Want To Try Going gluten-free Vegetarian

[yogamommytrainer99]

I have been gluten free for a while and I'd like to try going vegetarian (the lacto/ovo kind). I'm nervous because the gluten-free diet can be a bit tedious at times, and I don't know if I'd be making more trouble for myself. I also am a yoga instructor and a personal trainer, and I'm not sure if taking meat protein out of my diet is a good idea. The other caviat is my husband does not want to go vegetarian and the kids just couldn't give up their Bob Evans sausage on the weekends

Just wondering if anyone has any tips, suggestions, or comments...

[burdee]

You only mentioned reasons for NOT going gluten-free vegetarian (family, difficulties, etc.). Why do you want to begin a vegetarian diet? Do you have problems digesting meat? Or do you have ethical concerns?

I can't eat eggs or dairy due to diagnosed allergies. However I often enjoy vegan gluten-free meals, because I know how to combine grains and legumes or legumes and nuts to create a complete protein dish (with all the necessary amino acids). I've read that you don't necessarily have to combine those in the same meal, but I feel more satisfied if I do. If you need some menu ideas or more specific names of grains, legumes, nuts and seeds which can be combined, see "Diet for a Small Planet", one of the first books to promote vegetarian meals.

SUE

[yogamommytrainer99]

That's funny! I should list why's before why not's! I have trouble digesting red meat in particular. It seems easier to function in my yoga classes with non-meat foods in my system. I also am wondering if going vegetarian will alleviate some of the symptoms I still have after going gluten-free (bloating, diarrhea, gas). Thanks for the tip - I'll check out that book at my local library!

[burdee]

That's funny! I should list why's before why not's! I have trouble digesting red meat in particular. It seems easier to function in my yoga classes with non-meat foods in my system. I also am wondering if going vegetarian will alleviate some of the symptoms I still have after going gluten-free (bloating, diarrhea, gas). Thanks for the tip - I'll check out that book at my local library!

I also have difficulty digesting meats and fats (therefore, red meats). I recently took a Heidelberg capsule test for stomach acid production. MOST people have depleted stomach acid, rather than excess stomach acid, despite drug industry claims to sell acid blocking drugs. We need adequate stomach acid to digest proteins and provide the biochemical trigger to release bile to digest fats. Age, food allergens and other gastrointestinal problems can influence hypochloridia or even achloridia. I encourage you to find a doc who will administer that test.

SUE

[burdee]

I also have difficulty digesting meats and fats (therefore, red meats). I recently took a Heidelberg capsule test for stomach acid production. MOST people have depleted stomach acid, rather than excess stomach acid, despite drug industry claims to sell acid blocking drugs. We need adequate stomach acid to digest proteins and provide the biochemical trigger to release bile to digest fats. Age, food allergens and other gastrointestinal problems can influence hypochloridia or even achloridia. I encourage you to find a doc who will administer that test.

SUE

I forgot to mention that the Heidelberg capsule test showed I produce only small amounts of acid after a long time. So I digest food very slowly and not very well.

[GlutenFreeManna]

You can certainly try if you think meat is bothering you, however have you tried eliminating dairy or soy first? The reason I ask is because you said you still have bloating, D, etc. This could very well be from dairy or soy. Oh and another thing to mention is MSG-- if you are eating Bob Evans sausage it might be gluten free but does it contain MSG? I react to MSG so I avoid it like the plague. Maybe you should cut out all processed meat and opt for only fresh, organic meat choices instead? It may end up that meat is your problem (I cannot eat pork because of an allergy) or it may be that you react to the antibiotics and hormones they inject into non-organic meat these days.

I can certainly understand if you WANT to be vegetarian for whatever reasons. I attempted to be vegetarian for 5 years but I was not very well on that diet. I was always tired and bloated. I THOUGHT I was eating healthier but it was not good for me. I still eat some meat-free meals, but none with dairy 9beyond a little yogurt) or fake meat products made of soy. Whatever you need to cut out, I hope you can figure it out so you can feel better.

[lorka150]

I have been gluten free for a while and I'd like to try going vegetarian (the lacto/ovo kind). I'm nervous because the gluten-free diet can be a bit tedious at times, and I don't know if I'd be making more trouble for myself. I also am a yoga instructor and a personal trainer, and I'm not sure if taking meat protein out of my diet is a good idea. The other caviat is my husband does not want to go vegetarian and the kids just couldn't give up their Bob Evans sausage on the weekends

Just wondering if anyone has any tips, suggestions, or comments...

Hi there!

I am gluten-free and a vegan. I'm also a personal trainer and yoga teacher... I don't see WHY it wouldn't be a good idea to take meat out of your diet

Tips? Know how to cook and eat properly. Take advantage of all of the high-protein/nutrition grains, delicious proteins, and healthy fats.

Eat loads of vegetables, fruits, and eat a variety of foods!

And as for the whole compelte protein business, if you're not a vegan, you'll be getting that from dairy and eggs, but also the complete vegan proteins of soy, hemp seeds, quinoa and amaranth. Food combining and protein combining is not necessary in the same meal, but recommended over the course of a day or two. Ensure you're getting all your vitamins and minerals, too.

I speak about nutrition often and do presentations, written articles, et cetera. If you have questions, let me know.

[RiceGuy]

As others have indicated, avoiding meat shouldn't present a problem unless you go about it incorrectly. I don't eat any animal products (because I feel better without them), and actually get more protein in my diet than I need. Legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, etc can provide more than adequate protein. Plus, these foods also give you things which meat cannot, like fiber, and various minerals and vitamins.

I agree with the comment about avoiding processed foods too. I make my own "veggie" burgers, sausage, etc. It's not difficult, though you do have to put in the time to prepare your meals in a wholesome way. One of my favorite flours for pancakes is yellow pea flour, which is very high in protein.

You may also like using pea or rice protein powder in smoothies and such.

You mentioned family - does this mean you'd like them to follow your no-meat diet?

[lucia]

In India, yoga practice and a vegetarian diet are part of the same system. Of course, you can be healthy with a vegetarian diet. I think that vegetarians (and especially vegans) in the U.S. often have issues because we can't draw on cultural knowledge about a non-meat diet like vegetarians in other parts of the world. It takes self-education and extra work to be a healthy vegetarian in the U.S.. But you can definitely do it, and reap the benefits of eating vegetables instead of meat in every single one of your meals.

I'd suggest getting some books to help you. Not necessarily books with recipes, but books about eating with whole foods. You should be able to find books like this at your local health food store.

To be healthy, I think that you will need to add foods that the standard American diet doesn't include: nuts, seeds, beans, a variety of grains including quinoa, leafy green vegetables, and seaweed. You may have a learning curve at first as you learn to incorporate these foods into your diet, but it will be worth it in the long run.

There are always soy sausages for Sunday mornings.

[yogamommytrainer99]

I am two days into a vegetarian diet. I feel okay. My gut has been bothering me, and I am currently on steriods. I have ordered a couple books from my local library to read up on proper vegetarian nutrition. I hope this vegetarian trial lasts through the 4th of July holiday, as we are traveling and staying with relatives. I do have to say that my yoga has been feeling fantastic!

[lucia]

I am two days into a vegetarian diet. I feel okay. My gut has been bothering me, and I am currently on steriods. I have ordered a couple books from my local library to read up on proper vegetarian nutrition. I hope this vegetarian trial lasts through the 4th of July holiday, as we are traveling and staying with relatives. I do have to say that my yoga has been feeling fantastic!

That's great news - glad to hear you're feeling better. Family is tough, isn't it? I'm so glad I married into an Indian family of vegetarians. They see it as a positive that I don't eat meat.