with my RA, the more meat or protein I eat, the worse I feel. This weekend I could barely get out of bed and I was sick with pain. Last week I had been very strict with my lc foods and ate good protein, about 45-60 grams per day. By the weekend, the pain was unbearable. With vegetarian, I feel so much better, much MUCH less pain, but I gain weight horribly. If anyone has good suggestions for low carb vegetarian, PLEASE share with me! I don't have a bookstore within 80 miles of me so I can't just run and get a book. If you know of any websites, please share. I feel so frustrated right now. I need the weight loss for my RA but I just can't eat protein foods and like I said, eating "regular" vegetarian is packing on the pounds.
thanks in advance
Ann

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"The future of life on earth depends on seeing the sacred where others see only the common."
- John Denver, 1991

Ann, I really don't know much about vegetarianism, but I can sympathize with you for not feeling well when eating meat. I googled "vegetarian low carb" and came up with several sites with some interesting information.

It's going to be difficult, and you're going to have to find the balance of foods you can eat that won't affect your RA, but won't cause you to gain. You might have to settle for maintaining weight, without loss. I wish I had some really good answers for you, but I don't; however, I can give you encouragement.

I hope you find your answers. Anytime you need to vent or scream or cry, feel free to find my shoulder. I'll listen.

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Nita

thank you Nita. I hadn't felt like searching this weekend but I look up vegetarian low carb. I didn't think it would be easy but I'm at a loss at this point. Thank you for your encouragement. I was in tears this weekend, for one reason I felt so terribly awful and for another, none of my clothes fit! I'm almost to the point of only being able to wear my sweatpants. and I'm not a sweatpants kind of person! I don't want to give up but I have to find a solution to this. I'm sure my husband is getting tired of my diet talk but I've been spinning here trying to find a solution to two problems.

thank you so much for your post. I didn't know if anyone really read the veg. section or not anymore.
Ann

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"The future of life on earth depends on seeing the sacred where others see only the common."
- John Denver, 1991

Ann, while it is challenging to low carb as a vegetarian, based on the experience of some friends who used to frequent here it is certainly possible to "moderate" carb as a vegetarian if one makes careful and moderate choices of adequate protein (soy, eggs and dairy if possible), good fats, and healthy carbs, such as vegetables and legumes, and limited amounts of fruit and unrefined grains.

Can you be more specific about what types of protein seem to make you feel worse? Meat, cheese, eggs, legumes, soy, fish? Could you describe your own typical vegetarian diet? How about your typical lc diet.

I'm asking, because as you know, protein is essential for growth and repair of tissues, formation of neurotransmitters and enzymes--basically essential for life. The question may be, then, what are the best sources of proteins for you and the adequate amount for your health and wellbeing, and what will the rest of your diet consist of. That is, finding the balance which will not only help you feel your best, but will also allow you to lose weight...

Although I'm sorry to say I don't know a great deal about RA and the effect protein may have on pain levels, I do know that whether one is vegetarian or non-vegetarian, eating refined grains, sugar, and even unlimited fruit for some people is a recipe for aches, pain, and weight gain.

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

(((Ann))), I sympathize with your situation. I'm sorry you're having a lot of pain. You know that I have RA and it's a challenge no matter how it's approached.

I have some great information about the foods that can "aggravate" RA. It's very interesting to read some of these studies about nutritional approach to RA. I don't think it's really so much the protein as a whole that is causing your problems, rather "which type" of protein is causing inflammation. Processed foods can trigger flaring for me. For example wine really aggravates the RA, thank goodness I hardly ever drink it.

I do best with managing pain from RA when I keep my diet simple. Using very few processed foods and I mean VERY FEW, which happens to be conducive to a low carb lifestyle. Once upon a time, my doctor wanted me to try adding more carbohydrates and eliminating most of the protein. DIDN'T WORK for me, for several reasons. Now that I'm back on track with KISS (keep it simple sweetie), I can see that it has helped. I also take some vitamins and supplements that I feel help.

The sad thing is that there is no exact science or method of controlling RA. The reasons for flaring are unique to each individual, as are the ways of easing the symptoms. Please don't become discouraged, which is easy to do when you're sick. We're here for you and we really care.

Visit my journal and stay in touch. Let me know if you're interested in reading those research articles.

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Ozzie's Place

thank you BC and Susie.

My version of vegetarian is lots of vegetables and some beans, really, really basic. I don't notice any problem with legumes so far, but I know they're higher in carbs too... I was doing ok with chicken for a while but anymore a few hours after eating it, I start having inflammation in my hands/wrists and feet/ankles. I don't eat much if any in the way of processed foods and I don't eat sugar because of hypoglycemia.

I love cheese but oh my gosh, it causes extreme pain, has for years. I do ok on fish still I think but here in Nebraska, there's not many places to get unbreaded fish and I'm a good 80 miles from any market that carries fresh fish.

My typical lc diet is very paleo, lots of vegetables, a little or no fruit, nuts, seeds, lean meats (chicken, maybe once a month or so beef, a little pork, not much, mostly chicken and some eggs). I used to do great on this but anymore, I hurt so badly I can't do anything. Sunday I ate total vegetarian and by this morning I was feeling alot better. Today I ate total veg. and tonight I'm feeling good. This happens everytime I eat meat or eat vegetarian. It's been this way for a year and I keep real detailed food logs and everything so I know it's not just a coincidence.

Susie, I would like the research information you mentioned.

Maybe you all can see this from the outside and go "oh, here's what your problem is." I'm hoping so anyway I feel like I'm swimming trying to keep my head above water here. I know it's an individual thing, as is most things in life, but I'd sure take any and all advice that you can offer!
Ann

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"The future of life on earth depends on seeing the sacred where others see only the common."
- John Denver, 1991

Ann, please PM me with your email. I'll be happy to send you the info. Have you ever tried warm rice bags for the pain? They're great and easy to make.

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Ozzie's Place

Ann, I emailed the links to you.

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Ozzie's Place

Ann, I know VERY little about RA, but you might want to research "eicosinoids" (sp?). In the book Protein Power, the authors, Drs. Eades talk about them and how there are good ones and bad ones. The good ones have an anti-inflammatory effect and the bad ones have an inflammatory effect on the body. I remember their mentioning something about beef fat (corn fed beef) having a lot of bad eiconsinoids and that they can exacerbate inflammation. I know too that the nightshade veggies are supposed to have aggravating compounds in them in regards to arthritises. (I assume both osteo and RA type arthritis as well as maybe other auto-immune diseases, such as Lupus). so, this might be something to look into. I don't know how much research there really is out there about this. And I'm not sure if I read this stuff in the Eades' first book or their follow-up book, possibly both. I hope you find this info to be somewhat helpful.

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Thank you Barb, I will definitely look into that. I appreciate the information!

Susie, I never received your email. Would you mind trying again? thank you
Ann

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"The future of life on earth depends on seeing the sacred where others see only the common."
- John Denver, 1991

Hi

Sorry - I was searching the net for the Atkins pancake recipe and Google sent me to your forum and I couldn't help but read your discussions. I just wanted to say that I became a vegetarian last April and, having been a faithful follower of the 'meat' Atkins diet, I just piled on the pounds with the carby vegetarian diet. I went from a nice ten and a half stone to thirteen!

However, I was in our local superstore a few weeks ago and found a new book called the 'vegetarian low-carb diet' by Rose Elliot and it's fab. I have just finished the first week of phase one and have lost ten pounds! Quorn, tofu and most meat substitutes are allowed (and are all pretty low carb) and have really found a balance again. I am sure that you could find it on www.amazon.com.

Good luck

Hi Lucy, welcome to LCE. Don't be a stranger!!! We need more veggie LCers' input here. We could use your knowledge!!!!

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Yes. Thank you Lucy, and welcome.

Hope you'll make yourself at home here.

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thank you Lucy! I'm calling Barnes and Noble to see if they can get that book in the morning. I appreciate your post!!
Ann

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"The future of life on earth depends on seeing the sacred where others see only the common."
- John Denver, 1991

It may be no good, but I just remember what a beacon the book was when i saw it on the shelf. I completely understand the misery of being caught in a rut of weight gain. I have been a real yo yo dieter all my life and hitting the 13 stone mark was the real low point for me. My husband keeps saying he loves me as I am, but i don't and it really shatters my confidence.
I am guessing you guys are in the USA? I am from Cornwall in the UK so I hope you can get the book there. If its a problem, I don't mind getting it for you and posting it. It is only about ?4 x