Stalemate

[Groovy chick]

My dietician and I are currently in a stalemate situation.

She has suggested the following alterations to my diet:

To eat a wider variety of foods

No problem. I am fine with this suggestion.

To begin consuming dairy produce and meat

I am very unhappy with this suggestion. I have been vegeterian for nearly ten years now, and vegan for a year and would feel extremely uncomfortable with the idea of altering this. I also have a sensitivity to cow's milk, and therefore would have to restrict my consumption of these foods anyway.


She says that as long as we continue down this path, she can no longer offer me any dietary advice. Unfortunately, she does not perceive a vegan diet as being healthy, and will not budge on this point of view. Is there any way I can help her to see my point of view, or am I actually incorrect (as in assuming vegan diets are healthier than meat-based diets?)

[harper]

Get a new dietician that is more educated about the benefits of vegetarianism & veganism?

[missmushroom]

Get a new dietician that is more educated about the benefits of vegetarianism & veganism?

i couldn't agree more.

* it always baffles me when i hear that dieticians and nutritionists are recommending/insisting that their client must start consuming animal flesh and products. especially when so many studies suggest that a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is pretty much at the top of the healthy scale.

[rabid_child]

I'd get a new nutritionist, and ask before you even meet with him/her if s/he is veg*n friendly.

What the heck would she say if you were a vegetarian for religious reasons?? (What if you said you were? haha)

[thebelovedtree]

Fire her, she's working for you. I would find someone who is willing to work within my diet.

[Garnett]

I've gotta say I agree with all the advice that has been given already. :)

[Groovy chick]

How do I go about finding a vegetarian/vegan friendly nutritionist/dietican?

[BendingRiver]

What's wrong with your health? B12 deficient? Poor iron? Then you have to be open to doing things to change, like taking pills or shots. It's your job to be proactive in understanding your health and what to do. If you say something along the lines of, "No, I won't get a bimonthly shot and I don't eat animal products!" then you have to accept being unhealthy.

Being vegan has special requirements and there are consequences to every decision you make. Are you doing everything you can to be healthy?

[Diana]

Appaling advice you are being given. The dietician is a nutcase. You'd be better off reading good nutritional advice from vegan websites.

[Groovy chick]

She did a nutritional analysis and found that my diet was lacking in iodine, sodium, chloride and monosaturated fats. My intake of other vitamins and minerals were all satisfactory.

I am more than willing to take supplements if it means making up for nutrition deficient areas in my diet.

In terms of my diet, I am currently taking iodine, vitamin B complex and calcium supplements.

As far as I can see, my diet is healthy but limited in terms of the range of foods I consume.

[Fyvel]

#1. Show her this: ADA/DC position on veg diets (http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy_933_ENU_HTML.htm)

#2. She's obviously not veg friendly, so you two aren't a good fit. Find a new dietitian. You can find a veg friendly dietitian in your area here (http://http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/home_fanp_consumer_ENU_HTML.htm)

[rabid_child]

She did a nutritional analysis and found that my diet was lacking in iodine, sodium, chloride and monosaturated fats. My intake of other vitamins and minerals were all satisfactory.

I am more than willing to take supplements if it means making up for nutrition deficient areas in my diet.

In terms of my diet, I am currently taking iodine, vitamin B complex and calcium supplements.

As far as I can see, my diet is healthy but limited in terms of the range of foods I consume.

Iodine and sodium should be easy enough to get by using table salt.
Chloride?? I have no idea.
Monounsaturated (I think you mean) fats are also easy -- use olive oil or canola oil in your cooking/on salads, and eat some nuts or nut butter!

[Cozmo]

It is extremely rare for anyone to be deficient in iodine, chloride and sodium. Almost impossible actually unless you consume absolutely no table salt or processed foods. Most people consume way too much!

I'd definitely find a new dietician!