means.  I think bickering about who is more vegetarian is a waste of our energies that we could be using for much better things.

I grew up in southern california where it seems like eating disorders are "normal" for girls starting in middle school.  I struggled with ED's all the way through college until I almost killed myself and then came upon a book called "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay.  If you are ready and or open minded to really healing, which is a hard enough place to get to, just read this book!  It's the only thing that helped me learn to start really loving myself and stop hurting myself. Nothing is a miracle instant cure, it takes so much work to be healthy again but this book is wonderful...It changed my entire life...

In-patient treatment is wonderful for feeling safe and being in a place where people actually understand you, parents usually don't...if you need it then you should not feel guilty because this is your life and you are important and deserve it! 

Well, I finished the book and i've been on the diet for a few days and I LOVE IT!! I've already lost some weight, but I've been going to Bikram Yoga too (Yoga where it is 115 degrees in the room ) .  Thanks for the book advice Mike, I'm just starting The China Study, and The Omnivore's Dilemma is next on my list.  I really wish everyone would read the book just for all the wonderful nutritional info it provides.  I'm actually studying to be a dietician and am frustrated with the recommendations from the USDA, and this book really shatters them. The book is simple enough for everyone to read and just incorporating some of the adicve will improve your health!

I didn't think I could go vegan either, even though I'm already a veggie, but now I can't even imagine putting animal products back into to my diet in more than miniscule quantities, in the interest of health.  

 Garden Burgers are OK, I was referring more to processed starchy foods like crackers, bread, etc. (even whole wheat).

Have you tried Dr. Pregger's veggie patties?  They are AMAZING, and you can see the veggies!  The less processed the better!  I really recommend the book!