The KInd Life Community Forum
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Hi, I just purchased The Kind Diet and love it! I have not eaten meat or dairy in a week. I notice a lot of the recipes call for soy products. I have read a little on the dangers of soy unless it is fermented. Dr. Mercola and others have really bashed using soy in our diets. That makes me a little nervous to incorporate it into my diet.
I personally cannot tolerate soy. I think it is healthier in limited quantities for most people, definitely. Fermented soy products are like miso, tempeh and tofu though--most of the soy products called for in The Kind Life are fermented. Don't drink soy milk! Have rice or almond instead.
Be SURE to stick to ORGANIC soy...it is non-GMO which is what you want. Soy is one of our most adulterated crops in the world (thanks Monsanto!) so be careful what you choose. The choice has to be personal.
I too read Dr. Mercola's newsletters and he does not recommend eating unfermented soy. He does not seem to be a fan of vegetarian or vegan diets...I became a vegan 2 months ago and I sometimes get nervous if it is really the best/healthiest thing for my body. I don't think I am getting enough protein and I seem to really be missing fish (I live in Tampa and that is the one thing I absolutely love). The other thing that makes me nervous is that it seems in order to be successful as a vegan, it is recommended that you take a B12 supplement...
If a way of eating is truely healthy, shouldn't you be able to get all you need from the food you eat? This question has really been bothering me :( Is my assumption wrong about the B12? I really hope so.....
Hi Abby! I'm a three-year vegan and I still miss fish sometimes, too! But not quite enough to go back to eating it! ;p I just finished reading Eating Animals, and it's got a pretty amazing section on the treatment of fish, both farmed and wild. Did you know that the pollution in salmon farms is so bad, the fish's eyes bleed??? (Each fish is 2.5 ft long and has about as much space as a bathtub.) That's so gross! Reading things like that makes me even more committed to remaining cruelty-free. Also, the longer you say "no" to something, the easier it gets!
My doctor is vegan, and YES if you are vegan you should take a B-12 supplement. In nature we would get B-12 from the bacteria in the soil our food is grown in that remains on the surface of fruits and veggies, but with modern farming this is not the case. So we SHOULD and WOULD be able to get everything we need from the food we eat, but due to the way our food is now grown it's no longer possible.
In addition, it's a good idea to invest in some flax oil for salad dressings and such, for the Omega-3s. And deliciousness ;) You can also get Omega-3s from walnuts (other sources exist, but I think walnuts are the best plant source).
You can do it!
Thank you Allison for your information and words of encouragement!!! I really appreciate it...I am not getting much support from my family, so when I get a little discouraged, my husband just tells me to stop eating this way. When I suggested the children become vegetarians, he kind of flipped out. My dad thinks I have lost my mind so sometimes I start to question my decision...
Abby, isn't it funny how being a veg can be labeled as "radical" rather than "consistent"? Most people believe we should take care of our health, the planet, and be good to animals. You are just following through with your beliefs!
Not having support is tough, but it can also motivate you to educate yourself as much as possible, which is definitely a good thing!
Perhaps you could suggest to your family a "Meatless Monday." I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult for your husband to give you ONE night a week for a veg/vegan meal!
My boyfriend of two years (we live together) is very supportive of my eating choices. I was vegan when we met. He is still and omnivore but eats MUCH less meat than before. Just wait, you will have an influence on your family without them even realizing it! And they won't mind at all! ;)
I love vanilla soy milk and cook with plain, but switched to Almond, however I miss soy now and then. Allison I miss fish, cheese and yogurt, other than that I am happy with the Kind Diet, Life !!
Future plans include saving for a vitamix to make own almond and cashew milks.
Take care and hang in there,,good health is the real issue for us and for the animals.
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