Eggs, protein, and adrenals

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Permalink Reply by Ana on October 7, 2008 at 9:41pm

ALl I have to say is that even though I love the raw diet and appreciate everyones views on raw or vegan or vegetrain eating, as an almost Anthropology major, I really think that eggs are very very healthy for humans. We've been eating them since...well.. human existance. Also, eggs contain all the proteins, amino acids, etc that it takes to create a living creature, and although that makes it sad that you are eating a living creature, the point is that it contains all these really really good things for you. Everything in that egg is used to create a living thing, so your body needs it as well. Even when I am doing as much raw food as I can, I will still eat eggs for this reason. The same with fish and wild game. Its a toss up becaues I dont want to eat animals, but at the same time, everything Ive read relating to anthropology says that as humans, thats what our whole evolutionary existance has been based upon, and that we should eat it. AS LONG as its completley natural and organic, with NOTHING added.
Sorry if this post is worded poorly. I am on a ton of vicodin from getting my port removed yesterday haha. But I hope it makes sense.

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Permalink Reply by DancingLight on October 7, 2008 at 10:13pm

Thank you, Ana. I needed to hear that. I appreciate you responding to me during such a vulnerable time. I hope that you heal well.

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Permalink Reply by (d)Marie on October 8, 2008 at 1:18am

I have to agree with Ana. I think that eating organic meats are the best way to go. I have been vegetarian for years - mostly because I started having problems digesting meat (probably an early symptom of my disease...a big DUH moment for me.) But, I don't think that any one diet is right for anyone. One person may thrive on a vegan diet, while another may do better eating some meat. It's my belief that it is part of the evolutionary process and how your ancestors ate. I have sensitivities to eggs and dairy. This sucks, because I love cheese and yogurt, but for me it's a matter of what do I love and what do I need to eat (or avoid). I prefer not spending my day in the bathroom because I ate something my body cannot tolerate.
I still believe you are better off having a balanced diet of nice organic foods, including meats and fish, rather than a diet of Ho-Ho's. You have to find what works right for you.

Good luck to you, I hope you are able to strike the right balance and that you have happy and healthy adrenal glands! :)

Dawn Marie

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Permalink Reply by althea on October 7, 2008 at 11:25pm

I recently had a copy of Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon from the library. It spurred a thread I started about sources of B12. Apparently, we have a picky protein, aka intrinsic factor, that thumbs its nose at B12 from plant sources and uses B12 only from animal sources. Sources of absorbable B12 include: liver, kidneys, eggs, milk, seafood, meat, poultry and fish.

I'm currently an omnivore. I'm also a breast cancer survivor, and I want to improve my eating habits to improve my chances of never getting mets or a new primary. I go back and forth like a tennis ball at wimbledon. I like the idea of being vegan. Getting it past my lips every day is a different matter.

Then there's issues such as Ana mentions -- where are the primitive people who follow a vegan diet? I'm not aware of any, and there's plenty of examples, such as eskimos, who have a diet of 80% animal products. And they're healthy too. But then the arguments about the length of our digestive tract and the design of our teeth are very compelling that we should eat plants for our food. But then, if we're meant to eat solely plants, what's up with that picky protein that won't absorb plant-based B12? But then our savvy sister Bren learned that we can satisfy our need for B12 even when the instestine is missing the intrinsic factor altogether by taking sublingual B12.

I'm not sure where I'll end up with my food dilemma. I do object to the way animals are treated, with their crowded conditions, medicated to the brink of deformity, eating food contrary to their natural habits. I eat meat but I'm quite certain I am far too much of a wuss to ever butcher it myself if I were to set foot on a farm. Yet to not eat meat requires reprogramming a whole lifetime of eating habits.

My suggestion to you is to learn and never stop. Learn about the way our food makes its way to market. In Defense of Food is a good read. It will be eye opening and will help guide some of your choices.

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Permalink Reply by Deborah on October 8, 2008 at 12:43am

This is simply my perspective on being vegan or becoming vegan and/or meat in the diet.

I became a vegetarian in the 70s, when I was about 25 years old. I read the book, "Diet for a Small Planet" and it made so much sense to me. I was never a big meat eater anyway because we just didn't have it a lot when I was growing up and I remember being annoyed with having to chew it so much. Also, we lived near a Marhoefer Packing Plant (hotdogs, bacon, etc.), and the sounds and smells that drifted in our direction made some kind of impact on my psyche regarding the consumption of anything with a face. It was fairly easy for me to give meat up, but it took me years of experimenting and learning to actually make the transition to vegan. I had to learn how to love foods like quinoa, and seaweed, and barley malt, tofu, brown rice, etc.

There is a definite learning curve. Get the best books you can find with easy recipes you can create without having to buy a lot of expensive staples in the beginning and work towards the goal of replacing your pantry with healthier food choices. In the past, when asked, I've advised friends to maybe start with not eating meat on one particular day of the week, like Fridays. Do that for awhile, and then add more days until you're 50% vegetarian. On the days you are primarily vegetarian, also be vegan one day. Eventually, you get the hang of how to do it, and the whys will make themselves clear. You'll feel better, cleaner, and most likely, will lose some weight.

Whatever the benefits you experience, you'll also find that food can be really fun and the opportunities to be creative are endless. If you give up meat, eventually you won't miss it anymore.

Best,

Deborah

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Permalink Reply by Hopalong on October 8, 2008 at 9:02am

I recently went to a Natruropath who believes that eating for one's blood type is important (based on the book of the same name). I had recently switched to a alkalizing diet eating and drinking lots of greens...and felt lousy. She felt it was because I was not adding enough protein to my diet. I was told to make sure I have protein with every meal...lots of fish, beans, nuts, eggs etc. I am type O+ and I have felt better since doing just that. Not sure if it's blood type or what...but some of us just do better eating some forms of animal protein. Right now I am staying away from red meats and trying to eat chicken only once a week, soy once or twice a week. I'm concentrating on fish, beans and almonds as my primary source of protein. But I also add eggs a few times a week for breakfast. I try (but am not always successful) to make a juice or smoothie at least once a day...if I make it for breakfast, I ad Hemp Protein.

Lorri

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