The KInd Life Community Forum
Use this space to share stories, exchange ideas, ask questions, and contribute to our growing community!
all possible detox symptoms?
Started
by Lexis
on July 18, 2010
Today is my first day being vegan. I've been a vegetarian for the past 5 years or so, but since reading Alicia's book and suffering serious digestive/stomach/nausea issues from food for the past few years with no answers, I'm motivated to become a vegan.
I'm a huge cheese and yogurt eater so I think the first few weeks will be difficult. Since no one else in my family is vegan, or even vegetarian, I will constantly be opening up the fridge door and seeing all the dairy I used to eat but will no longer be able to.
I would really like to know what type of detox symptoms all of you suffered while becoming vegan so I can know what to expect and not think this isn't working and cave in, and how long they lasted. I'm so excited to set out on this journey!
For me it was/is just acne. Back, neck and face, ugh. the back has cleared up and so has my neck. Still working on the face, but it's coming. I've always struggled with some acne, so I can't say that detox is the cause of it all. It's been 5 months and I'm still in the process of eating healthier and finding the right balance of foods. It may get ugly, but hang in there! I was a HUGE cheese fan (18 years vegetarian though) and I don't really miss it.
I went from a full blown meat and dairy diet to a vegan! Symptoms were mainly in my gut. I was bloated and constipated. I never did experience the acne. I did have a little depression and felt like I was in a fog and really run down. But after about a week it started to get better and then that huge cloud lifted and it was the best I have felt in years! Your craving for dairy will diminish. Once your taste buds are cleared from the dairy you realize dairy(mainly cheese and butter for me) just taste like fat and coat the taste buds. It is an adjustment to feed your family. Make slow small changes initially. I am married and have 4 children 13-5. I started making small changes here and there. Like omiting cheese from the pasta, switching milk to almond/soy/rice milk, changing the butter and yogurt out etc. I then started experimenting with Vegan dinners. Some have been a hit and some not so much but thats how it is with kids! On the bright side my husband who was a huge meat eater is now loving the meals I am preparing and is about 80% vegan......That is something I never expected! Good luck and stick with it. Its so worth it! I suffered from asthma and allergies for so many years. Once I gave up the meat and dairy I have not had to take my inhaler or allergy meds. My skin looks amazing and I feel like I did when I was 20. That should be encouraging:0)
I have occasional bad acne as well. Right now, since it's summer, I'm breaking out horribly!
It's so encouraging to hear that you guys have been successful with giving up dairy and meat and even your kids and husband like it! I think have allergies as well, although I'm not sure what I'm allergic to.. I just constantly have a stuffy and runny nose (maybe it's sinuses?), so hopefully this will help with that too!
I was a vvegetarian for eight years but recently I've decided to go full vegan. It's been three days and I feel mild detox symptoms. A tummy ache every now and then but nothing awful. I have been craving sweets a lot too :[
I was vegetarian also and did not suffer "negativ" detoxsymptoms, only felt better. Once i started also to incorporate some superhero's food (seaveggies/kikuchi/umeboschi/miso) i can say that my feeling good is gotten even much much better. I feel much lighter, balanced and good in my skin.
I'm at two weeks now and I feel achy and like I'm getting a cold. I also have diarhea at least once a day. I have read that for some people it lasts longer. I am very sensitive to begin with, som aybe that's the reason. I used to eat meat once or twice a week and lots of cheese and butter and eggs. 'Hope you feel better soon :)
Lexis -- Congratulations on your choice! I'm not saying this will be your experience, but in case it is, you will be forewarned. Detox was pretty harsh for me, and I blame my former addiction to dairy! I became very moody and mucousy, and irritable. My skin got much worse at first. Easy weight loss, though, kept me going through this tougher time. For 6 weeks I had very strong dairy cravings. Trying vegan "dairy" options made it much worse during this time because they tasted so bad to me. Then after this 6 week detox, it was just over, and it was as if a veil had lifted from my face. For the first time in remembrance I was clear, fresh, clean, full of vitality and energy. I was at peace! For the first time ever I got NO seasonal allergies, no sinus infections -- am sure dairy had been the culprit. Now the vegan cheeses taste good to me, though I don't crave them the way I used to crave dairy. I crave collards and beans, barley, brown rice. I will never again have dairy on purpose. It was the cause of so much trouble in my body. Hang in there, and you will reap amazing rewards!
Cheryl isn't it an amazing feeling when detox is over! Your experience is so similar to mine. The mucus....isn't it crazy! I just cant believe how long I was feeling sick, depressed and moody. I had a hard time with the fake dairy in the beginning as well. I only use it occasionally...maybe with a veggie burger on the grill. I wish I was with you on never having diary again on purpose. I have had some slips.......and felt like crap afterward wondering why I went there!! I have absolutely no craving for meat. It just does not appeal to me at all. The awareness of where meat comes from once you give it up becomes very clear. The blinders have been removed and I have never felt better. I love being able to express how I feel on this website. I feel like I'm preaching or just get the uh hu when I discuss it with my friends and family. So its so nice to have you all and be able to express my feelings. Especially when you feel so wonderful!
I have been on the vegan diet for a month now and have noticed that I too have diarrhea about once a day. As I have suffered with GERD AND IBS since my twenties, now 65, I am amazed that it is the only symptom that I have now. No bloating and pain! I have never been over weight much, but now am down about five pounds and fit into skinny jeans. No skin problems or energy or mood problems. I feel great! I really don't miss the dairy or meat. I am sure at this point that they were really toxic for me.
31 Comments