Cutting out meat/ Gluten Free/ Vegan

[tonytiger55]

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Hey what do you guys do for lunches ?!

Suppers seem to be okay to make but I’m having trouble with lunches. Currently I’m on wraps: wrap, cheese, lettuce tomato, onion and then a protein ( chicken or tuna ) so what do I replace those with?!

Im usually eating some Dhaal (Lentils) with rice. A vegetable stirfry, or salmon with vegetables (or do a sneaky run to Freshii). Some grape tomatoes on the side sometimes.

I find I don’t eat as much.
Im eating a lot more fruit like apples, grapes and oranges.

Do any of you guys get cramps? Im starting to get lower back pain due to muscles tightening on occasion, im wondering if it’s a mineral deficiency.

[riander5]

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Good job! Is it addressing your issues/sickness?

Stopped eating meat(including fish) three years ago and the health benefits are insane. I maintain the same weight that I do when I am marathon training and only get out for jogs here and there. I come from a meat eating family (not a hippy haha) and my friends make a point to bug me at every opportunity. I still do eat some dairy as in I wont not eat something because it contains eggs or milk. That being said I wouldn't make eggs for breakfast and drink a glass of milk. I am on the fence with wheat, yes I would likely benefit from dropping it but you have to have some vice and I think meat is 100%worse than wheat.

Honestly the hardest thing on your list to kick (and keep with) will be sugar. I go in spits and spurts of how regimented I am but when I am following the no refined sugar strictly I drop weight instantly. The first week is a nightmare. Then I feel fine.

Since my change, my brother who was a avid BBQ'er has sold off all his BBQing and smoking gear and done the same. Another OG beyonder who no longer posts has also followed suit and lost weight and is maintaining it without even trying.

Including myself these are all people who you would never expect be vegetarians (ish)

You cut out ONLY meat and then felt great? Thats odd, i've never heard of anyone doing that.

I agree we need much less meat. I try to stick to organic chickens and wild fish when I buy my own meat. That being said people cutting out meat and ingesting grains (any and all) and possibly dairy boggle my mind.

[msommers]

GF and I have done the LowFOD Map diet restriction and now introducing known irritants back in the diet. It's generally advised by GI specialists and has been pretty enlightening of what a normal digestion should feel like vs. what I've known for most of my life.

Hate to be doucher about gluten-free but when it comes to pasta, breads etc I don't feel nearly as tired after eating or bloated.

Some pretty common things can subtly disagree with people: onions, garlic, apples, beans, for example.

[craigcd]

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You cut out ONLY meat and then felt great? Thats odd, i've never heard of anyone doing that.

I agree we need much less meat. I try to stick to organic chickens and wild fish when I buy my own meat. That being said people cutting out meat and ingesting grains (any and all) and possibly dairy boggle my mind.

I wouldn't say I cut out only meat. I follow a plant based diet for the most part. That was the only change I had to make as I was generally eating healthy to begin with.

- - - Updated - - -

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Im usually eating some Dhaal (Lentils) with rice. A vegetable stirfry, or salmon with vegetables (or do a sneaky run to Freshii). Some grape tomatoes on the side sometimes.

I find I don’t eat as much.
Im eating a lot more fruit like apples, grapes and oranges.

Do any of you guys get cramps? Im starting to get lower back pain due to muscles tightening on occasion, im wondering if it’s a mineral deficiency.

Careful with Freshi- they use a lot of sugary sauces and their portion sizes are HUGE!

[riander5]

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I wouldn't say I cut out only meat. I follow a plant based diet for the most part. That was the only change I had to make as I was generally eating healthy to begin with.

Fair enough. I think the whole vegan thing is overblown and what the health was a fucking abomination, but if its actually working for you, then good on ya

[Kloubek]

Sure, I'll share what I'm going through right now because it's related to this topic.

So, for about 2-3 years now I experience pretty bad stomach pain from time to time. Usually late at night or early morning, and it seems to originate from just under my rib cage on the LEFT side. (Yet when it is full on, it affects my entire stomach area)

It will come on like a stomach ache but once fully developed a few minutes later I end up doubled over sweating with an elevated heart rate and moaning on the ground. The very first "attack" was a 9/10 pain and subsequent attacks have been anywhere from 3-8 on the pain scale. The pain lasts for up to 45 minutes and then will subside about 80% in a matter of 20-30 seconds. Sometimes the pain comes in waves and sometimes it's one attack and it's over. When I get repeated attacks, my stomach feels like it is in knots for up to a day.

Then as of a few months ago, my stomach started feeling unsettled virtually ALL the time. It can audibly be heard growling constantly, and my bowl movements are all over the place from constipated to outright butt explosion. It feels similar to being super hungry, yet my appetite is pretty low much of the time. If I exert myself physically to any degree (even for a few seconds) I want to hurl, as do I if I bend over. (In fact, I have spontaneously thrown up under those exact circumstances)

I have gallstones, but the surgeon didn't believe my symptoms quite matched gallstone attacks because people generally feel the pain where their gallbladder is on the right side. Had my stomach scoped a couple of weeks ago and it looks perfect. So the doctors have no idea what is going on, the attacks continue to happen every couple of weeks, and the discomfort/unsettled stomach has been going on for about 5 months straight. Every day, every hour.

In desperation I've done research and tried to flush out any possible issue that had similar symptoms. I ended up finding that Crohns disease, Celiac Disease, lactose intolerance and stomach cancer all seem to contribute similar symptoms. (Is it strange that not one of these things were mentioned by any doctor I've seen thusfar?) I ruled out stomach cancer after the endoscopy, and the symptoms seemed to most closely match Celiac disease.

So around Wednesday of last week I started trying to cut gluten from my diet. I'm not going to lie - I fucking hate it. Not only is gluten in many foods, unless you have a degree it is really hard to know what foods might have a form of it hidden in their ingredient list. I am not sure if it was just placebo effect but I almost immediately started feeling better with the stomach only being slightly unsettled. That was until night before last after I ate a lebanese salad with donair beef. That beef is processed and might have grain fillers/binders in it. An hour later, my stomach was all over the place again and I was on the toilet for an hour. I really don't know if the donair meat is a problem or if I even have Celiac disease, but this condition certainly did flare up after I ate that.

I have been told that it may take like, a MONTH for me to feel better on a gluten-free diet, and that's only if I am more careful than I have been since trying this. I really ought to get a test done, but I've heard even those are hit and miss. The doctor that did the endoscopy also suggested I go on a paleo diet, but I refuse to do that while I am already trying to determine if I have Celiac disease or not.

So I'm not really contributing anything here, unfortunately except to say that I can relate to how difficult it is to even go to a gluten-free diet. This sucks. I want a donut. As a side note, I also limit my red meat due to gout so I'm really starting to get limited in what I eat. Which sucks, since I love food and have never had to watch anything until now.

[tonytiger55]

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Sure, I'll share what I'm going through right now because it's related to this topic.

So, for about 2-3 years now I experience pretty bad stomach pain from time to time. Usually late at night or early morning, and it seems to originate from just under my rib cage on the LEFT side. (Yet when it is full on, it affects my entire stomach area)

It will come on like a stomach ache but once fully developed a few minutes later I end up doubled over sweating with an elevated heart rate and moaning on the ground. The very first "attack" was a 9/10 pain and subsequent attacks have been anywhere from 3-8 on the pain scale. The pain lasts for up to 45 minutes and then will subside about 80% in a matter of 20-30 seconds. Sometimes the pain comes in waves and sometimes it's one attack and it's over. When I get repeated attacks, my stomach feels like it is in knots for up to a day.

Then as of a few months ago, my stomach started feeling unsettled virtually ALL the time. It can audibly be heard growling constantly, and my bowl movements are all over the place from constipated to outright butt explosion. It feels similar to being super hungry, yet my appetite is pretty low much of the time. If I exert myself physically to any degree (even for a few seconds) I want to hurl, as do I if I bend over. (In fact, I have spontaneously thrown up under those exact circumstances)

I have gallstones, but the surgeon didn't believe my symptoms quite matched gallstone attacks because people generally feel the pain where their gallbladder is on the right side. Had my stomach scoped a couple of weeks ago and it looks perfect. So the doctors have no idea what is going on, the attacks continue to happen every couple of weeks, and the discomfort/unsettled stomach has been going on for about 5 months straight. Every day, every hour.

In desperation I've done research and tried to flush out any possible issue that had similar symptoms. I ended up finding that Crohns disease, Celiac Disease, lactose intolerance and stomach cancer all seem to contribute similar symptoms. (Is it strange that not one of these things were mentioned by any doctor I've seen thusfar?) I ruled out stomach cancer after the endoscopy, and the symptoms seemed to most closely match Celiac disease.

So around Wednesday of last week I started trying to cut gluten from my diet. I'm not going to lie - I fucking hate it. Not only is gluten in many foods, unless you have a degree it is really hard to know what foods might have a form of it hidden in their ingredient list. I am not sure if it was just placebo effect but I almost immediately started feeling better with the stomach only being slightly unsettled. That was until night before last after I ate a lebanese salad with donair beef. That beef is processed and might have grain fillers/binders in it. An hour later, my stomach was all over the place again and I was on the toilet for an hour. I really don't know if the donair meat is a problem or if I even have Celiac disease, but this condition certainly did flare up after I ate that.

I have been told that it may take like, a MONTH for me to feel better on a gluten-free diet, and that's only if I am more careful than I have been since trying this. I really ought to get a test done, but I've heard even those are hit and miss. The doctor that did the endoscopy also suggested I go on a paleo diet, but I refuse to do that while I am already trying to determine if I have Celiac disease or not.

So I'm not really contributing anything here, unfortunately except to say that I can relate to how difficult it is to even go to a gluten-free diet. This sucks. I want a donut. As a side note, I also limit my red meat due to gout so I'm really starting to get limited in what I eat. Which sucks, since I love food and have never had to watch anything until now.

Thanks for sharing. That was a interesting read.

I get something similar, stomach cramps, then the feeling of needing to go to the loo, my ass exploding when I get there. Then severe cramps, & then hot flashes. The pain in my stomach is so bad ive been close to blacking out or calling 911. Though there is no pattern and its happens rarely. I did a allergy test but nothing really came up.

Stick with it. Im on the third week. I could kill for a juicy burger and a nice toasted bun right now... Hunger binges are starting to come back BIG TIME, I had to get a coffee (black) to keep my focus at work today.

craigcd, I hear what your saying about Fresshii. I noticed the sugar too. The portion sizes are ok for me, im not getting enough calories un my day anyways. I guess it helps with me getting rid of the Summertime Nenshi look.

[Kloubek]

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Thanks for sharing. That was a interesting read.

I get something similar, stomach cramps, then the feeling of needing to go to the loo, my ass exploding when I get there. Then severe cramps, & then hot flashes. The pain in my stomach is so bad ive been close to blacking out or calling 911. Though there is no pattern and its happens rarely. I did a allergy test but nothing really came up.

In a previous post you mentioned back pain. Is that the same pain you mention from the stomach? Where is it exactly.... Right side front, back, left side, high.... Low....? Does it appear connected to fatty food? Spicy food? Is the pain a bit after meals or all over the clock?

[tonytiger55]

Its Sacralic Joint/muscular. Its non related to the stomach.
Back muscles tighten up, lowerback locks up, mostly on left side. Left side/glute does not work as hard as right, thats the cause. I did yoga ages ago and it slowly addressed this. But because of this sickness, I cant do any activity.

But I noticed my the back tightness happening last week. Then decreases as muscle relaxed over few days. Happened again Monday. Im thinking electrolights/minerals deficiency as im figuring out what the fuck to eat half the time and body is adjusting to different foods (or lack of) coming in. I cant meal prep as much as im so sick. Last sunday I was so sick I could not get out of bed to make food.

[finboy]

Non-fatal heart attacks seem to be a thing in my family, I decided I’d rather not deal with that and get my diet under control about a month ago. Diet has never been an issue for me as I’ve always been a skinny guy, I thin the heaviest I’ve ever been is 155 at 5’9, but my grandpa was skinny and needed a quadruple bipass in his 60’s (lived to 91). Because I never looked overweight, and I’m a big fan of convenience, grabbing food on the go was always easiest, with fast food being the top choice.

Now that I’m in my 30’s, age is catching up to me, and small signs (flexibility is non existent, holding some weight around my waist), I’ve started to realize I’m no longer an invincible teenager. I started pulling things out on a week by week basis as cold turkey has failed in the last when life gets stressful and I don’t have time to plan.

First week was meat, with exceptions for special meals and going to people’s houses (I don’t want to be that guy, I have no dietary restrictions that aren’t my own choosing). I used to eat meat at almost every meal and skip breakfast so this was tough. Second week I was so happy I cut out candy and only drank water (I don’t drink much, but I LOVE energy drinks and candy). This was VERY hard, when I was bored at my desk all I could think of was running down to the convenient score to grab a red bull, I countered this with over the counter caffeine pills and am working myself off those by trying to get a better nights sleep and exercise. After the first two weeks it was way easier dropping things, donuts were week three, chips week four, etc.

Meal prep is a pain and my gf definitely wants me to help out with it more, so I will be trying to find some classes on cooking healthy. Luckily she is on boars with the new diet as she does have digestive problems. I could see this being a way bigger issue if those around you don’t want to change as well, cooking for one sucks. During the day I usually bring carrots and almonds, I sit at a desk all day so I don’t burn many calories, it’s easy to stave off hunger with these foods and plenty of water.

Things I have noticed, results were pretty surprising for getting more mid section definition without even working out much. I also started reading labels of “healthy” choices at Safeway, very depressing and makes you move towards raw ingredients. Because I’m not relying on convenience as much, there are dollar savings in making my own food, but you definitely pay more for convenient healthy meals if you can even find them downtown.

[riander5]

If you guys are feeling hunger pangs, experiment with bulletproof coffees. For me I can have one in the morning and dont get hungry until around 2pm. Ill only eat before then if I workout at lunch

[tonytiger55]

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Non-fatal heart attacks seem to be a thing in my family, I decided I’d rather not deal with that and get my diet under control about a month ago. Diet has never been an issue for me as I’ve always been a skinny guy, I thin the heaviest I’ve ever been is 155 at 5’9, but my grandpa was skinny and needed a quadruple bipass in his 60’s (lived to 91). Because I never looked overweight, and I’m a big fan of convenience, grabbing food on the go was always easiest, with fast food being the top choice.

Now that I’m in my 30’s, age is catching up to me, and small signs (flexibility is non existent, holding some weight around my waist), I’ve started to realize I’m no longer an invincible teenager. I started pulling things out on a week by week basis as cold turkey has failed in the last when life gets stressful and I don’t have time to plan.

First week was meat, with exceptions for special meals and going to people’s houses (I don’t want to be that guy, I have no dietary restrictions that aren’t my own choosing). I used to eat meat at almost every meal and skip breakfast so this was tough. Second week I was so happy I cut out candy and only drank water (I don’t drink much, but I LOVE energy drinks and candy). This was VERY hard, when I was bored at my desk all I could think of was running down to the convenient score to grab a red bull, I countered this with over the counter caffeine pills and am working myself off those by trying to get a better nights sleep and exercise. After the first two weeks it was way easier dropping things, donuts were week three, chips week four, etc.

Meal prep is a pain and my gf definitely wants me to help out with it more, so I will be trying to find some classes on cooking healthy. Luckily she is on boars with the new diet as she does have digestive problems. I could see this being a way bigger issue if those around you don’t want to change as well, cooking for one sucks. During the day I usually bring carrots and almonds, I sit at a desk all day so I don’t burn many calories, it’s easy to stave off hunger with these foods and plenty of water.

Things I have noticed, results were pretty surprising for getting more mid section definition without even working out much. I also started reading labels of “healthy” choices at Safeway, very depressing and makes you move towards raw ingredients. Because I’m not relying on convenience as much, there are dollar savings in making my own food, but you definitely pay more for convenient healthy meals if you can even find them downtown.

Check out superstore. Some locations run cooking classes, I did mine at Heritage. Not so much participating.
I took one for Thai food (I fucking LOVE THAI FOOD). They have a chef cook in front of you. He went through each ingredients one by one and showed how to make the paste from scratch. The he calmly cooked three dishes, explaining the process with tasters.
What I liked was how calm he was through the whole process (when I first started cooking Asian food I looked like a fat man huffing around the kitchen.). I found it useful seeing how my favourite cuisine is made by a pro as it helped refine small details that i was getting wrong.

Just found the link.

http://www.pccookingschool.ca/LCLOnl...B&city=Calgary

[finboy]

Cheers, will look into that

[Kari_310]

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I can't eat fried stuff, or wheat (bun) *sigh*..do you know if the Veggie burger at Burger King is flame grilled?
I coud kill for a whopper right now..

Yes they are flame broiled and on a separate belt than the whoppers but on the same belt as the grilled chicken.

[Kari_310]

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I have been told that it may take like, a MONTH for me to feel better on a gluten-free diet, and that's only if I am more careful than I have been since trying this. I really ought to get a test done, but I've heard even those are hit and miss. The doctor that did the endoscopy also suggested I go on a paleo diet, but I refuse to do that while I am already trying to determine if I have Celiac disease or not.

So I'm not really contributing anything here, unfortunately except to say that I can relate to how difficult it is to even go to a gluten-free diet. This sucks. I want a donut. As a side note, I also limit my red meat due to gout so I'm really starting to get limited in what I eat. Which sucks, since I love food and have never had to watch anything until now.

It took me 2 months to get the gluten out and 6 months to stop craving it every day/feeling endlessly hungry. Eating gluten free is a lot easier now a days since the ingredient list must list all common allergies clearly, wheat being one of them so no more guessing if "food coloring" has wheat in it or not.
Watch out for lactose and eggs once you go fully gluten free those are the 2 most common foods to give you trouble after (your body is finally healed from celiac and now absorbing them for the first time fully).
I still eat cheese with lactose pills and 1 egg at a time but all 3 have very similar symptoms.

As for lunch ideas, i stick strictly to leftover dinners (make dinner for a family of 4) or salads (prep work) or soups when i'm in a hurry.
Mexican and asian dishes are best for leftovers at lunch.

[bigbadboss101]

In general I think we now know we all need to eat more greens for the micro nutrients. Lot of greens, some fruits, good lean protein, fiber, etc etc. My wife is vegan, I am the opposite. I found myself eating a lot more veggies now and cutting down on gluten, processed meat and processed food.

Vegetarian is one thing, vegan is another. My wife is now doing a 20+ day juice fast. My opinion is that it might be good for a few days. Any longer we will be short of fiber, protein, and other nutrition. Plus any weight loss will be back on once back to eating normally, eg. bread, pasta.

[johnlennon]

Everyone I know who has cut out milk completely eventually can never have Ice cream / certain desserts / fancy starbucks drinks ..etc, etc. Or if they go to a restaurant and their meal tends to have more cream then they expected, they usually have to use the bathroom after they finish. I have cut down on dairy a ton but I will still have it every once and a while just so that I don't have the same symptoms as my friends.

[nzwasp]

What sort of things do you guys that have gone vegan eat as snacks when at home - I would not consider myself any of those things but we do tend to cook around 20% of our meals as vegan or vegetarian.

I love eating carrots and garlic flavored hummus and also been eating tonnes of those green onion pancakes from superstore lately.

[Kloubek]

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It took me 2 months to get the gluten out and 6 months to stop craving it every day/feeling endlessly hungry. Eating gluten free is a lot easier now a days since the ingredient list must list all common allergies clearly, wheat being one of them so no more guessing if "food coloring" has wheat in it or not.
Watch out for lactose and eggs once you go fully gluten free those are the 2 most common foods to give you trouble after (your body is finally healed from celiac and now absorbing them for the first time fully).
I still eat cheese with lactose pills and 1 egg at a time but all 3 have very similar symptoms.

Sorry - I don't understand this. Why would I need to watch out for dairy? Because my body wasn't fully absorbing them due to the celiac disease? (If that's what I actually have).

I have a lot of research to do....

[tonytiger55]

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What sort of things do you guys that have gone vegan eat as snacks when at home - I would not consider myself any of those things but we do tend to cook around 20% of our meals as vegan or vegetarian.

I love eating carrots and garlic flavored hummus and also been eating tonnes of those green onion pancakes from superstore lately.

I eat Kiwi''s..

No just kidding. Im still learning, right now its a been a shit ton of fruit, & pickles. Mostly grapes last two weeks.