The KInd Life Community Forum

I have suffered with stomach issues for about 9 years. Having numerous tests done they decided on IBS, sent me home with 3 different meds I should take probably forever. No way am I going to let this thing take over my life, and continue to pop pills as an answer. I researched and came across food combining. It has changed me forever!! No more illness, I am on no pills, have one or two cups of green tea a day for a little boost of energy instead of nasty coffee. The whole thing says that your body can not handle an (animal) protein and a starch at the same time because it will neutralize in your belly creating all sorts of pain and other fun bathroom stuff. So it's either veggies and meat or veggies and starches. I find I eat more and enjoy food more when I cut out all the animal stuff. After reading this book and toying with the idea of cutting it out totally before reading I decided to try it. After about 2 weeks I felt ok, but pretty weak. I was at the gym and about to pass out. I made 2 eggs with fresh organic veggies when I got home and felt so much better.
I find when I eat the meats (only natural antibiotic free chicken, fish, and eggs) I eat more veggies to have a total meal.. but I am sick from too much of them my stomach can't handle the overload of them. I have tried tempeh (love it) and some really good recipes with tofu. I don't want to overdo it with soy.. I am very disciplined with what I eat and could easily cut out animal products from my diet. I am afraid I will get sick and not have enough nutrition to sustain myself. My family of course freaked out with the thought of me cutting out meat which is another small reason I have decided to keep eating it. I really only eat any meats about 2-3 times a week and no dairy ever.
I need some advice on how to really do this. Also help with traveling, I took 4 trips to grocery stores in a week while visiting family in Illinois!!

When you stop using a drug you feel sick. When you re-introduce the drug, you feel better. It doesn't mean the drug is good for you or you need it. Detox sucks but it's necessary. You have to give yourself more time to stabilize after completely cutting out something as toxic as meat. I'm not a doctor, that's my opinion. Professional athletes perform fine on vegan diets. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to make it work. I hear "Thrive" is a great book for people concerned about not getting enough protein to function and work out.

Thank you Suzy.. I will look into that book, there was a mention of a triathlete in Alicia's book as well I need to look at.
The stomach pain is, or was literally EVERY night looking like I was about 8 1/2 months pregnant with constipation that lasted for 2-4 days then the other bathroom issue following. They wanted me on an acid reflux, laxative, and anti-diarrheal. I haven't needed anything since I started eating differently. I still get a bit sick with too many vegetables I think it's a bit hard on the digestion.

I think I know your pain, literally! I have had IBS since I was 7 years old and suffered with SEVERE chronic constipation going on 5 years until I tried Juice Plus+. No matter how much water I drank or fiber I took in, if I accidently skipped a day...all the pain started over again. Once I started Juice Plus+, I no longer had constipation and my acid reflux is few and far between now. I was suppose to be on medicine from my gastro doctor, but refused medication. I did not want to be a slave to chemicals to make me whole again. When I was 23 I found out that I had the h pylori bacteria and was able to clear up the infection in my stomach. It is amazing how your skin will tell you that something wrong because with the medicine for my stomach, my deep acne in my cheeks cleared up.....sorry to digress...anyhow Juice Plus+ is fruits and vegetables in a powered form. Not sure that it will work for you and I know your post was about protein, but I soooo relate with the stomach problems! I enjoyed reading everyone else's posts on protein too. I have come across websites for vegan bodybuilders and those have a lot of great information on protein as well.

Hi Lindsey! I was actually on accutane after I got out of aesthetician school. My skin was very bad at the time due to overuse of chemical peels and waxing on my skin. (long story) My follicles had become sensitized, but the acne in my cheeks I referred to earlier was on one side of my face, just one HUGE papule (an infection underneath the skin). I could not agree more how much juicing does change the skin. It is amazing. I was juicing very consistently for some time last year, but I think I am ready to transition to vegetarian/vegan diet. I just received Alicia's book in today and I think I am going to look into the "Thrive Diet" book too. I just don't want to end up with preventable disease. But I am too concerned with protein intake that is why I am looking into getting all the information I can before I jump into this whole new way of life. It will take some adjusting considering my husband in a meatatarian. =) Thanks for the post and the insight.