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Watched Forks Over Knives last night and my husband joined me halfway through. He expressed an interest in also trying vegan. He is 3 years post MI as of tomorrow. I sort of think he would have a little more success with a gradual dietary change. Since I fix dinner nearly every night (not last night....the kids and he downed pizza while I ate my zoodles & meatless meatballs) it wouldn't be too difficult to just prep vegan or vegetarian meals. He pretty much eats whatever I fix without complaint. Obviously what he chooses to eat for breakfast and lunch are his choice and usually fast-food. It has been a long, slow process for myself to change my eating habits as well and I'm still not anywhere near 100%. I find ovo-vegetarian a little easier to maintain. I've toyed with vegan/vegetarian since his heart attack. But, didn't get very serious in transitioning to it until the past month. I began limiting red meat consumption to no more than 1 time per week. Then, I gave it up entirely for Lent. Mondays are now always 100% meatless (preferably vegan). Fridays are fasting days during lent with exception to one fish dinner. The rest of the days have been a combo of fish or poultry. But, I'm thinking about adding a second day out of the week now for vegan/vegetarian meals. Perhaps I need a Tofu Tuesday.
Things I am noticing since giving up red meat so far:
1. Weight loss has accelerated. I don't know if this is a result of fewer calories or the absence of red meat. I still have a lot of weight left to lose to get back where I was when I last logged my weight on here pre-baby. But, I went from dropping an average of 2 lbs per week to dropping 3 lbs last week.
2. Total cholesterol has went down to 175. In fact, all cholesterol markers with exception to my HDL are within normal limts. HDL is at 38. I am going to take another lipid panel in mid April to measure whether 40 days of no red meat has made any significant changes.
3. Energy levels are higher. But, again I am uncertain whether this is due to lower body weight or intake of more vitamins and nutrients through plant-based food.
4. I ran my fastest 5K time post-baby. Is it the zucchini or did I just seriously ramp up my exercise program? The jury is still out.
The plan going forward: I am not certain that I am totally committed to becoming vegan. However, I am committed to eating a greater plant-based diet and restricting red meat & dairy consumption. At least half of each meal will be comprised of fruits and vegetables every day. I want to consume no more than 1 serving of a meat-based (preferably fish or poultry) protein per day or less. I am restricting nuts to no more than an ounce per day. I am not ruling out whole grain intake, but again will restrict it to 2 servings per day or less. (I still fear the carbs! Ha!) I am limiting dairy to no more than one serving or less per day. I will retake a lipid panel right before Easter to gauge the effect on cholesterol. I will also check blood sugar though that hasn't seemed to be an issue since I had the baby.
So, let's see where this leads me. It can't be worse than drinking soda and eating pizza.
2MC
Diet Calendar Entries for 14 March 2017:
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1140 kcal
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Fat: 59.01g | Prot: 36.94g | Carb: 143.77g.
Breakfast: Spinach, Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Vanilla Milk, Bananas. Lunch: Avocados, Pace Pico De Gallo, Nature's Own 100% Whole Grain Sugar Free Bread. Dinner: Huy Fong Foods Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, Firm Silken Tofu, Bean Sprouts, Waterchestnuts, Woodstock Farms Organic Shitake Mushrooms, Bamboo Shoots, Taylor Farms Stir Fry Kit Sesame Chili. Snacks/Other: Blue Diamond Bold Wasabi & Soy Sauce Almonds. more...
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2203 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Elliptical - 45 minutes, Sleeping - 23 hours and 15 minutes. more...
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