Welcome Haida,
Many of us, me included, have come from the politically correct vegan background. In my case, almost 20 years. During that time my health slowly declined - loss of tooth enamal, severe headaches, cystic acne, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, very high triglycerides, and a host of other problems.
It wasn't until I ditched the whole idea of the importance of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and all grains and starches, and made them only a very small part of my diet that my health truly start to improve. If you'll spend some time reading various threads you'll find that the need for Fiber is a myth and in fact you'll do much better without it. You'll find that the idea that only fruits and veggies have the vitamins and minerals we need (vitamin C anyone?) is a myth. You'll discover that dairy products cause loss of calcium rather than building strong bones, and that grains, beans, potatoes, and other starches of any kind are about the worst thing you can eat.
I started transitioning to a Paleo style diet, (85% meat and fat and only 15% fruits and veggies with zero grains, beans, potatoes, or dairy) about 7 years ago. This way of eating means you eat meat (especially red meat) that is high in fat at each meal until you are completely satisfied. Then you have a SMALL salad OR a MEDIUM sized piece of fruit once a day - that's it. It will take a few weeks for your body to adapt to this, but once it does you'll never look back. I ate this way for about 3 years and this is where my health started its most dramatic improvement.
Now I only eat raw meat (no fruits or veggies of any kind) - about 2 pounds per day, have been doing this for almost 4 years, and have never felt better. X-Rays have proven that I've gained bone mass and generated new tooth enamel, BP has dropped from 145/95 to 106/63, fasting blood sugar has dropped from 140 to 90, cholesterol has dropped from 235 to 189, triglycerides have dropped from the 500's to 65, I haven't had a headache in over 6 years, acne totally disappeared, and my weight dropped from 215 to 160. I feel wonderful and look forward to living every day to the fullest. I wouldn't go back to a vegan lifestyle for anything in the world.
The hardest part for me was deprogramming the brainwashing of the politically correct vegan crowd. It took me a long time to finally accept that not only did I not need whole grains, beans, sprouts and green juices, but indeed they were the cause of my steadily declining health. You've taking the first step which is the hardest. Keep moving forward.....
Lex
