[Telephonoscope]

Long story short I have an incurable genetic disease that limits my amount of exercise to nearly zero. My day consists of light chores around the house and a bunch of sitting in one place. The only exercise I'm allowed to do is light swimming, but I'm very allergic to chlorine, even in salt water pools. My doctor knows of this and approves, so please, don't chastise my amount of exercise.<br><br>
I went vegan a year and a half ago. Since then I've lost 50 pounds, my cholesterol problem has been fixed, I no longer have acid reflux, asthma, etc.<br><br>
Now my doctor is wanting to put me on Cymbalta for both my pain and my bipolar disorder. I've taken it in the past and it's one of the primary reasons I gained so much weight in the first place. My doctor knows this and told me that although veganism is an excellent first step, I now need to reduce my consumption of sugar, fat, oil, and carbohydrates so that I don't gain weight again, and so that I can lose the second 50 pounds I need to lose.<br><br>
Question 1: I don't know where to start! How can I cook without sugar, fat, oil, or carbs and have an interesting meal and not burn out?<br><br>
Question 2: I've tried eating raw before and it was soooo expensive. How would it be possible to eat all our meals as 80% veg/beans and not break the bank? I generally spend around $75 a week on groceries, and to be honest we can barely afford that.

 

[ade903]

Check out Vegan for $3.33 a day (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vegan-for-333-a-Day/116026025122857" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vegan-...16026025122857</a> or <a href="http://www.melomeals.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.melomeals.blogspot.com/</a>). I know she uses a lot of carbs, but maybe you can get some bean ideas. Good luck!

 

[ElaineV]

Well, I think limiting sugar and fat/oil is a good idea if you need to lose more weight. I don't agree about eliminating carbs, though. Most experts agree that carbohydrates are essential to any healthy human diet.<br><br>
Vegan recipes that limit sugar and fat/oil can be found in McDougall cookbooks. They are often inexpensive, too.

 

[Telephonoscope]

@ade903: I used to check out melomeals all the time, but I had forgotten about her. Thanks for reminding me!<br><br>
@ElaineV: I was also weirded out about the doctor telling me to cut back carbs. When I asked her why she gave the usual spiel about carbs turning into sugar turning into fat. She did say that I could eat carbs, but that I should only eat a fist size serving per meal and have the rest of my meal be based around vegetables and beans. I hardly ever use white flour, but I do eat a LOT of whole wheat pasta and homemade whole wheat bread, but perhaps my doc is right in that I should cut back on them? Thank you for the info on McDougall. I'd heard about him in the past, but I'm going to do some more thorough research into him now!

 

[fadeaway1289]

Have you checked out <a href="http://www.fatfreevegan.com" target="_blank">www.fatfreevegan.com</a>?

 

[Telephonoscope]

That's another one I checked out when I first became vegan and then forgot about. Thanks!

 

[tammay]

I can't help but agree with Elaine. I don't know that, unless you have specific health issues, it's necessary to cut out all carbs. Reduce/eliminate refined carbs and sugar, yes, but whole grains and potatoes aren't necessarily bad. I've also been doing McDougall for the past 3 months and have found it very doable (once you get used to not adding any oils or other fats, but it's not as bad as it seems <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> ).<br><br>
I came to veganism from a low carb background and having read many of the low carb books, was very wary of eating carbs again. I thought that if I started to eat carbs, any carbs, I would immediately have insane cravings and binge on junk food all day long (especially since I have a binge eating issue). Didn't happen. I find that eating whole grains and potatoes doesn't cause cravings for me and are very satisfying. I also did a round of blood work recently and my blood sugar and everything else was normal, which impressed my doctor, who was sure she would find issues since I am 5'1" and, at the time, weighed 188 pounds (I have since lost 10 pounds on McDougall <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">) and my family has a history of high cholesterol, unstable blood pressure, borderline blood sugar, etc. I let her chalk it up to my having inherited my mom's good genes rather than to my diet <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/wink3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">.<br><br>
Tam

 

[phatrabbit]

So, with the limited info I have I'm concerned. If cymbalta didn't work for you, why is the doctor putting you back on it? I'm assuming it made you unhappy to gain that much weight. If you're unhappy, the antidepressant isn't working. If I were in your shoes, I would request a different medication. Bipolar disorder can take a while to find the perfect combination of medications, and I'm sure its further complicated by your pain issues...but surely there are other options.