What IS Best For Me!?!?

Today is week 3 of the Vegan diet. I can already tell it isn't working for my body. I feel hungry, weak and tired. Yes, it could just be me. It could be that's as good as it gets? My stomach is feeling much less bloated, but it's also less full. I stay full for a shorter period of time then before.

"Are you eating meat again yet mom?"

My mom had surgery this morning and my cravings were out of control last night. I seriously wanted to go get a hamburger after taking her home. But I didn't. What I did do was go get an organic gourmet turkey breast sandwich at our local deli counter. I thought it was a good compromise. I felt better right after eating it. Satisfied and full in a good way. 

I want to try eating a small amount of animal protein again.
Turkey and chicken breast
Goat and sheep cheese
Eggs

This hummus toast was delicious.

I think the "short chain fatty acid" way of eating is where I had the most success. That's what I changed to when I stopped needing my chair every time I left the house. I can also combine it with foods best for my mitochondria. Seeds/nuts, berries & leafy greens.

I'm really burnt on Asian dinners. But the lotus root in my stir fry was yum.

I did some more research today and learned that a strict Vegan diet doesn't always support the metabolic stability that I need. I also learned that the two food groups that make up short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are "soluble fiber" and "resistant starch."

Resistant Starch: Is a type of carbohydrate that resists digestion in the small intestine. Because it isn't broken down early, it travels to the colon where your gut bacteria ferment it into short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate - the SCFA most linked to mitochondrial health, gut repair and metabolic stability. All good things I want.

Soluble Fiber:  Fiber that dissolves in water (so your small intestine) and forms a gel-like texture. Your microbiome ferments it into acetate and propionate, which support metabolic regulation, blood sugar balance and gut health. It feeds the beneficial gut bacteria, reduces inflammation and enhances SCFA production. 

Types of resistant starches to eat:

• whole grains
• seeds
• beans
• green bananas (or powdered green bananas)
• raw potato starch
• sweet potatoes
• sorghum
• millet
• quinoa
• starchy foods like rice, potatoes, oatmeal that are cooked AND COOLED! Who knew? They need to be cooked, then cooled, then either eaten cool or slowly reheated. 

Best sources of soluble fiber: 

• apples
• citrus
• mushrooms
• onions
• garlic
• carrots
• oats
• psyllium husk
• berries
• brussels sprouts
• sweet potatoes

When these foods are combines in meals I get a broad spectrum of SCFA, which is IDEAL for my gut health and my mitochondrial health. Especially if I add on some fermented foods.

Animal proteins only matter as much as my own reaction to them (I think I'm sensitive) and their fat content. They support my metabolism and energy levels, but they have nothing to do with SCFA production. Facinating. I wish all of this was taught to everyone. 

Getting The Hang of This

Today marks four weeks since I received the big news about my genetic mutation. I met with my wonderful primary care doctor (who is sadly retiring) last week. He thought it was so amazing that I could have both a protein mutation and an enzyme mutation. I don't make COQ10 on my own and I can't process any long-chain fatty acid foods.

Lucky for me I can take COQ10 as a supplement and change my diet. These four weeks have gone by very quickly. It has been "All hands on deck" for my mom, my husband and myself. We are learning as much as we can about all foods. It's very hard to find pre-made food that fit the bill. Eating whole foods while out, or making it ourselves is the best way to go.

From pasta sauce to crackers, long-chain fatty acids are everywhere. I'm very fortunate to have extra eyes reading labels for me. I thought I had found a good oat milk for my coffee, but it turns out I was wrong. Then my mom found this.

Just oats, no oils.

I'm so happy this happened during summer while I have gobs of fresh fruit and vegetables at my fingertips. This has been my "go to" for lunch lately. So scrumptious! Fresh bread that my husband makes for me, local goat cheese with fresh pepper, roasted chicken breast, delicious juicy tomatoes topped with lavender sea salt. I feel very advantaged to have access to this food.

Those sweet and spicy pickles are addictive.

I feel like I'm really getting the hang of eating this way. I don't feel like I'm missing out at all.

My walking is going very well. I still feel a bit gangly and not quite like I used to when I walk. But it hasn't been very long. I know those muscles will take time to go back to the way they used to be. I'm having patience with myself (something being disabled has taught me.)

Eating out takes a little tweaking. Mexican is pretty safe as long as the beans have no lard. I haven't had any problems so far. I also do a lot of research before hand when we eat out, so I know just what I'm ordering. 

My mom took this picture of me the other day and it perfectly captures how I'm feeling. Like I've been re-born. Given another chance at a strong healthy life. I crave physical activity now and I want to keep it that way.