my MIL (diabetes and veganism)

[sararie]

My in-laws came to visit and were here for more than a week. All she did was rave about my cooking. We came to the discussion about feeling better eating "this" way and she said, "My doctor told me, bc of my diabetes, that the best diet for me would be vegan." :bobo:
I told her that was great and asked if she was going to do it. She said "no" she can't give up her cheese. WTF?! you just "gave up" cheese for more than a week while at my house. Argh! At least she has taken a handful of recipes to start and maybe I can help her out a bit more when we go home to visit. (she can't keep cheese in the house- my girls are allergic)
Anything to help maybe change her mind?

[cftwo]

One of my first steps toward giving up dairy came after reading Marilu Henner's "Total Health Makeover." It makes a health-based case against dairy and also suggests that even doing 1 (or 2) dairy-free meals a day is OK. Her books also advocate eating fish, which may be a good transition stage for your MIL - keep fish, but give up dairy as a step toward veganism. (The veg*n recipes in her books are pretty good, too.) Marilu also has a rather accessible style that appeals to some people.

[nikic]

It's a good start though. I would encourage her to get started. If you tell her she must give up her favorite food she might say what's the point, it's too much work, blah blah blah. You know how it goes.

[Thalia]

Well I think that psychological hurdle of "never again" can give people an excuse to do nothing. How about give up everything except cheese once a week or something?

[froggythefrog]

Keep after her gently. Trade recipes. Perhaps she will start to adapt to the idea of whole grain pasta without cheese, just as an example. (And Oh my gosh... Just to become vegetarian in the first place is a big step. Be sure you see what effort she is making and encourage her with it.)

[bluewisdom]

What if you made her this..1/4th cup brown rice, 1 tsp reduced sodium soy sauce, and a pinch of basil, garlic powder, and onion powder. It really has a cheese-y flavor, and it is healthy and delicious..maybe it would be a good substitute for her?

[Bof]

PCRM has a diabetes video support group with regular online sessions.
Dr John McDougall has made some convincing DVDs like Total Health Solutions for the 21st Century which would be good if she prefers watching videos rather than reading books.

[sararie]

I am trying to work at her slowly. She will be almost two weeks without cheese while we are staying at her house. She agreed to do it since my girls are allergic. So nice of her (and I mean it!) I am hoping to do more cooking while there to convince her. I will definitely try that recipe and see if she is interested on info on vegan life. Can't force her to change, but would like her to be about for when her grandkids are older. :)
So far, she has liked everything I cook and if I keep it simple, she most likely will keep it up at home. the big thing she got into was cheese as a protein to balance out her fruit/sugars at a meal. I am not sure how that works..??
Thanks for all the responses!

[Bonoluvr]

My mouth is still dropped open over a doctor actually knowing and suggesting a vegan diet as being best!!!
yep just keep at it slowly, i never never thought i could give up cheese, i posted about it here a long time ago.........and i am pretty much 99% cheese (dairy) free........i do occasionally have pizza with the kids, so i am not 100% cheese free, but i feel better being off dairy, so much better!

[sararie]

I thought that too...then was ok minus the cheese..oh but the ranch dressing. searched long and hard to find a dressing that made me want a salad again.
my FIL's family is from germany (he is first generation here) and my MIL got her love of odd cheeses from visitng them (I say that as we were the block o cheese kids growing up) and I sometimes feel that she needs to keep on with some of the things they do (food wise) so as to be more involved. I think she should just take up learning the language. I have thought about offering her an alternative cheese, but I haven't found one, so I can't expect her to like one.
Isn't it crazy about the doctor?! I wish they would tell my dad that too.