I often wonder if it is absolutely NECESSARY to have meat as an o. Hmm.. like can I substiture egg whites and a little seafood until I am ready to get it back in my diet or am I fooling myself?

I am never going back to hi carb diet with fruit or grains, but wondering if I can modify my plan

You can modify it and see how you personally respond.

I know that I get depressed and lethargic if I don't eat enough red meat, and I gain weight when I don't get enough animal protein.

Why exactly do you want to cut out red meat and poultry? What do you think it will accomplish?

Quoted from ruthiegirl

You can modify it and see how you personally respond.

I know that I get depressed and lethargic if I don't eat enough red meat, and I gain weight when I don't get enough animal protein.

Why exactly do you want to cut out red meat and poultry? What do you think it will accomplish?

I dont even know why I want to cut it out other than I dont like the idea of eating animals anymore It just came all of a sudden, and I am not sure what is going on.I also do more yoga and wonder if that has played a role in my eating decision.

I feel lighter when I do not have meat, but then again, perhaps my portions were just too big before. I am really thinking about getting some meat tomorrow to see how I feel, I am just too unfocused lately and I want to feel good again. I also noticed that by not eating meat, I am forced to eat more greens which is not always a bad thing.

Not sure about the weight, I think I am the same as before.

and... I am in rigorous PhD program that depends alot of time and energy. I am actually wasting too much time analyzing what to eat. Kind of ridiculous in a way.

Marjorie,
You have a point regarding portions.
Just for your info....
My yoga teacher was a vegetarian and had skin, concentration and digestive problems. We were discussing diet one day and I told her about Dr. D and BTD.
She didn't know her blood type but was sure she was an A like me.
That same month she had a regular check up and a blood test. She was sad to find out she is an O-. After reading my copies of Dr. D's books and being a science major in college she was sold especially on his theory of lectins.
Against the willingness to do so, she began to eat chicken and turkey broth then added tiny amounts of the poultry. Soon she tried a half portion of grilled salmon.
It was about a month before she ate a few bites of buffalo.
Also know, she is an animal lover and naturalist. And yoga enthusiast!
Her skin cleared up, (she actually glows) no more brain fog, and she is "regular" without gut aches! She still thanks me for sharing the BTD!

Quoted from marjorie

and... I am in rigorous PhD program that depends alot of time and energy.

My experience, there's NOTHING better for copious mental energy throughout the day like starting your day with juiced greens - 200 - 250 cc would be enough - and a portion of freshly cooked beef!!!! Your body will tell you how modest a portion.

There's nothing else like it. A feeling of freshness and best mood. After that - your mind is quiet and completely free until the afternoon! You'll forget all about it.

Quoted from marjorie

I dont even know why I want to cut it out other than I dont like the idea of eating animals anymore

I had this idea for 37 years (21-58 years old). I knew very well why I was holding to it, and I didn't let go. All in all, I didn't eat meat at all for almost 29 years. It didn't do me any good.

Quoted from yaeli

I had this idea for 37 years (21-58 years old). I knew very well why I was holding to it, and I didn't let go. All in all, I didn't eat meat at all for almost 29 years. It didn't do me any good.

Thanks, I really appreciate your comments. I need inspiration right now! Lately, I just feel like I am obsessing way too much over what to eat and I want to just let it go and "be".

I do think my body thrives on meat, and I guess I need to just get back into eating it again...

It has been a rough month and my body feels the effect of the stress. Plus, I still feel bloated alot more. I will listen to my "gut" as they say, it is your second brain.

I understand also.  That's why I didn't eat meat for around 25 years, and I was deeply into yoga, meditation and also teaching classes in both.  I tried vegetarianism, veganism and raw food eating, also macrobiotics for a while.  The real trap was the less I ate meat, the less I wanted it.  I thought I was doing the right thing - for my body, for the planet and for the lives of animals.  

The plus was that I felt 'light' and 'clean'.  The problem was that I was sinking more and more into depression and my digestive system was slowly deteriorating until I had problems digesting nearly everything.  I was bloated and had IBS.

I won't go into the yukky details of all the ways my health unraveled over those more than 2 decades except to say that it ended with cancer.  Dr. D's perspective hit me right between the eyes and I realized that I was 'not so slowly' killing myself.  It took only a little while of eating the amount of meat (and fish) that he said was what my body needed before I felt like my own self was emerging again.

Quoted from Victoria

I understand also.  That's why I didn't eat meat for around 25 years, and I was deeply into yoga, meditation and also teaching classes in both.  I tried vegetarianism, veganism and raw food eating, also macrobiotics for a while.  The real trap was the less I ate meat, the less I wanted it.  I thought I was doing the right thing - for my body, for the planet and for the lives of animals.  

The plus was that I felt 'light' and 'clean'.  The problem was that I was sinking more and more into depression and my digestive system was slowly deteriorating until I had problems digesting nearly everything.  I was bloated and had IBS.

I won't go into the yukky details of all the ways my health unraveled over those more than 2 decades except to say that it ended with cancer.  Dr. D's perspective hit me right between the eyes and I realized that I was 'not so slowly' killing myself.  It took only a little while of eating the amount of meat (and fish) that he said was what my body needed before I felt like my own self was emerging again.

V-
Thank you for sharing this.... I really had goosebumps because this is EXACTLY how I feel right now. The less meat I eat, the more I am feeling bloated and having a hard time eating anything. I just said this to my co-worker this evening, " I do not even want to eat anymore" which is not a good thing. I am going to get some beef tomorrow for sure as well as alot of fish. With dedication and the "will to live a happy  and healthy life" I have to move forward again following btd. I have not had any avoids during my vegan phase, but I have not eaten beneficials for sure.

Well, that is a white lie.. I had some canola oil in my hummus and some olives.

For sure, I keep thinking I am doing the right thing for the planet and my body, but I see how "all over the place" my mind is because my body is not getting the nutrients it needs. Seriously, you are an inspiration to me.

Victoria thank you very much for your sharing.

sometimes I really need my lamb...beef is equal for me..but not lamb

Quoted from marjorie

I am just too unfocused lately and I want to feel good again. I also noticed that by not eating meat, I am forced to eat more greens which is not always a bad thing.

Maybe the meat is the key

Quoted from marjorie

For sure, I keep thinking I am doing the right thing for the planet and my body...

If you don't take care of "self", you won't be able to care for anybody/anything else. If you are mindful of how the food is produced that you consume, you are taking care of the planet. Animals eat animals, and we are animals. It's the cycle of life. It's hard not to follow others in their beliefs, but you'll be better off if you do what's in your best interest. JMO

Quoted from Drea

If you don't take care of "self", you won't be able to care for anybody/anything else. If you are mindful of how the food is produced that you consume, you are taking care of the planet. Animals eat animals, and we are animals. It's the cycle of life. It's hard not to follow others in their beliefs, but you'll be better off if you do what's in your best interest. JMO

MHO too. I'll drink to that! (a cup of bone broth)

I'm not an O, but I still need a certain amount of red meat.  The only ones I am allowed (that are readily available) are beef liver and lamb, and since money is tight, I was putting off getting some lamb - trying to fill the need only with liver.  I started getting brain fog and decided that I needed to get some lamb, ate a whole leg over the period of a week and felt much better.  SWAMI tells me 4 portions per week, but I need to have some variety as well.

I often lose my taste for meat, was also once a vegetarian (both because I love animals, and because I sometimes felt sick after eating it prepared certain ways). I can never just eat a bunch of meat that I don't love the taste of.

I find that if it loses it's appeal, I just eat less, but eat the meat I really like even if it is more expensive or time-consuming to prepare.  The portions don't have to be big to get a big benefit, if the quality and flavor are good.  I also have to balance it out with vegetables or it just feels too heavy.

Quoted from Melissa_J

I often lose my taste for meat, was also once a vegetarian (both because I love animals, and because I sometimes felt sick after eating it prepared certain ways). I can never just eat a bunch of meat that I don't love the taste of.

I find that if it loses it's appeal, I just eat less, but eat the meat I really like even if it is more expensive or time-consuming to prepare.  The portions don't have to be big to get a big benefit, if the quality and flavor are good.  I also have to balance it out with vegetables or it just feels too heavy.

Sounds alot like my situation, thanks for sharing your experience. I did it today. I had a nice workout in the am, then did errand, then had a salad with beef for lunch....yum! I felt so much better. Perhaps I can just modify my portions and not eat it as often, but I dont think I can go back to vegetarian... It does not feel right to me anymore.

Also, I noticed how much more focused I am today and now I just need to keep it up. If I start to feel too heavy, I will just cut back like you mentioned.

So hard to believe that eating beef can be good for you after all I research on health promotion states that we should live a vegetarian lifestyle. In fact, this is also tough because it looks like my dissertion is moving towards the health promotion focus!

Quoted from Drea

If you don't take care of "self", you won't be able to care for anybody/anything else. If you are mindful of how the food is produced that you consume, you are taking care of the planet. Animals eat animals, and we are animals. It's the cycle of life. It's hard not to follow others in their beliefs, but you'll be better off if you do what's in your best interest. JMO

Great point. Thank you so much I had beef today for lunch and felt so much better. You guys are the best!

A lot of us have learned our own bodies just as you are doing, Marjorie.  

I know I'm an A and As usually don't have as much stomach acid, so beef is supposed to be an avoid. However, I feel my best after I eat a small, lean piece of steak, which I do once every week or two. Maybe it's the Explorer in me or my individual makeup. I don't know. I just know how I feel. And since I can't eat eggs, any grains or grasses, or dairy, and I hate fish, I eat mostly chicken and a little beef with my veggies, nuts, and a little fruit.

Quoted from Victoria

A lot of us have learned our own bodies just as you are doing, Marjorie.  

Thanks, and still trying to not feel guilty about the meat... it will take time because my brain has been altered a bit.

Support helps

Quoted from Melissa_J

I often lose my taste for meat, was also once a vegetarian (both because I love animals, and because I sometimes felt sick after eating it prepared certain ways). I can never just eat a bunch of meat that I don't love the taste of.

I find that if it loses it's appeal, I just eat less, but eat the meat I really like even if it is more expensive or time-consuming to prepare.  The portions don't have to be big to get a big benefit, if the quality and flavor are good.  I also have to balance it out with vegetables or it just feels too heavy.

did you feel better going from vegetarian to meat eating again?

There are some Os who only eat a few ounces of meat a week & others who eat a few pounds a week. Start small & see how it goes. Remember that certain types of fish & turkey are beneficials(or diamonds in the SWAMI) as well as red meat.
Since you are a busy person, if you like turkey, maybe you can roast a whole one & make portions of it to freeze. Then you have many weeks of turkey. Just try to avoid the self-basting ones(additives). It's hard to find a plain one anymore! I roast it upside down to keep the breast meat moist & make the thighs more brown(which taste better). It also saves on having to baste it if covered.

Quoted from Mrs T O+

There are some Os who only eat a few ounces of meat a week & others who eat a few pounds a week. Start small & see how it goes. Remember that certain types of fish & turkey are beneficials(or diamonds in the SWAMI) as well as red meat.
Since you are a busy person, if you like turkey, maybe you can roast a whole one & make portions of it to freeze. Then you have many weeks of turkey. Just try to avoid the self-basting ones(additives). It's hard to find a plain one anymore! I roast it upside down to keep the breast meat moist & make the thighs more brown(which taste better). It also saves on having to baste it if covered.

Hi
Thanks for the suggestions. Hmm... does that mean I will have to use the oven? I dont even own a pan and just finally bought a pot. I have been living on salads for two months.

I will think about this, and would have to read the directions a million times, but I can do it!!!