richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
I( have been a semi-vegetaria for a long time but with the possibility of Lyme I was told it is important to cut down or cut out starches. I don't eat dairy but rely on fruit and veggies for prebiotics which is fine.
However, without starches, I am limited on what to eat. I was told over and over to avoid dairy.
back in Nvember In tried an eliminatuion diet of brown rice, sweet potatoes and veggies and started to feel good, but couldn't make it as I started adding back food...I was to hungry.
Now, I am thinking a no starch diet may be worth a shot. I know diet is essential any time you deal with bacteria and fungus.
Thoughts?
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
I think that a no starch diet is too drastic of a recommendation. Starches are complex polysaccharides that feed healthy bacteria in the gut lining and improve assimilation of nutrients. Whole grains, root vegetables are starchy but healthy when eaten with a balanced meal!!!
A better change, might be to eliminate refined grain products such as crackers, breads, pastas, but keep on whole grains such as barley, steel cut oats, quinoa, etc. Refined grains are low in nutrients and the sugar is easily absorbed into the blood stream. Starchy foods can tend to be higher glycemic and since lyme disease has been connected to insulin resistance and sugar loving yeast, it is important to eat in whole form and with other higher protein foods.
For instance, rice with beans is good. Rice by itself will tend to have a negative effect on insulin resistance. Oatmeal with a few nuts is another good example of mixing foods for optimum nutrition and least impact on blood sugar.
I hope this helps.
Rebecca Licensed Nutritionist specializing in Lyme
-------------------- Rebecca Snow, MS, CNS, RH(AHG) Posts: 6 | From Maryland | Registered: May 2008
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posted
I'm a pesco-vegetarian of 4 years. When I was diagnosed with Lyme in March, a no sugar/starch diet was recommended and I was told adding meat back in would be best.
I cannot bring myself to eat the meat. I eat lots of whole grains, veggies, and fish along with beans, eggs (in moderation), and almond butter for protein. Occasional dairy but not much.
Lots of olive oil in my cooking helps make sure I get the fats my body needs. There are a lot of high protein alternatives in soy and non-soy. The health food store is my new favorite place.
I finally feel like I'm getting used to my new way of eating. It's possible. Don't give up!!! Posts: 33 | From RI | Registered: Apr 2008
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I was a vegetarian for many years (like 15 or 20). I had some life changes that I won't go into but I have reconsidered. I don't think it's healthy to avoid all animal proteins.
Our body has canine teeth for a reason. Many vegetarians don't get enough B-12, either, since it comes from animal sources. I also think fish oil is very important. I don't like to eat much fish since it is high in mercury but I do take fish oil supplements.
I have had issues with eating meat since I don't like to kill animals but it is a conundrum. I think a good diet for people with Lyme or in general is to eat protein & veggies with some carbohydrates.
I'm not a nutritionist & there are alot of theories about food. We are all individuals & some people have allergies or reactions to various foods. There is alot of debate about soy products, as well.
I recently heard that in China they think people who eat raw foods are barbarians... I guess we all have to try to find a balance & do what is best.
I think yogurt is a healthy food if you get the organic or biodynamic kind without extra sugar. I add alittle raw honey or maple syrup. I think it's better to try to get nutrients from food rather than take synthetic supplements.
There are also studies that different kinds of pro-biotic bacteria can cancel each other out. So, eating yogurt seems like a good source of pro-biotics.
There really isn't alot of studies into whether high doses of synthetic vitamins are healthy. Ever people at the Linus Pauling Institute (the guy who discovered vitamin C) are not sure how good an idea it is to take mega-doses of vitamins.
IMO - It's best to be moderate & not be extreme when it comes to diet. Just try to avoid chemicals, artifical sweetners, MSG, corn syrup/fructose, hydrogenated oils, etc.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
As far as yougurt, you need to try yougurt made from goat milk if you haven't already. I buy the Redwood Hill Farm brand at Whole Foods. It has no additives and contains billions of probiotic cultures. It doesn't upset my stomach like cow milk yogurt and a lot of people who are lactose intolerant can tolerate goat milk yogurt very well...the molecules in the goat milk are much smaller or something to that effect. http://www.redwoodhill.com/yogurt_nutri.htm
I myself am eating according to the paleo-diet, with a few exceptions. The theory is that human bodies have evolved for millions of years to thrive on meat, fish, veggies and fruit. I used to eat a lot of refined and processed foods, no doubt it had a role in my chronic disease.
-------------------- Why me? Well, why not me??? Posts: 411 | From San Francisco, CA | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
I do food combining and it helps. No protein with starches. If you want a potato, just don't eat it when you eat protein.
I eat a lot of vegetables and an apple a day.... by itself. Do not eat fruit with any other food.
If you're looking to lose weight, this will do it...bigtime.
I'm not even trying to lose, but have lost 25 lbs since December. About 10 of it was lost when I was unable to eat very much following a bile duct problem.
Now my appetite is back, but I'm still losing weight.
I feel pretty good!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
Sparkle, they aren't really kanine teeth. That is just the name they chose...look at real canine teeth. again, I am not trying to be preechy...but I will say my health went through the roof after becoming a vegetarian and the a vegan. Figures, now I have some kind of infection or Lyme. Ugh!
I have my B12 checked every year and it is normally on the average to high side! I thin somewhere along the course of evolution we developed the need for small amounts of B12. Regardless, I still think the healthiest diet is vegetarian with B12 supplementation. I just go by what history has shown and by what the world's healthiest populations have shown. Do what works for you.
Not to get personal, but those who eat meat, do you have regular and easy bowel movements? I found my system became sluggish and "clogged" when eating meat regardless of fiber intake.
I had a cancer doctor and two other docs say to avoid dairy so I assume that holds with goat's milk as well?
Anyway I do eat some soy yogurt.
Interesting on the food combining. I read the studies on that and they proved it false.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
While I am definitely NOT a vegetarian I have found that reducing carbs (bread, pasta, etc.) is helping me bounce back - not to mention I'm losing weight like crazy - this was necessary too.
As for dairy, I can't have it - my Vitamin D levels were in the toxic range, so cheese, whipped cream, fat free cream in your coffee - sigh - all gone.
But I am enjoying experimenting with beans and brown rice - although I only have that 1x per week - the rest is lean meats. Sometimes red meat is added in there (I just love a good steak) but mostly it's fish, chicken and tofu - tofu is a new find for me and I'm in love with it.
I feel great, am losing weight and the exercise helps with the toxins as well.
-------------------- If you think it you can achieve it; if you dream it you can become it! Posts: 22 | From Germantown, Maryland | Registered: Apr 2008
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
quote:Originally posted by Blymey: While I am definitely NOT a vegetarian I have found that reducing carbs (bread, pasta, etc.) is helping me bounce back - not to mention I'm losing weight like crazy - this was necessary too.
As for dairy, I can't have it - my Vitamin D levels were in the toxic range, so cheese, whipped cream, fat free cream in your coffee - sigh - all gone.
But I am enjoying experimenting with beans and brown rice - although I only have that 1x per week - the rest is lean meats. Sometimes red meat is added in there (I just love a good steak) but mostly it's fish, chicken and tofu - tofu is a new find for me and I'm in love with it.
I feel great, am losing weight and the exercise helps with the toxins as well.
Depends on the person, when I was a trainer I was able to get people to lose weight and become very defined by having them go vegetarian and oly eat whole grains, nothing refined.
I eat enough carbs to start my own business and that was the thing that got me the leanest of my life...no meat since all meat has saturated fat and no oils.
I am not supposed to have red meat due to my high risk of cancer with having MGUS.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
Thanks for the updates. There have been theories about the "evolution" of humans & some attribute the development to eating fish... just a thought. I'm not sure I agree with that but it's interesting.
There are also concerns about soy products as being a good food for human consumption.
posted
Hi! I have been a veg for many years.I do eat eggs and milk,yogurt(plain). Also,Bio-K yogurt. The amazing thing is my B12 is very high(don't take B12 supplements)and also,my cholesterol is high.Milk is organic and just in my tea. I take EFA but do not eat fish. I take milk Thistle since I am on IV Rocephin. Had Lyme since 2002,but was not dx till Feb 2008. Athean
Posts: 196 | From from a far | Registered: Jan 2008
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
quote:Originally posted by R Snow: I think that a no starch diet is too drastic of a recommendation. Starches are complex polysaccharides that feed healthy bacteria in the gut lining and improve assimilation of nutrients. Whole grains, root vegetables are starchy but healthy when eaten with a balanced meal!!!
A better change, might be to eliminate refined grain products such as crackers, breads, pastas, but keep on whole grains such as barley, steel cut oats, quinoa, etc. Refined grains are low in nutrients and the sugar is easily absorbed into the blood stream. Starchy foods can tend to be higher glycemic and since lyme disease has been connected to insulin resistance and sugar loving yeast, it is important to eat in whole form and with other higher protein foods.
For instance, rice with beans is good. Rice by itself will tend to have a negative effect on insulin resistance. Oatmeal with a few nuts is another good example of mixing foods for optimum nutrition and least impact on blood sugar.
I hope this helps.
Rebecca Licensed Nutritionist specializing in Lyme
I do already eat a lot of how you recommend but my doctor is saying I may need to eliminate starch for a while and carbs other than veggies for carb. Beans and rice are a ton of carbs.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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