Hi All,

I've been pescatarian for years and have had dairy allergies, but continued to eat it anyways during those years. I went Vegan 6 months ago after reading this book and did not do well on the diet. I had bad reactions, bad eczema started and generally didn't feel good most of the time. I had metabolic testing done and blood typing and they said I should not be eating that way for my specific body make-up. I didn't like that they told me for my body type, I should be eating a diet rich in high purine meats...but it makes sense that I wasn't doing well on the Vegan diet, if I'm not made up to eat that way. I told them I would not be eating meats again and so that was that.

I do believe that certain people just aren't made to be Vegans, as much as they want to be (Me!). I have since returned to incorporating fish back into my diet but have kept out the dairy and I feel much better now....so I think Vegan was just a little too much for me. I am loving the fact that I have stayed off the diary though! I have clearer skin and my little layer of tummy fat is gone. 

I support Vegan lifestyles so much, but being full vegan just wasn't for me. I feel like a lot of Vegans or people who advocate for a vegan lifestyle have disagreed with me-saying everyone can be vegan and be healthy, which is why I'm writing. I am proof that certain people are not optimal on this diet. How do you feel about this?

Hi! Well, I was not a vegan but a vegetarian - the only meat i ate was fish and rarely, but did have eggs and some dairy, but was mostly off it...i don't remember feeling any different, i certainly didn't lose any weight.  I have always been overweight, since I was 7 and mostly in my belly.  I've decided to go again, but I'm not sure I can go all the way.  I only eat chicken and fish and dairy and otherwise eat properly - with whole grains, etc.  but i'm increasingly getting grossed out by chicken.  so that is pretty much done.  my biggest issues will be dairy, and sugar. for me, its alot of convenience and grabbing something on the go, if there is no meat will almost always have cheese or some kind of dairy.  i can only prepare ahead so much.  and i don't like tofu or soy milk that much..PLUS, most of the soy or nut milk i've seen have a lot of sugar in it!  so, i'm not sure how that's better for you.

i don't know, i would love to be happier and healthier and have clear skin and lose weight...but i'm skeptical because nothing has worked.  I mostly just want to be healthy.  but i also think that i need something, fish is good...at least once or twice a week...otherwise i'm good with other sources.

Jacqui - if you want the full benefits of eating vegan, you need to make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet and getting all your nutirents. In reality, giving up dairy and sugar are going to have the biggest effects on your health and weight and if you eat for convenience, then you have to expect the effects of such. Preparing large batches of things provides food that is ready to go and can be thrown together for meals and snacks. And I am speaking as someone who had a weight issue after going from vegetarian to omni and am now vegan and have lost weight and feel so much better. I was unhappy as an omni because deep down it was not wanted I wanted to be doing. Going vegan has made me happier and healthier.

Aside from ethical issues, any animals farmed, and even wild fish, are compromised because of environmental conditions they are grown in, and eating their flesh is then eating all that nastiness. If you want to really see the effects, you have to commit and give it time. Go vegan for a couple of months and see how you feel. As far as nut milks - you have to look for the unsweetened ones, but I would limit my consumption of those if you are trying to lose weight.

Hi. I found Alicia's book, and I love it. And love the idea of being vegan. I am obese, and am trying to get healthy and hoping to lose weight, as a by product. I try too be vegan, all the way...but eventually, about a week or two into it, I feel nasuated by the thought of another leafy green...Is this not uncommon? I feel the only recourse is to avoid the leafy green and go for some animal protien (usually egg, or chicken) which I hate myself for.

I also read about toxic hunger, mentioned by dr. furlman... is this maybe what I am experienceing? and how do I go about getting through this period???

I think everyone can go fully vegan, sorry I still do (this is coming from someone 99% vegan so don't think it's meant as lofty or looking down or the like - I'm not there myself!). So much of our healthcare system is unknown. So many doctors are anti-vegan, anti-vegetarian, anti-anything-not-meat-and-potatoes. So many doctors have theories on the best diet for all: high carb, low carb, high protein, low protein, fiber rich, low fiber, etc. It all contrasts. I also think people neglected the concept of withdraw. When you do anything differently, your body rebels. You can't run a race the first day you try running but for some reason people think food choices work differently (they don't!). I had a good month of a withdraw period when I started working towards vegan: lots of cravings, acne, hunger, irritability, mood swings, aches, etc. It slowly faded overtime. I incoporate fish in my diet on blue moons because - as you attested - we've got to do what's right for our own bodies and that's what is right for mine. 

That being said, I think everyone can go vegan - there are so many complications along the way with doctors, theories and withdraw that many retreat. Just my opinion on the topic, not meant to be critical of altering opinions or the like - really