Any vegans or raw foodists?
 

Hey im new to the forum, I was wondering if there were any other vegans or raw foodists on this site. If so, I was hoping you might share some of your favorite foods/recipes that have helped you to lose weight.

Well, I Am Getting There!
 

At 54, I am starting a new journey. My first 50 was traumatic and much was because of my weight. I was made fun of by family members especially and those on the outside of family. I never thought that I could measure up to anything. But, one morning, in late December 2009, I woke up with this attitude: I am going to take back my health. I have not looked back since.

I started the 100-Day Veggie Challenge to motivate myself. I am not eating eggs, cheese, butter, oils, milk, salt, sugar, sodas, breads for now. Maybe later for that. What am I eating? I am eating beans, large salads loaded with veggies, brown rice, almond milk. It is very cold and this helps me to stay warm and filled up. When I eat raw, I feel better and notice many changes in my body.

I shall keep you posted if you would like?!

I was vegan for 4 years as an adolescent. (I originally let go of it due to family issues.) But I am returning to it beginning tomorrow. As a vegan, I was always at a healthy weight. After I quit, I became overweight. Veganism is one of the healthiest lifestyles. Cutting out saturated fats, meats, and dairy products really keeps the weight down along with bringing in all the healthy proteins, fruits, and veggies.
I always look up recipes on google, and I've found numerous healthy vegan recipes!

I've been vegan for a little over two years. I've been starting to learn some raw recipes, thought I don't ever expect to go completely raw. I make my own Lara bars (equal parts nuts + dates, plus some cinnamon, blended up in the food processor, kneaded like dough, then shaped into a big block and cut into bars). I'm not overweight, but I'd like to maximize my running performance. Eat to Live and The Thrive Diet are both excellent resources for those who would like to lose weight on a vegan program. The latter I recommend especially for those who are active--I can't abide by a "no snacks" rule, which the former does suggest.

I have been a "raw food lurker" for almost a year now. I did try the 100% raw food, and actually lost several pounds when I was on it. Unfortunately, I did not stick to it because of family pressures, but I did stay on it long enough to realize the benefits of it. I don't plan to return to 100% raw, but I am making an effort to incorporate alot of what I have learned into my lifestyle. I like especially the Green Smoothies, that Victoria Butenko encourages. I bought a small dehydrator, and have been making flax seed crackers, and also making a spinach/avocado dip for them. I want to stick to a 2000 calorie per day program for the rest of my life, a 60% raw food program works for that as long as I don't incorporate dairy. I may not lose a bunch of weight immediately, but in the long run it will benefit me. Thanks for letting me share!

Are any of you runners? I went vegan at the urging of a friend who was diagnosed with polymyocitis (body attacking large muscle groups, so constant pain). However, I have MAJOR allergies to almost the entire nut family. So my protein was limited to beans, soy and bioidentical manufactured protein.

Weight totally FELL off me - BUT... I am a 3-4x a week runner, and I started having MAJOR right knee pain and swelling. I could not walk up and down steps, and was living on Aleve, which is like walking around with a time bomb strapped to your back. I was back and forth to my orthopedist 2 or 3 times a month, xrays, physical therapy, running evaluations, you name it - and he could not figure out what was wrong with my knee. One day LUCKILY I got to see a different doctor who is also an avid runner, and we just sat and talked about LIFESTYLE. I mentioned that I was vegan and it was like a lightbulb came on over his head - I was continually tearing down, and didn't have enough protein to recover and repair adequately. VERY reluctantly, he talked me into going back to meat, just for a week, to see what happened. Within 7 days - I kid you not - my knee was fine. So, long story short, I'd LOVE to go back to it, but without nuts - is there anything I can load up on to MATCH lean meat protein?

My doctor (I kept the second doctor, who is now a running mentor and friend as well) is absolutely NOT in favor of ANY type of "restrictive" diet or meal plan, so I have ZERO medical support. Any thing you guys could suggest would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

You might try looking into hemp protein powder,I have been using it for about a week or so it really gives me a boost after my workouts.I went to hemp because there is no pesticides ,artifical flavors,or anything bad in it.The one I went with was made by nutiva.

I have been vegan for over a year and was vegetarian for MANY years before that....I would highly recommend VEGA products, especially the Whole Food Health Optimizer protein powder - I make a smoothie with it almost everyday. It has all the essential vitamins and tons of extras that are SO beneficial. It was created by a vegan triathlete...also you can sign up for the Thrive in 30 free program for tips and guidance.

Hi, I'm not strictly a vegan but I eat alot of vegan meals. I recently got a cookbook from the library "Great Chefs Cook Vegan" by Linda Long. Interesting recipes that kick it up a notch for food that looks and tastes restaurant quality. Usually a bit complicated to make but worth it.

Hey there! I've been eating as vegan as possible for almost two years. No meat for about nine. I'm trying to cut out a lot of processed food. As for a protein supplement, I use a product by Naturade, 'Soy-Free Veg Protein Booster'. It's sugar and soy free. I'm not really that worried about protein though; we get enough from a balanced diet. Also, I'd recommend any vegan cookbook by Sarah Kramer. Oh yeah, I also have a hemp protein powder on standby for when I run out of the Naturade stuff.

I've been vegetarian with little dairy and egg for 8 months, and now gone vegan. I cannot believe it's this amazing, both physically, and mentally. What's hard is going against the raging madness that is our meat-centric society.
One of my standards is black beans, corn, diced cucumbers, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, celery and garbonzos--give or take what I have. It's always quick, I almost always have canned beans on hand, and frozen corn (gotta have some corn in it). I sometimes drizzle lemon juice on it.
As for raw foods, I have no appetite for raw during the cold winters, but try and have at least some raw veggies, and fruit, a day.
I use Alive! multivitamin shake bu Natures Way in OJ most mornings. It comes in either soy or pea/rice protein varities.

Vegetarian/Vegan
 

I am a vegetarian/vegan why do I say that because I eat NO-meat,pork,fish,eggs or dairy products but will have a bagel or slice of vegetable pizza from time to time so not a strict vegan by the meaning of the word but I won't touch any of the above foods.
I bought a rice protein from the vitamin shoppe and it is from NutriBiotic.It is a vegan rice protein.
It is Gluten free,GMO free,pesticide,herbicide & PCB free 90 servings to a 3 lb tub 55 calories and 12g per serving which equals 1 heaping Tbsp.
Hope this helps you and anyone else out.:):D

dnadjkovic, I'm a runner. I currently run 21-28 miles/week and I did my first half marathon this past October. I highly recommend Brendan Brazier's books--check out his site, brendanbrazier.com. He is a vegan triathlete with a heavy emphasis on foods geared towards expediting recovery.

You CAN be a runner/endurance athelete without eating meat/animal products... You just need the information and resources to do so. And it might not even have been a matter of protein--it could have been overall calories or some other unidentified issue. But definitely check out Brazier's site and books. His "Thrive in 30" video series--you can sign up for this at his site--is a great starting point.

raw vegan
 

Hi, I'm a raw vegan - it's something I feel really passionate about as it has changed my life.
Started last December, have lost the 10lbs I've been trying to lose for years, look and feel fantastic! Can fit into skinny jeans - yay! Raw food is delicious. I'm tucking into a raw kale salad right now, with a scrummy avocado, lemon and garlic dressing and cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives (not raw, but nobody's perfect!).
Stopped worrying about protein, seem to get enough from lots of leafy green veggies, nuts and seeds. ( I steer clear of soya because it's so highly processed, and also the jury still seems to be out as to whether it does/doesn't prevent breast cancer). Lucas Rockwood of Yogabody does a good vegan protein powder if anyone's interested...great added to green smoothies. If anyone wants raw recipes, I'd be very happy to share!
Kate

I am a runner and went high fat raw vegan 5 years ago. I just recently started 80-10-10 (811) which is low fat raw vegan. I eat lots of fruit and dark leafy greens. Occasionally I will have nuts/seeds. My energy is high and my digestion has never been better. I have IBS and digestion has always been a problem. It has been only a couple of weeks doing the 811, but I think it is the best choice for me. check out the site 30bananasaday.com if you are curious. ;-) or read Dr. Doug Graham's book 80-10-10.

I was a vegetarian for many year but drifted into eating junk and not caring (lots of other life issues going on). I recently started the Engine 2 Diet, whole food, vegan, low fat, and have dropped about 10 pounds.

Hey, I just started the RAW way of life but am having to avoid a lot of things because of my migraine triggers. How are you doing?

Fat is important to joint health, if you are on a low fat diet it may help to increase your fat. Just be aware of how many calories you add. Hemp Hearts are a good source with lots of good fat, so is flax - or even just adding more olive oil or similar to your cooking. (assuming your consumption is low)

Yay I'm so happy to see other vegans on here!!

I've been vegan for about a year, strict vegetarian for 2 years before that. I did not choose this lifestyle for the weight loss reasons, but it sure is a nice side effect!

I've lost 121 lbs in total, to date. I still have about 35 to my personal goal, and 50 to the weight my trainer/doctor would like.

I would love to share recipes. I love cooking and being inspired by what other vegans like to eat.

Hello vegans!

~ PJ

Wow! I am a vegetarian who also is violently allergic to nuts. I've never come across another one before.

Because of my nut allergies (I'm allergic to serveral types of beans too), it's impossible for me to be a vegan. At first I was eating a lot of soy products, but I started reading about how bad soy dogs/burgers/sausage/bacon is for you so I cut it out. In a nutshell, think about what has to be done to a soy bean to make it look and taste like a sausage link. That can't be good.

I found, reluctantly, adding an occasional piece of fish in my diet was the best solution. Good luck!

Wow that is so interesting, and I guess it's the general rule - we 'bodies' are all different and respond differently to certain foods. What works for one might not work for another. You go with what you feel best on.

I am also an avid runner, 4-5 x a week, 8-10 km. I am also a raw vegan. I have noticed that my energy is not what is used to be, about a year ago I felt like I had big springs on my feet. But I have always been a vegetarian, it is since I became totally vegan - and no soy products, or nuts either - so go figure. I have refined my diet so much that I get stomach cramps when I have concentrated foods such as dried fruit and nuts. I have alot of green juice, green smoothies & raw soups. I'll blend up a whole lot of stuff and use cut up veggies to dip into it. I do have a rice protein powder twice a day, which is not 100% raw but it only has one ingredient, so it's ok.

I'm getting back into sprouting beans again, which is also a sure fire way to get some perfect energy. There is a guy on the internet who is a raw vegan runner, check out his site Tim VanOrden's Running Raw Project - Home

And DON'T feel bad about eating meat, if you find it works for you. As long as you are getting organic meat and are not overdoing it - you are fine. As with another comment check out hemp meal or protein. I wish I could get it here but 'they' (the system) won't let it into our country because of it's link to the obvious.

Coconut oil is brilliant. I was having 2 tablespoons a day at one time last year, and I beat my running times by 4 minutes. I recommend it! Good luck. :)

Wow
 

It's so cool to see so many vegans and vegetarians on here!

Hey rawrollei, I was vegetarian for 15 years...for 5 of those I was vegan, and for one of those, I was high raw. I did NOT do well on high raw at all, to my dismay.

NOW I am whole foods vegan, except for organic chicken breast (which I truly despise eating, it grosses me out and makes me sad to ever have to eat a living creature, but my health was suffering).

I have raw greens every day, but I don't do well on much fruit or nuts. I've switched to more cooked whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, beans) and cooked veggies (asparagus, broccoli, etc). I feel better on this diet than I have in years, but I think each of our bodies have different needs.

I hope you find the perfect balance to bring you to optimal health. The running raw project is supercool, and Tim is such a charismatic and mesmerizing speaker. I could watch his clips for hours.

I am a little hesitant about the raw community these days, though. In my experience, they can be so narrow and rigid and dogmatic, they'd sooner let peoples' health deteriorate and completely disregard common sense for the sake of being ONE HUNDRED PERCENT RAW ::cue the music::. Looking back, much of what was said on those raw message boards was really silly. Every body has its own needs. Listen for those needs, and find your own path by trial and error.

Nice meeting you. :)

Sweetiepie,

You are so funny! I love that you incorporated the phrase 'in a nutshell' into your nut-allergy post. Hahaa!!

New to this site: Vegan
 

Hello!! I'm new to this site, and vegan! Best lifestyle choice I have ever made. Hope to meet some great folks on here, as I'm a chubby vegan and need some assistance with that!:o

I just started going vegan about 3 week ago but a man reason I dd was bcause of my health. Both my aunt and uncle and 1 cousin are vegan for health reasons. Right now I am feeling woe but part of the reason for that is my body is geting rid of all the toxin from my body. I do have more energy and am starting to feel not as sore. I have problems with quite few other issues now. I have celiac diseaean am allergic to dairy and soy so Iwas alread pretty limited in what I could have so that is 1 thing that pushed me to become a vegan. I have found a website that has realy been extremely helpful. I am not raw yet but at some point may go there when I am ready. I have also found that by going vegan my RA, lupus and fibro have gotten much better.