fruitandveggies

Yep, he just said on his live Q&A yesterday that "a heart healthy diet is a liver healthy diet is a gut healthy diet, etc" (paraphrasing, haha). I appreciate that he did go into each illness though since he covers all the science shown for each ailment as opposed to lumping it all together. I think that often people lumping science together is where we get some of the major misinformation we have out there, nutrition is very nuanced and detail is important. I love the daily dozen app too! I definitely don't make the list every day, but it helps guide my choices.

I don't really like any other brand than Field Roast. They all have that weird, old school fake meat flavor. Field Roast also makes amazing sausages and deli slices which I buy weekly. Also really amazing cheese slices! Really, all their stuff is the best!

Omg @Newme17 those look incredible! My hubby will love them, thanks for sharing! And PS, the Field Roast brand of hot dogs are the best!!

Congrats on switching to vegan! Such a great choice, I've never looked back when I went in 2003. I had RNY, but I've had no problem at all getting protein, I don't even need to pay attention to it and I still get more than what's required by my doc.

I have pho about once a week. Just up to you on how your body handles it!

They might have it! If you have a Whole Foods they will have it too. I think it tastes pretty close but I haven't had dairy in over a decade so I've all but forgotten the flavor. But you'll find that none of the vegan cheese are really JUST like dairy cheese. They are very tasty in their own right, but they're slightly different (ranging to VERY different). You can make some items that people would have no idea (like my queso or mac and cheese are a hit at parties) but some will just take a bit of adjusting. Again, it's still very tasty, it's just different from dairy.

Ooh, that looks amazing! Definitely try the Follow Your Heart grated parm with that. The other parms are just the sprinkle on type and wouldn't make that melty goodness on top. Going to try this!

This actually sounds like it would be super tasty with some extra firm tofu!

I've only had luck getting vitamins "covered" by my HSA. I had to get my doctor to write an Rx for them, but I can get reimbursed for them now. No dice for insurance coverage!

I'm in the same boat as you--my closet is quickly becoming empty and I literally have no fall or winter clothes! I don't want to invest in anything either because (coats especially) will get big really quickly. I'm thinking it's layers of leggings and hoodies this winter!

My surgeon's office says stretching is a myth too. I had RNY, but it's the same for sleeve. I feel like once your stomach heals and no longer has swelling, you'll be able to tell how much you will be able to eat normally. It can feel like it "stretched" because it's so much more than it was when you were healing. I can eat so much more than I thought I would be able to--a whole salad from Sweetgreen (which is a ton of roughage if you've never been there)! That's why it's so important to me to still use a bite timer (one minute between bites) and eat for 25 minutes at least. Otherwise I could easily eat too much, too fast.

I'm on Instagram! I'm raven_oak_and_stone

You guys are making this jaded old vegan very happy! <3 <3

Probably not a popular opinion, but I've never found Whole Foods to be that expensive. Sure, there are some pricey specialty items, but they have very cheap organic house-brand stuff and amazing produce sales. I can find organic and natural items there cheaper than I can at my local chain grocery store. But hey, if Amazon want to make it cheaper then I guess why not. Hopefully quality doesn't suffer for it though!

I used to run the DEXA at an office I worked at, it's fascinating! There is one nearish to me that specializes in body comp (many places just do bone density). Here it is if anyone is in the DC area: https://www.compositionid.com/services/dexa-scan/ I really want to do it!

I have the Fitbit Aria which is not only a lovely design, but syncs with many apps and auto recognizes you by weight. Fun fact, the battery had died on it (it told me for a month but I was lazy) so it forgot the last couple months. I got on and had lost so much it didn't remember who I was! Gotta love bariatrics.

I love vegan Heavy Metal Chef! Hail seitan! ;p ;p

@Apple1 you will love the book! Best 18 hours of my life. ;p And he's very aware and discusses known flaws in studies he reports on. Love that we know we're getting the best science.

No need to have a poor turkey loose his or her life! There are SO many other options. I am totally obsessed with Field Roast's hazelnut en croute roast. It's not health food, but it's really damn good. If you want something that's less decadent, they also have several other options that aren't encrusted in a pastry shell: http://fieldroast.com/product-family/roasts-loaves/ There's also the classic Tofurky http://www.tofurky.com/what-we-make/holiday/feast/ And the Gardein roast is delish! https://gardein.com/products/holiday-roast/

I wish I knew how much I'd be able to eat after the initial healing time! I'm still disturbed by it and I need to watch myself. It kind of seems now that I'm like a "normal" person who gets full after eating. Before I would have to have a truckload of food to be full. I get full now, but can still have a full sandwich with a side of popcorn and some fruit in one sitting, no issue. Very important for me to track all my food.

Don't worry guys, 3-6 week stall is a real thing and it seems to have happened to everyone I've talked to. What broke it for me was getting in more calories. Just a bit more, nothing crazy. It will pass!

Ah, I see, cool. According to her surgeon it's normal to be swollen for 6 months to a year! I think her swelling went down totally by about 8 months. However, it's not swollen like a snowman, it's more like fluid retention a bit in the area. It may be a CYA for them since you might not look exactly as you imagined right away because you could be swollen for a while. You'll probably still be wearing a binder though at that point, so that might help you fit in a dress!

Congrats!! That is so exciting. My mom had it done and I will tell you she was not a happy person at six weeks out. Try to not do any bridesmaid chores, and save all your pleasantness for when you absolutely have to be nice. Her surgeon gave her a pamphlet about how this surgery affects you psychologically and that's right about when she hit a major depression (right in line with what the "schedule" he gave her said). That being said, you might be totally fine. My mom is 58, so if you're younger you might be running around with joy already by then! Just take care of yourself. And good luck!!

Here's another book you all might enjoy: The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell. One of the largest, most comprehensive studies ever done on nutrition. Someone mentioned Dr. McDougall, his approach (along with his peers like Dr. Neal Barnard of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and his son Rip Esselstyn of Engine 2, Dr. Joel Fuhrman) started from this research. Of course they all went an to do their own studies on patients and continued to prove that a WFPB diet is the best option for optimal health and longevity. Check out the book! It's on Audible too.

Let me just say having been vegan for over a decade--I'm still glad I got WLS! It's so incredibly easy to get vegan junk food and to just eat way too much, healthy or not. I credit being vegan with having no health problems and looking younger than my peers, but I think the combo of both WFPB and WLS is the best for people who have serious eating/obesity issues. It would eventually catch up with me. Also, I love that you're sharing all the Nutrition Facts vids on here! Are you totally obsessed with Dr. Gregor now like I am?? I mention his name at least once a day!