Seeking some feedback.

[LWolf]

I'm not a vegetarian or vegan; but would be moving in that direction if I could address some stumbling blocks. Feedback is welcome!

Stumbling blocks:

1. I have blood sugar problems. I've been hypoglycemic most of my life, and am now hyperglycemic. No insulin needed; it's all managed through diet. How? Frequent snacks between meals, deletion of sugar, honey, etc., deletion of high-glycemic carbs, deletion of processed foods,....the list goes on. Very limited amounts of whole grains and fruits; plenty of green things and...protein. Lots and lots of protein.

2. Hypothyroidism. Not low enough to require meds, but low enough to keep my metabolism slightly depressed. Handled through exercise and...diet. How? Avoidance of foods which depress thyroid function. What foods? Soy, peanuts, broccoli.

So; with the need for more protein, and the need to not include soy, where does the amount of protein I need to address blood sugar balance come from?

I do eat other nuts; but it can't all come from nuts, they are too high in fat!

[undergroundrailroad]

1. Hi LWolf

I am also a diabetic. My endocrinologist encourages me to eat small frequent meals. Sometimes this may be just vegetables. One thing I do use to augment a meat free diet is drink Glucerna shakes.

A little about Glucerna shakes

For People with Diabetes


Clinically shown to help manage blood glucose levels
Complete, Balanced Nutrition®
#1 Doctor Recommended*
*Among doctors who recommend liquid nutritionalsupplements to their patients with diabetes.

Glucerna Shakes and Snack Bars have been clinically shown to help manage blood glucose levels in people with diabetes.

Each 8-oz shake provides at least 25% of the RDI for 24 essential vitamins and minerals. Glucerna is also fortified with vitamins C and E. These antioxidant vitamins help protect against cell damage.

Glucerna Shakes are low in saturated fat and cholesterol, lactose free, and contain fiber. These scrumptious ready-to-drink shakes come in Vanilla, Chocolate, and Butter Pecan.

Hope this is helpful.

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[Elad]

2. Hi LWolf

I have a background in nutrition so hopefully I can shed some light on your issues. However, I'm not a doctor or a certified nutritionist or anything (standard disclaimer).

Whole grains and fruit are lower on the glycemic index because of the fiber content. Fiber lessens the impact of the carbohydrates and slows down the digestion. Fruit juices, and processed grains like white rice are where you run into problems. Whole grains are also good sources of protein.

As for protein, not only are plant sources adequate they are also preferable, because they come without the nasties such as saturated fat and other problems with meat/dairy sources. It's easy to obtain a high-protein diet from plant sources as long as you plan your meals, and your body will thank you.

There is conflicting evidence on the issue of soy and broccoli on the thyroid, but nearly all credible studies confirm a couple facts; a) soy does not affect the thyroid enough to show significant changes in your blood TSH value (a measure of thyroid function), and b) the negative affect on thyroid is only present for those who are deficient in iodine, so you can eliminate the problem by making sure you have sufficient iodine levels in your diet (or through supplementation).

Nuts, also, may be high in fat, but you have to realize that, like carbs, not all fats are bad. The idea that "all carbs are bad" or "all fats are bad" is not true. Saturated fats are bad, poly and mono-unsaturated fats, as well as omega-3/6/9 fatty acids, are good for you and also important for proper health, and eating them in adequate quantities will also help reduce your cravings for unhealthy fats.

I hope that helps.

[undergroundrailroad]

4. Excellent points!

I like soy and use it in my diet. Also the concept of good/bad carbs is a tool I use. My diabetic nutritionist created a diet for me taking all of my favorite foods and balancing them out through the day. This has worked for me and I have maintained excellent control with my glucose numbers.

Thanks for the information.

UGRR

[Ranec]

3. This is very difficult.

You can get some protein from nuts or wheat gluten. Or dairy.
Find sources of protein from farmers that treat their animals better.

My advice is to decrease your dependence on animal proteins without feeling that it is some sort religious restriction. There isn't a vegan police that will come around and make you feel guilty for the occasional pork rind.

I'm a moderate vegetarian who just wishes that more people gave these issues the sort of thought that you have.

[JudyM]

5. Rice with beans = 'perfect protein'

... or so I've heard.

[LWolf]

6. All helpful, good responses, thanks!

This is where I'm at now:

I eat eggs...from my 2 ancient hens, and from a friend's homestead. Free-range organic from both sources.

I eat some dairy. No milk; I eat non-fat plain organic yogurt, and some cheeses. If I want milk, I can milk my own organic goat's milk at the friend's homestead. I don't like it that much. I use organic coconut milk or cream instead of milk.

I eat all green things; fresh and frozen. Organic whenever possible.

I eat tomatoes, peppers, onions, and beans, also organic when possible. Including fresh and frozen soy beans. I just haven't done tofu.

I eat red meat once every week or two; grass-fed organic beef or buffalo.

I eat organic, free-range chicken several times a week, and wild-caught salmon once a week or so.

I eat plenty of nuts, just not peanuts. Almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, pistachios. Organic and raw.

I eat organic olive oil or virgin, cold-pressed organic coconut oil.

I sweeten things with stevia if I need sweeteners.

I drink a lot of herb teas; some from my own herbs, some purchased. Tulsi tea is a favorite that I buy.

I eat sprouted whole-grain bread in very limited amounts, if I can find bread made with no processed flour, no sweeteners, and no bad fats. I guess I should get a bread machine and bake my own. ;-)

I eat nut butters, and whole-fruit organic no-sweetener spreads in limited amounts.

If I were to start replacing animal products, I would probably start with meat before dairy or eggs; I just have to make sure that I have some protein at each meal. This morning I didn't; I had some oatmeal for breakfast, and experienced a blood sugar spike until my mid-morning "snack;" almonds. I should have put the almonds in the oatmeal.

I'll be experimenting with plant sources of protein, and hoping to find combinations that work. For now, every other day with no meat products is the goal; when I'm successful with that for awhile, I'll move ahead. Thanks again for all the input; I'll be lurking to pick up more good info!

[henslee]

7. You have a hen?! Cool. Recently been making Source-of-life enery powder

shakes. Don't know if your situation precludes the ingredients but worth a lool. Its by Naturesplus (naturesplus.com). Fat fee, soy based it contains vitamins, minierals bioflavenoids,enzymes, plant pigments, nucleuic acids, oils and herbs. Amazing stuff. Got it for my mom but ended up getting it for myself.