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!

@summerset Totally going to steal this line when I talk to others.... Of course I eat only clean food - who'd want to eat soiled food?

15 minutes ago, summerset said:

I think they're talking about the increase in insulin secretion in healthy subjects not about blood sugar elevation in diabetes patients. That's a difference.

This is what I am researching now. I know from my bs testing, grains, whole or otherwise raised my blood sugar quite a lot. It could be that my insulin secreation was also higher, but I can't test that at home.

My diabetes is in remission since my surgery and I am off all medication except for my thyroid. I want to keep it that way so I am going to research this well before I dive in.

I have the book on my kindle now.

Have you still the possibility to test your blood sugar levels after meals? Might be the easiest way to find out if foods like grains still raise your blood sugar into undesirable numbers.

As for insulin levels: I don't believe there is the possibility of home testing. (unfortunately, I'm curious myself about this)

7 minutes ago, Newme17 said:

@summerset Totally going to steal this line when I talk to others.... Of course I eat only clean food - who'd want to eat soiled food?

I hate this talk about "clean food".

When other people telling me they're "eating clean now" I sometimes can't resist asking them: "U-huh, did you throw your food onto the dirty kitchen floor before your ate it, or what?"

Just now, summerset said:

I hate this talk about "clean food".

When other people telling me they're "eating clean now" I sometimes can't resist asking them: "U-huh, did you throw your food onto the dirty kitchen floor before your ate it, or what?"

hahaha!! That's funny! A bag of potato chips can be clean. LOL

Indeed.

Seriously. I don't like the term "clean food" because what's "clean" and what not seems to depend on the diet one is following.

20 minutes ago, summerset said:

Have you still the possibility to test your blood sugar levels after meals? Might be the easiest way to find out if foods like grains still raise your blood sugar into undesirable numbers.

As for insulin levels: I don't believe there is the possibility of home testing. (unfortunately, I'm curious myself about this)

Yes I still test my BS, but not as frequently as I did pre-surgery. I tested this morning and my fasting was 75, which is excellent.

I have been following a low-carb diet since December of last year. Before I had my surgery a low carb diet and 2 medications was the only way I could get my A1C down to acceptable levels. I have not tried a strictly plant based diet since having diabetes so I really don't know if it will work. I have just started reading the book, and so far it is very good.

My apologies to @Newme17 for getting this thread off the topic of the book and on to diabetes.

1 hour ago, Apple1 said:

My apologies to @Newme17 for getting this thread off the topic of the book and on to diabetes.

No need to hon! It's good conversation and it's all on the same subject of what's entailed in the book. I'm still waiting for that gasp! LOL

25 minutes ago, Newme17 said:

No need to hon! It's good conversation and it's all on the same subject of what's entailed in the book. I'm still waiting for that gasp! LOL

I don't want to skip ahead to chapter 10...lol so it might be a little bit. ?

The funny (or sad) thing is, I have been exposed to this type of information many many times over the years. I am even in the Adventist Health Study referenced in this book. I fill out this long questionnaire every year and send it in. I guess I am a "control" because I am an Adventist that still eats meat, but I don't eat pork or shellfish or fish without scales per the biblical dietary guidelines.

I am enjoying the book thus far.

1 hour ago, Apple1 said:

The funny (or sad) thing is, I have been exposed to this type of information many many times over the years. I am even in the Adventist Health Study referenced in this book. I fill out this long questionnaire every year and send it in. I guess I am a "control" because I am an Adventist that still eats meat, but I don't eat pork or shellfish or fish without scales per the biblical dietary guidelines.

You are in the book! That's so cool.

I'm slowly learning that the way I am going is a personal conviction and a spiritual one for myself. Although, if I didn't think of it in those contexts, then I would still benefit GREATLY following the whole foods plant based diet. So, I believe it's for everyone.

32 minutes ago, Newme17 said:

You are in the book! That's so cool.

I'm slowly learning that the way I am going is a personal conviction and a spiritual one for myself. Although, if I didn't think of it in those contexts, then I would still benefit GREATLY following the whole foods plant based diet. So, I believe it's for everyone.

I agree with you. I don't usually speak much of religion on forums but because it was in context of the research he did on the Blue Zones I shared.

I am up to the part about where he researches the history of increased protein in the diet. I am learning a lot and I have more research to do now. I know what I will be doing tonight....

13 minutes ago, Apple1 said:

I know what I will be doing tonight....

LOL...me too. I read before bed as well.

I love this site....nutritionfacts.org Yesterday, my brother came over stating that so many people are asking him "where do you get your protein from?" He rolled his eyes and said it was just ridiculous. I agree. It's a question that requires a carefully planned answer and this video helps. My husband told my brother to ask back, "why do you believe you don't get protein from plants?" I think that'll stump many.

Anyway, enjoy! https://nutritionfacts.org/video/do-vegetarians-get-enough-protein/

My copy arrives tomorrow! Also got his previous book Guide to weight loss Surgery.

12 minutes ago, smooshycheeks said:

My copy arrives tomorrow! Also got his previous book Guide to weight loss Surgery.

I think he cringes with his previous book. He goes along with the high protein diets in it. Unless he did a book geared towards wls and eating a Whole Foods plant based diet??? Did he? I'd totally buy it if so.