I’ve had a change too in my culinary ways. Something clicked in me about two months ago, about a week after you left (when I came back from Chicago). I have moved to a whole-food, plant based diet. I’d say I’m at least, without question, 80% compliant and I’m willing to bet that I’m more like 90% based on the guidelines set forth in Forks Over Knives.

For a combination of reasons really. Your success, my good friend here repeatedly told me about his benefits of going on this diet (Steve Kraunz, not sure if you met him?). He kept on saying how bad animal protein is, processed foods, how much weight he lost, how much better he feels. Probably the weight of all the patients I’ve taken care of in the ER. Almost every single one over the age of 50 who comes in with any sort of complaint has hypertension, maybe diabetes, high cholesterol, and is overweight. Especially those who come in with chest pain. I watched Forks over Knives and read some of the material surrounding it (The China Study).

But I think what finally solidified my transformation was the decision to plan 5 days of lunches and dinners in a row. It is daunting to think “how can I, rather quickly, change my diet so I’m eating better, eliminating chesse, milk, dairy, animal products, and the legions of awful food in my house?” It is hard to just make that change. What do I cook? Where do I get it? How long is it going to take?

So I gave it a 5 day trial. I found about 10 recipes that looked good. I compiled a list of all the ingredients needed to make those dishes. I went to our local, big supermarket and bought everything. Right away I noticed that about 80% of my purchase was fresh food.

And then every night I had a different dinner. I had all of the ingredients so I had no excuse not making it. I think this provided a big advantage over freely, and without planning, what to eat.

The food was quite good and Alexis loved it!

I’ve lost 15 pounds in less than a month. My energy level is more even throughout the day. I don’t get nearly the highs and lows from eating food that I used to get. When I’m done eating I do not feel stuffed. I have a big meal before a 12 hr shift and I last, fairly impressively, without eating during shift. That isn’t ideal, but it’s better than previously where I would have to get a coffee most of the time during mid-shift to help me through. I probably sleep a little better. And my bowel movements are fantastic! TMI, I know but it’s great. No more straining. LOL.

I’ve virtually cut out every single animal product completely. I have not had chicken, fish, turkey or meat since I started it. Well…I had one small piece of steak (0.5 oz) during my residency’s graduation party where they had no diet-appropriate food anyway. I have not had cheese. I do continue to add milk to my morning coffee, and I will eventually change that when I figure out a good substitute (maybe rice drink?) I no longer use Splenda, now it’s agave nectar. I have not used an oz of olive oil, or any other type of oil for that matter, since starting this diet. However I do sometimes have to use bottled food (e.g. pasta sauce) that sometimes has oil in it.

I eat a lot of chick peas, I make a spicy chickpea spread that is delicious. I eat that 3-4 times a week. White bean red pepper spread. grape nuts / shredded wheat for breakfast with blueberries. whole wheat pasta w/ low oil sauce. I’ve made so much baba ganoush from eggplant over the past two months, I’ve probably consumed 25+ eggplants during that time. I still drink beer which is high in calories.

My weight loss has plateaued which means I’m taking in too much calories and not burning enough. I should work out more. Maybe someday something will click and I will just start working out.

Overall I think it’s easier to lose weight by changing your eating patterns than working out, although obviously doing both is the best. One has to eat every day (not technically true for working out), so controlling your caloric intake on a daily basis because you have to eat is more realistic than eating what you want and just trying to burn it off. One may not decide to work out for a week for a variety of reasons, but they still have to eat!

It also helps that my two good friends out here are also doing this and we often sit around and tease each other that we are being all sensitive, ethical vegan eaters. So they keep me motivated. I’ve changed my diet only because I want to reduce my risk of coronary disease, stroke and cancer as much as possible. I don’t have an ethical basis for my diet change. I don’t think my change in eating habits will affect one cow on this earth.

I’m very happy thus far, and you have helped given me some of my new motivation! xoxo Your Brother