Becoming a Vegan

June 5, 2006

Namaste,

I would appreciate your piece of advice if possible. I do not care

much for meat or fish but dairy products have been my mainly intake

since I was born as I am a poor eater. Vegetables and fruit best if

in juice as I get bored from eating. Dry fruits and cereals okay but

in milk.

I have been told to become a vegan as my body is getting old very

quickly. I have been noticing that. My question is how to become a

vegan since I am always having poor iron blood tests and low blood

pressure. I started a banana diet yesterday and I was almost falling

asleep at work today for three times. Nodding I would say... It is

strange for me since I am most Pitta I believe, and born Aries. I

have a lot of air (it is killing my stomach) and none earth. My

first chakras are not very grounded, I believe. Would I start by

avoiding any fish and meat and little by little cutting up dairy

products or cutting everything down?. Thanks you for time.

Sat nam,

Gurusher Kaur

June 6, 2006

Dear Gursherji,

Namaste. There have been long debates in this list on the subject of

vegetarian and non vegetarian diets. We have come to the conclusion

that ultimately everything depends on the effect on the body. If the

body is able to digest non-veg food, well and good, if it disturbs

then definitely a vegetarian diet would be better.

Then there is the question of acidity and alkalinity. People with

acidic bodies will only compound their problems by resorting to a

heavy non-veg diet. They would do well to slowly shift to a

vegetarian, raw food and fruit based diet.

Milk is considered to be a great source of nourishment by the

ayurveds. Only if milk and milk products cannot be tolerated that a

vegan diet can be considered. It is usually seen that persons with

advanced digestive disorders cannot tolerate milk. If the digestive

system is in good order then there is no justification in doing away

with milk, curd, or buttermilk. Curd and buttermilk are probiotics

and are prescribed for those who have chronic intestinal irritation.

Therefore it is a question of individualisation. If you wish to lead

a sattwic life then you may be free to cut down on meat, fish and

eggs and include spinach, nuts and legumes, in your diet which will

take care of your protein and iron needs. In fact natural protein and

iron is easily digested and immensely more beneficial.

For your low blood pressure problem, perhaps an Ashwagandha based

tonic would be best. A nutritious diet, taking a regular morning work

and a mild exercise regime would also help. You should try to

acertain the reason behind the low blood pressure and try to address

it.

You are currently suffering from vata which makes you feel that you

are not properly grounded. Once the problem subsides you will feel

much better. Take proper rest and meditate regularly.

Regards,

Jagannath.

ayurveda, "dmaryan20042003"

<dmaryan20042003 wrote:

>

> Namaste,

>

> I would appreciate your piece of advice if possible. I do not care

> much for meat or fish but dairy products have been my mainly intake

> since I was born as I am a poor eater. Vegetables and fruit best if

> in juice as I get bored from eating. Dry fruits and cereals okay but

> in milk.

>

> I have been told to become a vegan as my body is getting old very

> quickly.

June 6, 2006

dear gurusher

your vata is clearly disturbed - given your symptoms this is not a

good time to become a vegan

sometimes when vata is disturbed we think that an even lighter diet

is the solution - in your case it is not, at least not from your

description

if you are vegetarian, start introducing well-cooked and properly

spiced legumes back into your diet, with vegetables, rice and fats

such as ghee and sesame

ideally, the best way to lower vata is meat and meat products - esp.

if your iron is low

if you have nothing against eating eggs you should most certainly do

so immediately; a hearty, higher protein breakfast will make a big

difference to your energy levels throughout the day and in my

experience is one of the most effective ways to combat the

hypoglycemic symptoms you are experiencing while trying to work

please don't go on a banana diet or any such mono-diet - they are

unsafe and unhealthy if not properly supervised and implemented for

the correct reasons (such as a fast), and usually encouraged by

people who don't know what they are talking about

good luck... todd

On 6-Jun-06, at 10:08 AM, ayurveda wrote:

Becoming a Vegan

Posted by: "dmaryan20042003" dmaryan20042003 dmaryan20042003

Mon Jun 5, 2006 8:21 pm (PST)