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Thursday, January 7, 2016

My Good Vegan Math

     I had my resting blood pressure taken today at my office.  Two years ago, if I wasn't taking my prescription, it was 144/90.  Today, after 2 years on a completely whole foods plant based diet, it is 94/62.  My total cholesterol went from 234 to 137. No prescriptions for blood pressure problems or cholesterol any more!
     In 2 years my weight went from 274 lbs to a current, post holiday weight of 184 lbs. That's 90 lbs gone in 2 years with no prescriptions, no bariatric surgery and no strenuous regular exercise. It really was gone after 16 months and has stayed steady. 
     Two years ago, my waist was 44 inches and my neck was 18.5 inches. I'm now wearing jeans with a 32 inch waist (my high school size) and shirts that are fitted instead of regular with a 17 inch collar (my junior high school size).  My winter coat was an XXL 2 years ago. Now it's a medium. I shrunk.
Cauliflower with Veggie Nacho Sauce
Let's go over a comparison of  two choices for dinner: 
Vegetables of your choice with Vegan Nacho Sauce - 228 calories. 1.6g fat, 20g protein, 18g fiber
One boiled chicken breast, no sauce, nothing added - 256 calories. 6g fat, 31g protein, Zero fiber
Focus on the fat and fiber.
Animal fat contributes to plaque formation in your arteries and development of heart disease. Each gram of fat contains 9 calories. There are over 3 times fewer calories from fat in the veggies WITH nacho sauce than in just the boiled chicken breast, no skin.  The ratio gets much worse with the skin, or with fried, baked or even broiled chicken. With no fiber. None.
     Fiber is the stuff that helps keep you regular, makes you feel full and LOWERS cholesterol. Plants are full of fiber. Animal products contain no fiber. Choose health! Eat plants!
Mac and Cheeze, salad and cooked farro
So the big secret:  EAT YOUR VEGETABLES, FRUITS, GRAINS, BEANS AND LEGUMES.
Don't eat any animal products at all, stay away from anything with the word "oil" in it's name, read the label on any processed food to make sure you know what it contains and eat a handful of nuts once or twice a week. Drop soda pop and drink water. Don't sweeten things with processed sugar. Stop putting saturated fat in your coffee.
Medications are for helping you through your illness. Good food promotes good health. I was killing myself with my own fork. When I started to eat right and dropped my food addictions my health status changed from heart attack time bomb on medications to healthy adult with no need for medications.  If you have questions or need some help, join me for free at PBNSG.org. We have lots of happy volunteers eager to help you with a getting started guide, recipes, testimonials, large lectures, nationally known speakers, podcasts, small group meetings and meal preparation dinner meetings, how to guides for restaurants, healthy grocery shopping tours, etc.
    It's a New Year. Make it a healthier one while you still get to choose!