What Happens When You First Go Vegan? | The Exam Room Podcast

What can you expect when you decide to adopt a plant-based diet? How should you prepare? What health benefits will you experience? Are there any downsides? Lee Crosby, L.D., R.D., has the answers in a new segment from The Exam Room podcast! PCRM.org/Podcast

[humblebee]

You can also soak your rice and legumes (beans, lentils, etc.) in water overnight and rinse a couple times before cooking to reduce the gas causing effect. :)

[veganjem]

been vegan for 24 years, I didnt lose weight when I became vegan, I was vegetarian.. been meatless for 44 years..on and off with veganism in that time.. the main thing I noticed was I needed less sleep and my mind is clearer.. previous to giving up my addiction to dairy, my mind was foggy.. now am much clearer..

[MotherMaples]

I went cold turkey, and I am glad I had privacy at home... lol. It passed and IBS is a thing of the past. To all of you starting now... keep going, the foods on this plate will love you back.

[pri.sci.lla.]

Been vegan for two weeks and I'm never going back.

[lorraineshobajo]

I’m a type 2 diabetic and I went in a plant based diet! YES YES IT DOES LOWER YOUR SUGARS and it’s good although just last night I awakened at 10 pm and was at 68 do I ate some yogurt and at 3 am had got up to only 86! That’s still low for me ( doc want me at 120) but I’m good with the results overall. Very soon I’m be diabetic free!

[Zenjohnny]

Went pescatarian overnight 2 years ago from a high meat diet and I couldn't stop going to the bathroom for the first week. lol when I transitioned to a 100% vegan diet six months later I didn't have any issues!!

[JoeRivermanSongwriter]

I'm 5 months in and feel great.
Was dizzy for a few weeks but that went.
Now I feel ten times stronger.
My muscles feel mega ripped and I don't really work out.
People I've not seen for a while are asking how come I look so well.

[jeremyleonbarlow]

Where do you get your protein? The same place chickens, turkeys, cows, pigs, and fish get their protein, from the plants we eat.

[davidcripps]

Years ago, when my diet was more meat based, I had gas issues. Over the years I've gradually reduced my meat and increased my fibre and haven't had gas issues for decades. Now I'm vegan, there's been no change

[betzib]

I just ate a huge bowl of oats w almond milk with cinnamon and berries..and my stomach knew it was full and i told it to shut up...and still ate too much...because it just tasted sooo good.

[broddr]

Good tips for people going from omnivore to vegan. I went from vegetarian to vegan, no gas or bloating issues. And I ate more, but still lost 16 pounds and 2 inches off my waistline without trying. Probably from no longer consuming all the fat in dairy cheese.

[juliojennymartinez]

Love your interview! I've been vegan for 3 months and was struggling with my weight and since I've been vegan, dropped 15 pounds already!😊😜

[Conrad-Blue]

I really enjoy Lee Crosby! I always learn great things from her sessions as a beginner vegan in my fourth month! Thanks!

[swisstrader]

I killed it aft going vegan. Lost 15 pounds in month one and lost my spare tire of 20 years. Body feels great and mind is alert. Great choice!

[signedup]

Should have mentioned the inflammation reduction.  It may not happen immediately.  My experience was the remedy of somewhat persistent edema in my left foot and ankle area.  The edema started after a biking accident.  Doctors and specialist could not diagnose it.  My foot would not be swollen all the time; When it did swell my protocol was to elevate the foot for 20-30 minutes at the end of my day.  For more than a decade I did that.  Long story short, after about, I want to say 2-3 weeks, maybe 4-6, one evening just before dinner, I'd sat in my chair for my nightly protocol of such a day:  To take off my shoe and sock, to elevate my swollen foot.  To my jaw-dropping surprise, their was no swelling.  Mind you, I am lactose intolerant.  So I'd been on plant-based milk for years.  And just as information, I'd been off the four-legged 'meats' for a decade.  So I'm not sure what, besides, my diet was the 'cure' for my persistent edema.  Maybe the remaining dairy, something in the fast food, an increase in nutrients from more vegetables and fruits.  You still can be overweight as a vegan eater.  I love me some vegans.  I have found that plant-based whole foods is the motto, category, mantra or whatever you want to call it for me.  It helps me minimize the processed foods which are vegan but not the better choice.  I notice that my lunches remind me of my childhood when my mom prepared a small bag of food for school.  I have a container of my main meal, a container of fruit and a tiny container for a snack (a couple of cookies and/or trail mix).  Consistency is the key

[feelingoffbalance]

I actually have less gas on vegan. Mind you, I was eating loads of fibre while being and omnivore so I have not been feeling the sudden increase in fibre. I think I have less gas now because my food transit time is faster. Also, my general BO, mouth odour and poo and gas are all dramatically different. I mean big time difference... My shit don't stink!:-)

[ValseInstrumentalist]

Before I went vegan three years ago, I had slowly slipped into a phase, so before I knew it I was up from my normal 165 to 185. Going vegan got me down to 177 and for three years I fluctuated around that weight, continuing to eat vegan junk food several times a week. For me, being vegan basically prevented further weight gain, but didn't lead to weight loss. But it wasn't until I went completely starch-based when the COVID crisis happened a few weeks ago that I really started to notice a difference. In a few weeks I'm down 15 pounds and the downward trend continues. Thanks to legumes and grains with no oil or processed foods.

[citadelofwinds]

For issues in adjusting to beans, there are products and spices that can be used to reduce gas, eg Bean-zyme, ajwain seeds, asafoetida, turmeric, ginger.

I went vegan a couple of months ago, and did the slow adjustment, so there were minimal issues with digestion. However, I noticed the body has become more sensitive to foods that are not so healthy - particularly many processed foods and including any foods with too much fat.

Such experiences have made it clear that it's not enough to go vegan, but the diet has to minimise or cut out processed foods, and keep fats as low as possible (no added oil), especially if you have delicate digestion.

[wk]

that's reassuring i lost tons of weight too. and i wasn't trying. but feel fantastic.

[EmilyRhinier]

Great interview! I like that you talked about the beginning issues, but that they will pass. Our bodies are meant to eat this way 😊😊😊😊