So, Ian had his 9 month appointment today and I told his Doctor that we are not eating meat or dairy. He was mostly supportive, but he did say that I, while nursing especially, need animal protein. He said when Ian is no longer breastfeeding he also needs animal protein. He said it is because of the enzymes found in animal protein that is not in plants or beans that he needs for development. He said egg whites and yogurt a couple of times a week would be enough. What do you all think of this? I am having a hard time swallowing it.
You couldn't pay me to give my kids dairy. I have been reading "Skinny Bitch Bun in the Oven" and w/ that your docs info sounds off. From everything I am reading meat and dairy is bad for you. I would recomend that you try to breastfeed till your son is at least 2(that WHOLE human breastmilk is very important). Go on amazon and google up a vegan kids. Read up on it and then decide from there.
As long as you are eating a balanced diet you and your nursing child are fine. You do not have to eat animals. The doctor saying differently is probably just ignorant on the issue of what proteins are whole without being dead animals. Most people are ignorant about that.
What's a Complete Protein? Inquiring Vegetarians Want to Know.
http://www.fitsugar.com/Whats-Complete-Protein-Inquiring-Vegetarians-Want-Know-165298
Protein is essential for many bodily processes, including building and repairing tissue. You use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Plus, your hair and nails are mostly made up of protein. It is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.
Protein is made of smaller components called amino acids, 12 of which are manufactured by the human body. Another 9, called essential amino acids, must be obtained from food.
A complete protein or whole protein is a protein that contains all of the essential amino acids.
All animal proteins are complete, including red meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Vegetarians will be happy to know that complete proteins can also be obtained through certain plants, such as soy, spirulina, hemp seed, amaranth, buckwheat, and my fave quinoa.
Foods can be combined to make complete proteins like pairing beans with rice or corn. There are other combinations as well. Beans and seeds, beans and nuts, and beans and grains will form a complete protein. When you eat hummus and pita bread, nut butter on whole grain bread, pasta with beans, veggie burgers on bread, split pea soup with whole grain bread, and tortillas with refried beans, you are eating complete proteins.
Fit's Tips: Recent studies show that the beans and the grains don't even need to be eaten at the same meal, so if you eat beans for lunch and rice with dinner, you've got yourself a complete protein. You may spread your food combination over a 2-day period.
He is feeding you a line of crap!!! There is absolutely nothing about animal protein that you or your child needs.
Tahnk you for the info on food combinations... I knew that you got different amino acids from different foods, but I always thought you needed them at the same meal... this will be a big meal planning help.
I agree, you do not NEED animal protein. You NEED protein, for sure, but so long as it is ballanced...
Yes, thanks for this! I was reading about this as well and so when he said we need these enzymes that only animal protein provides us, it wasn't sitting well. I like this Doctor and I was a little disappointed to hear him say that we need animal protein. He also said carbs are carbs when I told him we don't eat any white bread, white flour or white pasta and everything in our home is brown and whole grain. I couldn't disagree with that more. He really kind of threw me off a bit. I will continue to take my son to him, but we will not be sharing everything we do. I am trying to find a local Vegan/Vegetarian Nutritionist here in CT and I am having a really hard time. I think having some guidance and support from someone who focuses on this will be very helpful for us.
Quoting Bleacheddecay:
As long as you are eating a balanced diet you and your nursing child are fine. You do not have to eat animals. The doctor saying differently is probably just ignorant on the issue of what proteins are whole without being dead animals. Most people are ignorant about that.
What's a Complete Protein? Inquiring Vegetarians Want to Know.
http://www.fitsugar.com/Whats-Complete-Protein-Inquiring-Vegetarians-Want-Know-165298
Protein is essential for many bodily processes, including building and repairing tissue. You use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Plus, your hair and nails are mostly made up of protein. It is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.
Protein is made of smaller components called amino acids, 12 of which are manufactured by the human body. Another 9, called essential amino acids, must be obtained from food.
A complete protein or whole protein is a protein that contains all of the essential amino acids.
All animal proteins are complete, including red meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Vegetarians will be happy to know that complete proteins can also be obtained through certain plants, such as soy, spirulina, hemp seed, amaranth, buckwheat, and my fave quinoa.
Foods can be combined to make complete proteins like pairing beans with rice or corn. There are other combinations as well. Beans and seeds, beans and nuts, and beans and grains will form a complete protein. When you eat hummus and pita bread, nut butter on whole grain bread, pasta with beans, veggie burgers on bread, split pea soup with whole grain bread, and tortillas with refried beans, you are eating complete proteins.
Fit's Tips: Recent studies show that the beans and the grains don't even need to be eaten at the same meal, so if you eat beans for lunch and rice with dinner, you've got yourself a complete protein. You may spread your food combination over a 2-day period.
As a country we are far too hung up on protein in general. We could all do with much less than most eat everyday but it's such a pervasive mandate it's difficult to keep that in mind. Take a look sometime at what cultures live longer. Many of them don't eat meat very often but rather fish. This idea that red meat is sooooo important for us is total garbage.
However, doctors are human, flawed creatures. They have hang ups, prejudices and quirks. I had one doctor for my child absolutely obsessed with constipation. My child rarely had this issue, yet it came up at each doctor's visit. Clearly it was HER issue. I found it stupid and amusing that she expected me to be checking my kid's stool too.
Another doctor told me some crack pot thing about putting some med in "all of my orifices due to 'yeast syndrome' and to stop taking birth control pills" next! Never went back to see him. I no longer even clue my doctors in that we are veggie unless it has some actual medical issue involved. Most just can't handle it. They go a bit wide eyed and nutso.
I would not continue to take my child (or myself) to a doctor that I did not believe in. There could be some medical issues come up that may go mis-diagnosed because your doctor does not have all the information needed to treat effectively. I would try to find a vegetarian or vegan friendly doctor in your area...
I'm not surprised about the animal protein comment, because doctors aren't nutritionists. If he hasn't done research on vegan diets, he wouldn't know. I am however, concerned about his carb comment. Isn't it common knowledge that whole grains are better than refined? Because he lacked common knowledge, I think I would have lost trust in him.
I certainly don't disagree with you, but I have a hard time with the idea of ditching this Dr. all together. I guess we'll have to see how it goes over the next couple of appointments. I am looking into a local nutritionist/dietitian to help us, but I have to say, I am having a really difficult time finding one who specializes in a Vegan lifestyle.
Quoting STVUstudent:
I would not continue to take my child (or myself) to a doctor that I did not believe in. There could be some medical issues come up that may go mis-diagnosed because your doctor does not have all the information needed to treat effectively. I would try to find a vegetarian or vegan friendly doctor in your area...
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on Oct. 21, 2011 at 5:58 PM