26 replies to this topic

[jtota]

erincita123, on 01 November 2012 - 02:47 AM, said:

I guess I want the "straight poop" - I know food is very personal and fads come and go....I am not interested in a diet or quick fix. Nor am I interested in Crossfit/ Paleo, etc etc. I am interested in being as healthy and vibrant as possible & participating in my chosen sport at a very aggressive level (running). To that end, I wonder if I "should" try eating meat?? Or is that even necessary....
This is becoming a very long winded, all over the place post! Sorry about that! I appreciate all the responses.
Sounds like everyone here has gone from veg or vegan to eating meat... Really not sure if that is the path for me.
Thank you again for the comments!!!

Just re-read this and wanted to add- from a runner's perspective- if you try the whole 30 as outlined (with meat etc) make sure you are eating sweet potatoes, squash, etc and plenty of fat. I tried to do this once before and stay low-fat and low-carb and I literally could not run. My 5 mile daily runs literally lasted 1 block and then came to blinding halt. I have not tried to run yet on this whole 30 because it is too cold and snowy here but judging by my other workouts I think I would do just fine. Good luck to you, which ever route you go. I'm curious to see your results

[Maralo]

I'm also a "mostly vegetarian," and the no legumes or grains science appears (to my non-scientist eyes) exactly as compelling and skewed as the "no animal protein" China Study info, or all the other cherry picked science out there in eating plans. After going through it all for years, I'm TIRED!

I've just found this new (to me) Whole 9 program, will order the book (and it will live next to all the other books in time I'm sure!), but I am wondering about cholesterol, the cost of such a meat-heavy diet, and mostly at the science - sources would be appreciated - for the anti-grain and legume philosophy. And then I want to see if I can do this! Thanks. Marjie

[Kirsteen]

I think you'll find the book really helpful. Cholesterol, basically we need it and most of it is produced by our livers, very little comes from the food we eat. There are loads of paleo websites and authors Robb Wolf, Mark Sissons who quote a lot of studies showing the difference in health between hunter-gatherer tribes and farming tribes. It's all really interesting and I enjoyed reading about it but wasn't a hundred percent convinced until I read It Starts With Food and the Hartwiggs really explained just what legumes and grains do the body and why. that's what clinched it for me.

I came from a mostly vegetarian/vegan background. I'd been a raw food vegan for a couple of years but was annoyed at the lack of science behind a lot of what they advocated. I was also undergoing treatment for cancer and had been doing loads of juice fasts and anti-cancer protocols, all of which abhor red meat, so it was quite a step for me. Like you I was tired of the world and his wife touting their own theory and thoroughly confused.

W30 just seemed so practical, after all I could try it for 30 days and then find out how these foods affected me. Persoanlly, after reading the book, I've decided to leave legumes and grains out of my diet for good but some people do reitroduce them and at least they know whether they're affected by them or not.

As to the cost, there's no doubt that meat is dearer than beans but there's lots of ways to keep the costs down, there have been various threads in the planning and cooking forums on doing it on a budget, I'm on a very limited income so it can be done.

Read the book, I'm sure you'll enjoy it and come back and ask any questions you've got.

[Kat13]

Hi Everyone, on day 20 of my whole30. Seriously thinking about getting off. My chest hurts so bad! One of the reasons I started the whole30 is to see if it would improve my pain but unfortunately it has gotten worst. My pain tends to be MUCH better when I stay away from meat for the most part. Doctors can't find anything physically wrong with me other than acid reflux and stress (who wouldn't be stressed when they feel like a knife is in their chest)? Does anyone have any thoughts as to why my pain might be worst since starting the diet? I'm thinking today I need to take the meat out? And I know it can take longer than 20, 30, 40 days to reset your body, but I can't take this pain. Wanting to adjust the whole30 but still stay compliant...really discouraged, would love some feedback?!

[isap63]

First time poster, long time reader

2 days ago I completed my Whole 30 as a Vegeterian, all home made food for entire 30 days, Only protein source for me is egg.

I probably would have eaten around 15 dozens of eggs, lots of green veggies, avocados, nuts like macadamia, hazelnut for snacking, fruits like banana for prework out boost, sweet potatoes, home made ghee , coconut oil, olive oil for fats, It went absoultely fine and never felt tired or hungry. Only difference I saw was during the work out, the weight lifting time went down from 1 hr to 30 mins.

During this 30 day period , I did not consume chicken, any meat, fish, legumes, dairy, soy, edamame, yogurt (any kind of meat is strictly prohibited in our house).

On the 31st day , I went to the hospital and they took my blood for blood work. Will get my results in a week. No point in doing all this if we fail to get our blood reading, right ?

Good luck for the veggies out there. Just get creative

[whitjm5]

Maralo, on 20 February 2013 - 02:51 PM, said:

I'm also a "mostly vegetarian," and the no legumes or grains science appears (to my non-scientist eyes) exactly as compelling and skewed as the "no animal protein" China Study info, or all the other cherry picked science out there in eating plans. After going through it all for years, I'm TIRED!

I've just found this new (to me) Whole 9 program, will order the book (and it will live next to all the other books in time I'm sure!), but I am wondering about cholesterol, the cost of such a meat-heavy diet, and mostly at the science - sources would be appreciated - for the anti-grain and legume philosophy. And then I want to see if I can do this! Thanks. Marjie

I was just re-reading a section in ISWF regarding cholesterol in red meat. It's really a non-issue.
May I recommend that you watch "Fat Head"? It's on Netflix and really explains how and why fat (in meat) became demonized as causing heart disease. Even if it doesn't convert you (it's a free country and I'm not bothered if you choose to eat only plants), it will open your eyes a bit. :-)

Robb Wolf's "The Paleo Solution" covers a lot of the science, and Jason Seib's "The Paleo Coach" (which I haven't yet purchase/read) comes highly recommended, as well.

[Juzbo]

I'm in my 40s, had 18 years as a strict vegetarian... Developed gluten intolerance... Started eating meat and gluten free grains. Did a gluten intolerance trial and developed dairy intolerance. Tried being vegan for 6 months but after an initial improvement went downhill rapidly. Did a month or two of paleo followed by a whole30 and what do you know first time all my blood work pretty much got into the heathy range. Family history of gall bladder disease, heart disease, cancer and diabetes ... These are all systemic inflammation diseases. Grains, legumes and dairy = inflammation. Paleo = health. Whole9 = reduced inflammation!