I know this was mentioned before here in the Vegans/Vegetarians forums and I wanted to maybe start this thread for all things pertaining to the book that Dr. Garth Davis authored, Proteinaholic. So far I'm on chapter 6 of it and I'm just amazed with how sound it is and all the studies that are out there to support why we don't need such a high amount of protein, and why it's a culprit of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.... There's just so much to talk about if anyone wants to get into discussion. Now, this thread IS NOT going to be for debate. I do not want anyone coming on here advocating high protein and what they "know" and debating with any of us who are or evolving into plant based, vegans or vegetarians. I want to share the things I've learned from the book and if anyone wants to challenge those, READ THE BOOK FIRST, and then you can come and talk about it. If you don't or haven't read the book, feel free to read the things that will be posted...and do your own homework to find these facts/truths out for yourself. I literally don't have time to do a protein ping pong match...so don't start one. You will be ignored.

Okay, with that said and out of the way, the first thing I want to mention is that Dr. Davis actually dispels the myths about protein and why our bodies don't need so much. It is not an opinionated book, it's a science/fact book. It makes TOTAL sense. He is quite comical too. The parts where he plays out his doctor/patient dialogues hit me the most...because I can relate to how I was educated about protein being what we all need. I had the same mentalities as he did regarding it, but after I started watching documentaries on plant based diets for the past couple of years, I've slowly become open to all the health benefits of eating plant based. But now, even though I knew plant based is great for the health, I didn't know that the protein component was/is what was causing so many problems in my health, my husband's, etc. Now, I've got science and truth to understand the premise of protein. The history of why, what Dr Davis talks about, we western society pick apart whole foods and live based off of macronutrients. Now, it just boggles me why we do that. The other thing that rings true and is nice knowing, is that he is a bariatric surgeon too. He knows what he's coaching/telling his patients. He knows that he was not a nutritionist, didn't know a single thing, but the one hour of nutrition studies in his school days, but he took the time to dive into history, studies, reports, etc to bring light to why western society is so unhealthy, and most of it is based on animal protein.

Wow.

Read the book!

On 8/17/2017 at 11:58 AM, CattMyst said:

On a side note, in immediate post on, my surgeon told us that I had NO VISCERAL FAT on my organs!! Completely unheard of for a 300lb person!!

How long have you been eating this way?

And I'm trying to figure out how you got to be heavy if you have been eating this way for a while. And if you haven't been at it long.. how quickly it must work to clean up those organs..

(I know tone doesn't carry over the written word well, but I am asking with honest curiosity, not any kind of nastiness).

42 minutes ago, Berry78 said:

How long have you been eating this way?

And I'm trying to figure out how you got to be heavy if you have been eating this way for a while. And if you haven't been at it long.. how quickly it must work to clean up those organs..

(I know tone doesn't carry over the written word well, but I am asking with honest curiosity, not any kind of nastiness).

I'm curious too. Your question reminds me of results that that Dr Greger mentioned on his "HOW NOT TO DIE" pbs special about cancers and such, how eating plants and eliminating animal meats can combat certain diseases in as little as two hours. So, even though visceral fat might not be in the same category of diseases (is a major contributor though), MAYBE the plant based diet eliminates that to protect your organs as well??? This calls for some homework....?

Update: ah, Dr Greger mentions the question that needs to be asked is "where do you get your fiber?" This makes sense, A 2011 study from researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center discovered that an "increased intake of soluble fiber was associated with a reduction in belly fat." But it doesn't say for how long the benefits of a high fiber diet (that can come from a WFPB one) will result in the changes.

Edited August 20, 20178 yr by Newme17

@berry78@newme17

To answer as best as I can...
I have been eating about 70% plant based for a year or two, mostly due to turning 40 a few years ago & the ol' bod started getting goofy - LOL! I've never been able to digest red meat well anyway, so I don't miss it.

20 years ago I was put on Paxil to get through a divorce, and that was my undoing. I became a zombie. I gained 200 lbs in 2 years, mostly because I slept. I shut down. I'm not a binge eater, but anything I put in my mouth hung on in my zombie state. I've just been unable to get any sort of metabolism going since then. 20 years of 300+ lbs has taken its toll, but my BP & BS were always too low for insurance to cover surgery.

In Jan this year, I just got fed up. I've been studying voraciously all these years to be prepared for the sleeve, and stumbled across Proteinaholic a while back. I've since been studying Dr. Campbell (The China Project), whose research echoes and reinforces it. The date of my first consult, this go round, was May 24th. I came home and put myself on the VGS post-op diet then and there, only with WFPB veg. I stayed under 1000 calories as well. So, from May 24th to my surgery on Aug 7, I effectively lost all the visceral fat on my organs. My surgeon was amazed, as someone weighing 300 lbs ALWAYS has visceral fat. I attribute the loss to the caloric reduction and the WFPB fuel.
Does that help? Yes, there were some really tough days, but those were mostly during the liquid days. It. Was. Hard. Work. But I am proof the diligence pays off. And I feel better every day!

catt

Yes, this cleared it up nicely! Thanks! How much weight did you lose between May 24th and August 7th?

I lost an even 40 by myself, and 10 more since surgery. I'm SOOOO looking forward to my follow up appointment this week, so I can start soft foods. I miss my tomatoes and broccoli!!!

catt

40 is Fabulous!! Amazing!

Thank you so much! I love being a VegHead!! Cheers to continued great health for all!!

catt

12 hours ago, Newme17 said:

All that to say, I had the option of getting some kind of meal or pick up some junk food, but being WFPB has made my body pretty much want to reject those foods now. Which is all good!

Great job!!

I had the option today at a barbecue and I chose a veggie burger. I would not have made that choice 3 weeks ago. I am feeling really good about my decision.

I do wish there was a cooking course for vegan/vegetarian near me. I think it would be fun and educational to learn better ways of preparing these types of foods.

2 hours ago, Apple1 said:

do wish there was a cooking course for vegan/vegetarian near me. I think it would be fun and educational to learn better ways of preparing these types of foods.

I'd love to know more about and to try exotic/foreign produce and how to cook with them-or even just more international vegan dishes. I've been doing many meals from the vegan (and a few vegetarian) recipes on budgetbytes.com it's pretty much my go-to site now. I need to venture to others. I think there's only two recipes that I've (or my hubby) made more than once. Otherwise, we've been having a new meal most everyday for the past month or so! It's been quite fun.

If you can handle the attitude, Thug Kitchen rocks!!!!

catt

1 hour ago, CattMyst said:

If you can handle the attitude, Thug Kitchen rocks!!!!

catt

Oh wow. That language was a bit much for me. I didn't even get off the first page of the website. I think I will skip that site..but thank you for posting.

Oh wow. That language was a bit much for me. I didn't even get off the first page of the website. I think I will skip that site..but thank you for posting.

I realize they're not for everyone, didn't mean to offend!!

catt

20 minutes ago, CattMyst said:

Oh wow. That language was a bit much for me. I didn't even get off the first page of the website. I think I will skip that site..but thank you for posting.

I realize they're not for everyone, didn't mean to offend!!

catt

You warned me. I am

not offended at all. I wasn't sure what you meant by attitude so I checked it out. ? no worries.

Dinner at my house tonight.

Dinner at my house tonight.

YUMMERS!!!

catt