I've been slowly transitioning to a more plant based diet the past few months. I am almost a year out from surgery and have sustained goal weight since June. There are a variety of reasons that have persuaded me to drastically reduce my meat consumption. I've read many articles lately about the hormones in meat negatively effecting the human body. The hormone residues in food can increase the risk of breast cancer and other reproductive system cancers among women and may promote development of prostate cancer in men. It's estimated that two-thirds of the cattle raised in the U.S. are given hormones (usually testosterone or estrogens) to boost growth.

This concerns me since I've eaten more meat in the past year than I have in the three years prior combined. Many experts say that you should only eat meat if you know where it came from and how the animals were raised. Can you imagine sitting in a nice restaurant and asking the waiter if he can tell you about the farm the chicken was raised on and how it was treated?

Does anyone else worry about this? I'm not going 100% vegetarian, but I've drastically reduced my meat consumption. I'm actually eating venison for dinner tonight since I know its a safe choice.

Do Hormones in the Food Supply Affect the Human Body? http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/hormones-food-supply-affect-human-body-2194.html

Hormones In Food: Should You Worry? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/hormones-in-food-should-y_n_815385.html

I too am concerned about growth hormones in meat and dairy. I am not obsessive about it but I try to read labels and buy local and/organic whenever possible. Fortunately, I live in central Kentucky and we have a wealth of local food producers.

There are enough amish and organic farms around here that natural meat is readily available. Since I eat so much less than before, the price isn't really an issue. As more and more people start being awake about our food, I think the price will drop when it isn't a niche market.

The hormones in food along with sugar in everything are the reasons we are seeing record obesity and other issues.

Not just sugar but high fructose corn syrup. It is in everything. My surgeon spent about 20 minutes of his time during the last group pre-op session I attended educating us about high fructose corn syrup. He said it's the main reason we have an epidemic of cirrhosis of the liver in the U.S.

I too am concerned about growth hormones in meat and dairy. I am not obsessive about it but I try to read labels and buy local and/organic whenever possible. Fortunately, I live in central Kentucky and we have a wealth of local food producers.

I miss Central Kentucky. I miss Ramsey's. I miss good food. I'm also bummed I'll probably not have Ramsey's ever again.

The high froctose corn syrup talk sounds like my dr, Dr Weiss. He was very adiment not to eat them.

The high froctose corn syrup talk sounds like my dr, Dr Weiss. He was very adiment not to eat them.

You are correct. It was Dr. Weiss. I learned so much from him!

Me too. He is very talented.

All of this is concerning, including genetically modified crops. Especially as we are eating more meat/protein as a rule. Any and all info on this would be much appreciated! Reading labels is imperative, people.

I am trying to do my gardening without any chemicals (pesticides/herbicides), and am seriously considering raising quail and chickens. A lot of communities around here are allowing people to raise chickens, some up to a half dozen per city lot. If you're interested in it, check out your local agricultural extension office for regulations...

Thanks for the info!!!

There are other ways of getting Protein in the diet. I also had a surgeon who equated meat = protein. Higher rates of meat = higher rates of colon cancer. I believe (and need to check) there is only one article on the subject, but I'd wait to see because we all have higher risks of colon cancer because of faulty info from docs.

Personally, I think laboratory rats cause cancer.

@@4MRB4PHOTO Here you go:

http://www.benitaepstein.com/science%20cartoons/files/page22-1005-full.jpg

Edited September 22, 201510 yr by OKCPirate

It's been a concern of mine for a few years. Fortunately in Central Virginia, I'm surrounded by farmland and people here are fanatical about well-sourced food.

I buy organic milk from a small farm nearby. It's available at Whole Foods. I also find organic meat there and there's always plenty of info on the source of meat and fish.

There's another farm nearby called Polyface, which is renowned as an industry leader in organic farming (they're been doing it for decades). I swear there is no egg out there like a Polyface egg! Before I could take or leave eggs.

Buying well-sourced food gets expensive, but I figure that's the beauty of WLS. Smaller portions cost less!

PS I'm also lucky that so many local restaurants here focus on locally sourced food. They often reveal on the menu where items were sourced, especially if it's Polyface. You'd be stupid not to advertise that your meat comes from there.

In Virginia also. A little over 1/2 the backyard/sideyard are veggies & herbs. Fertilized by the bunnies, Starbucks, and hens and some Gardentone. Shroom and Moonure are available. I do pick your own farms. I'd kill to be where you are at gpmed.

I do not just organic but grass fed beef, free range (not just cage free) chicken, eggs, etc. I eat Dubliner cheese and use kerrygold butter both of which you can get at WalMart which is grass fed dairy. I am spending less on food than ever. My sleeve and body like it. I rarely eat out and when I do I just get whatever they have. I really like a "chopt" salad for lunch they use "free bird" chicken. And I get one salad and can eat off it for like 4 meals. I also like the fresh ingredients at Chipotle minus the rice or the tortilla. I just made my own pesto with organic basil. Yum yum. I will be putting on my slow roasted free range chicken and veggies (ratatouille).