Vegan

[Linski]

Are there any vegans about? Converted since diagnosis? Would like some advice.. support.. information … thanks in advance L

 

[Leadinglights]

Are there any vegans about? Converted since diagnosis? Would like some advice.. support.. information … thanks in advance L

Welcome to the forum
Why did you change to vegan as the most suitable foods for managing to reduce blood glucose levels are meat, fish, eggs, cheese, dairy, vegetables, salads but with smaller portions of high carb foods like potatoes, rice, bread, pasta, breakfast cereals and the obvious cakes, biscuits, sugary drinks including fruit juice which should be cut out all together.
There are quite a few people who are vegetarian and there are vegetarian recipes a plenty but vegan is more tricky.
Searching the internet for low carb vegan recipes may give you some meals you like.

How did you come to be diagnosed, what is your HbA1C and have you been prescribed any medication as that will help people make suggestions.

 

[Inka]

Are there any vegans about? Converted since diagnosis? Would like some advice.. support.. information … thanks in advance L

I’m not vegan but I eat a lot of vegan meals @Linski It’s perfectly possible to eat a vegan diet with diabetes. In fact, you’ll find that some people have managed to improve their diabetes by eating a low-fat plant-based diet.

I think @Eddy Edson is mainly plant-based. What would you like advice about?

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome from me too.

How long have you been diagnosed? Veganism is not an easy choice I think. Do you cook from scratch or rely mostly on ready made products available from the supermarket? As mentioned, removing dairy produce, meat, fish and eggs from your menu will make your diabetes management via diet more challenging, but if you are adventurous with food and cooking it is doable. If you are relying on supermarket ready meals and processed food, it may be less easy and probably less healthy..... but then that is relative to how you ate before you became vegan.

 

[helli]

Veganism is not an easy choice I think.

This is a common perception amongst meat eaters which I have been trying to stop.
There is less choice on a vegan diet but someone who understands food can eat just as well without eating meat products.
Even low carb is possible with things like tofu and nuts and seitan without considering fake meats if you want.

 

[Eddy Edson]

This is a common perception amongst meat eaters which I have been trying to stop.
There is less choice on a vegan diet but someone who understands food can eat just as well without eating meat products.
Even low carb is possible with things like tofu and nuts and seitan without considering fake meats if you want.

Absolutely. For protein, soy milk, tofu, tempeh, edamame, other beans, mushrooms ....

 

[rebrascora]

@helli Not saying you can't eat well. I am just saying that it probably involves more thought and planning, especially if you are new to veganism, because yes there is less choice. Not saying it isn't possible, but a lot of the meal suggestions we would normally make here on the forum would not be appropriate, so there will likely be a lot less input from people and that does make it more difficult and people may feel less supported as a result.

@Linski Would you like to tell us a bit about your diagnosis and how it came about? ie were you symptomatic or was it detected via a routine blood test? Have you been prescribed any medication as that can impact on the advice offered about diet.

 

[Eddy Edson]

I go back and forth between being vegan and adding some fish or chicken. As you probably know, it's not particularly difficult to get sufficient protein on a vegan diet.

The issue that the loudest voices here will probably go on about is carbs. Early on after being diagnosed & before I zapped my T2D via weight loss, I cared about carbs to some extent & basically I adjusted my diet to swap out grains, add more seeds, and cut down a bit on fruit & melon servings. Now, thankfully, I don't need to care about carbs for BG control and I can eat grain, fruit, melons without any particular restrictions.

From my perspective, dealing with T2D is mostly to do with losing weight and keeping it off, with carb restriction as just a temporary thing.

 

[helli]

@rebrascora I am just asking to stop referring to a lifestyle choice as difficult. As @Eddy Edson mentioned, there is plenty of choice. Sure less than if you eat anything but many meat eaters have restrictions too so how about dropping the adjective “difficult” when discussing any diet and focus on support?
I know you don’t mean it but, it comes across as judgemental.

 

[Inka]

@Linski Asi said I’m not vegan, as I said, but there’s no reason why a vegan diet has to be hard. Cook books I like are Oh She Glows Everyday by Angela Liddon, Eat To Live Quick and Easy by Joel Fuhrman and How Not To Die Cookbook by Michael Greger.

You could also look at the Forks Over Knives website, Joel Fuhrman’s website (he has a book about diabetes too) and the NutritionFacts.org website, which also contains lots of studies and videos.

There are also a few newer cookbooks out, eg this one:

Beating Diabetes with Diet: Sharon Palmer’s New Guide Provides an Approachable Plant-Based Plan

Forks Over Knives spoke to Sharon Palmer about her new cookbook that helps readers manage diabetes through a plant-based diet. Read the interview here!

www.forksoverknives.com

With a number of free recipes on the FOK site, eg:

Raw Purple Power Salad

This veggie-packed purple power salad is served raw with a simple lemon juice dressing to highlight the incredible flavors of the produce. Get the recipe!

www.forksoverknives.com

I’ve also enjoyed recipes from Darin Olien, and some of the Blue Zone recipes are vegan too.

Mastering Diabetes has recipes to reduce insulin resistance here:

Diabetes Recipes: Low-Fat, Plant-Based, Whole-Food Nutrition

Finally, the tastiest collection of diabetes recipes following low-fat, plant-based, whole-food nutrition. Get ready for a taste explosion!

www.masteringdiabetes.org

.

 

[nonethewiser]

My guess is that any diet is doable with diabetes.

There was 2 vegan guys that wrote some cookery books called Bosh, few years back they were never off tv & radio, have a look at those & adapt dishes accordingly.