We started seriously cutting back on all forms of sugar and refined carbohydrate about a year ago. Now we have progressed to the point that even whole wheat flour is a treat. This was done to reduce blood glucose since that is beneficial in regard to cancer. According to this study it is also a good idea for women that are concerned about heart disease.
The more I read about nutrition the more I realize that there really is only one diet that is optimal no matter what health condition you are focused on. That is a whole food plant based diet. We struggled at the beginning to eat this way 100% of the time. Initially we followed the 90/10 rule that Dr. Fuhrman talks about in "Eat to Live". However we found that including the 10% was harder than going 100%. By allowing ourselves those little treats we weren’t weaning our bodies off of the toxic substances. Now when we occasionally eat out the food seems oily (even when it isn’t by American standards) and we don’t enjoy eating out like we used to. It is amazing how much our tastes have changed in a relatively brief period of time.
If any of you are thinking of trying to change your diet to a whole food plant based diet and want some tips please feel free to ask me. I am happy to share what I have learned on this journey. It was tough at first, but now it is an easy lifestyle to follow.
I know! I can't eat out anymore--and if I do I can only get salads without dressing or very basic things--because *everything* is soooo oily. Even when friends cook "healthy" for me I find it a little greasy and heavy for my tastes. It is odd, but a good thing in the end!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
Courtney,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for letting me know it isn't just us! I agree it is a good thing in the end, but it does make it difficult to socialize as often as we used to. ;-)
Alicia
Tell me about missing out on the socialization! Our church has something nearly every week. I just don't go. There is way too much southern influence. I miss it terribly, so does my husband.
ReplyDeleteI am not ready to face the onslaught of......What!?, Why...!?
Maybe once I am secure in my eating habits, that will change.
I have to hand it to Terrence, over at My Vegan Quest. He is out, and in the thick of it daily. I know some of his choices contain more salt, and fat than is optimal. But, I mean..........he is out there everyday!!
Naina,
ReplyDeleteWe are trying to be as healthy as we can or we would be going out more and ordering salad without dressing. The real problem is that I can make tastier and healthier food at home so we opt to stay home or take food with us.
All our friends understand the reason we eat this way so we don't get questions. However we do have friends that regularly tell us they couldn't eat like we do, and that gets old. In our case we consider it a matter of life or death so that makes it an easy choice.
I am guessing that Terrence goes out because he really doesn't want to cook. Our single male friends tend to go out for that reason. It is impressive that he will ask for veggie plates that aren't on the menu in restaurants where he is a regular. That can't be easy in a bar with other guys eating wings and drinking beer.
Alicia
Great post. I've written an article about GI foods and I'll post it in the future. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteAimee,
ReplyDeleteThanks! I can't wait to read your article when you post it.
Alicia
I love all of the recipes and meals you post. I am a vegan as well and try to eat as many whole foods as possible. Veggies are NOT a problem with me :D. I am curious as to what the 90/10 rule is though. Could you tell me a bit more about it? I would love to talk with you about structuring meals a bit more. It seems like yours are always quite balanced and that is something I would like to work on.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day!
xox
Mandiee,
ReplyDeleteDr. Fuhrman's plan in his first book is to get 90% of your calories from healthy whole plant based foods with 10% coming from elsewhere (if you can't do 100%). Those calories can be oil, flour products, sugars, meat or cheese. Many of the people that think they are following his plan aren't as the volume of food may be 10% but the calories are far higher. We had difficulty with that as well initially. It was easier for us to give up those things, except for a little whole grain flour every once in a while. For most people that were eating a SAD diet the 90/10 was still a huge change. If that doesn't explain adequately let me know.
I would be happy to chat with you about meal planning. Do you have a specific question? If so send me an email.
talk to you later,
Alicia
you know, eating out for me isnt the same either. slowly i keep kicking restaurants off my list. the food isnt what i would want it to be. i can understand what you mean about it being easier to be one way(100% WF) vs 90/10. then you are always questioning yourself, like was that really worth it? wouldnt i be HAPPIER at 100% lol humans make thing so complicated:)
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteWe found that when we were 90/10 the 10 tended to creep up and become more like 20 or 30. That was too much for optimal nutrition. So we decided if we went 100% we wouldn't need to worry about it. It was just easier. The best part was that it reduced our cravings for the unhealthy foods. That was definitely an unexpected added benefit.
Alicia
Hi, Alicia. I have just discovered your blog and love it. I was a vegetarian for 15 years and became vegan a year ago. I am planning to switch to a completely whole foods plant based diet tomorrow (earth day). Even though I love to cook, I still eat way too many fake meats, processed items, etc. and I need to lose 100+ pounds. People always wonder how I could be vegan and have a weight problem, but I tell them if you eat too much, too big portions, processed stuff...well, you get the picture. I am going to scour your blog tonight and get tips, ideas, etc. Thanks for the great blog. I haven't updated my blog in months, but with my change in diet am going to ramp up my blog and try to post daily. You are an inspiration!!
ReplyDelete~Lolly
Lolly,
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice comment, thank you so much! :-)
We have been eating a mostly whole foods plant based diet for about a year. Commercial foods are things we have been slowly but surely eliminating. I do still make seitan (my husband loves it), but other than that our diet is clean.
If you have any questions please feel free to email me (address is on my profile page). I am more than happy to share anything I have learned.
Alicia
Me, too! I only really enjoy eating in raw food restaurants, organic veggie places, and the like. They basically cook what I'd eat at home, except I don't have to do the work (or clean-up!). :)
ReplyDeleteRicki,
ReplyDeleteI often wonder how my tastes have changed this much, but I am happy they have. BTW, raw restaurants are great! I wish we had one nearby.
Alicia