Since starting the program over again a few weeks ago, I have been trying to figure out how to eat so that it goes better this time.

I had begun as a vegan you may recall. I have tried to only eat minimal amounts of meat and protein as it causes acidity. HOWEVER...

Don't know what's going on in my body, but I can eat 3 huge bowls of cream of veg soup and I'm hungry within an hour. It's like my body is screaming out for protein. I also find that my moods are really low, and if I eat some good soaked nuts, almond butter, meat, I pick right up. It seems protein is the only thing that makes me full, and I feel best if I mix it with a starch (although I know it's bad food combining).

Just wondering if this is a blood sugar thing, or if not, does my body really needs this much protein or should I try to eat less of it? I guess I am concerned about the amount of it I'm eating daily.

eg. IN a day: 1-2 cups beans or lentils
1/2 cup ground seeds in soups etc.
1/4-1/2 cup nuts
1 cup cooked quinoa OR amaranth OR teff

Somedays also a couple tbsp. of nut butter on top of that, or just one cup beans and a portion of meat.

1. Is this okay? It doesn't seem very healthy, but I'm weak and soooooo hungry if I don't eat this much protein.

2. Is it okay to eat like 4 servings of nuts a day INSTEAD OF meat? I have read that nuts and seeds should total only about 1/4 cup or so, and I eat way more than that normally. I wonder if I forego the meat if it's so bad eating so much other protein i.e. nuts, seeds.

Thanks a bunch!
-joejoe

JoeJoe,

I wish I had some answers for you but I'm in the same boat. I started out vegetarian but started eating meat again this past April (not an easy decision either).

In fact, the last couple days I've been craving beef (which has always been my least favorite meat). I really hope it is my body craving something it needs and not the candidas!

I never did well with beans except soy beans, black beans, and garbanzo beans.

When I eat starch (which lately has only been a few times a week), I have to combine it with a protein since I have hypoglycemia or I become extremely fatigued, spacey, and shaky.

Sorry, I can't help but completely understand.

Cindy O

joe joe

I too totally understand. I'm always craving nuts and sometimes eggs (my two biggest protien sources). I'm a vegetarian and haven't any any fish, chicken or meat in 18 years. I've tried a few bites of fish and a bite of chicken in hopes to get more protien, but I can't eat it. I feel like I'm always hungry. Like you said even after a big meal. I don't know if this is yeasties making me hunger or blood sugar imbalance like you said, but I seems it may be
somewhat common amongs us.


Jodi

I'm a vegan so I understand your situation. I usually eat at least 1 cup of nuts/seeds a day. I would like to know if there is a problem with this as well(but I don't find that it bothers me). I also have at least 2 to 3 Tbsp of oil plus an avocado a day. I find that these foods provide more calories and keep me satisfied. If anyone else has any thoughts on this topic I would be interested as well.

Lisa

Hi JJ,

I would lean toward the higher side of those daily intake suggestions and maybe even 25% higher depending upon your weight, weight goals and activity level. If you are active and struggling to keep weight on, you can go even higher.

Please find a web or book resource to help you choose from the higher protein nuts and beans so that you are minimizing your carbs and maximizing your protein. Adzuki beans, black beans, mung beans, black eyed peas, red beans, roman beans, pinto beans , and navy beans are all quite high protein. So are soybeans but as you know, I don’t recommend the use of soy very often.

Hope this helps JJ. You'll need to tune into what your body is telling you and it sounds as if it's telling you to eat more protein. I won't give you specific protein recommendations because that would require a detailed assessment but I think you are pretty tuned in to what you need.

Take good care.

Hi,

Brazil nuts are the higher source of protein of all the nuts and is the best quality protein you can eat, and an excellent source of healthy fatty acids, and ....... they are delicious and satisfy very well cravings.

You most eat them raw and don´t need to soaked them.

Regards

Yes brazil nuts are one of my favourite nuts. They are also extremely high in selenium which is a potent anti-oxidant.

I do soak my brazil nuts however. I find them even tastier this way and I like the change to the texture.

You need to be careful to search out a good, fresh source for brazil nuts. Though they are not as prone to mould as some other nuts, I have still bought many bags of mouldy brazil nuts. Look for stores with high turn over that keep their nuts in the fridge.

Enjoy!!!

Your daily intake sounds pretty similar to mine-without the meat.

I also find I need some protein with all foods. Usually this takes the form of nuts/avocados in salads.

I can only tolerate small portions of fish every 3-4 days max.

Yesterday I had a normal portion of fish and I was so overloaded afterwards. It was really horrible. I ordered the same meal last week and felt great but I had not had as much protein inthe previous 24 hr that time , and hence I felt great after the fish last week.

Beleive me you will know when you have overdone it. If your like me you will feel really lousy and cranky and generally unwell.

When you have too little you will probably feel weak and sickly and soft and sweet.

When you get it right you feel stronger and more energised.

At least this has been my experience.

Happy Christmas and take good care,

Sarah.

Ps I used to be a great advocate of soaked nuts but find whenI am too acidic grilling the prewashed nuts is better. Pine nuts and cashews are actually less sweet when grilled, I find. However sunflower seeds are good soaked and rinsed. Pumpkinseeds are best rinsed and grilled or dry fried. Walnuts are best washed, then boiled(especially good cooked in the pot with rice or millet.)

Hey all,

I have sooooo appreciated all the different experiences and suggestions related here! I thought I was the only one going through this! I have begun eating beans in the morning with vegetables or some nuts and find that this really makes a difference in my hunger level being more reasonable the rest of the day. Also increased my nut intake. Sometimes ya just do what ya gotta do!
I felt great on a vegan diet before treatment, but it just seems like with all the work the body is doing during the detox it needs a lot of extra protein and at times I am finding meat is helpful in my case. I'll have to trust my body that it can process such a vast amount effectively as this seems to be what it is telling me it needs in order to do it's job properly for now. I hear ya Sarah, I too need to space out how often I eat meat, as it is hard to digest.
Wishing you all much success and happy munching,
:0) And Merry Christmas back to you Sarah and all the rest!
-joejoe