The Vegan View

I am a registered member of the federally recognized Delaware Tribe of Indians. Kind of confused- I feel and note the closeness and awareness with plants as with animals I feel and yes, what I choose to eat is sacred, no matter the species and aware of where my food comes from. Still pulled to veganism, but...when I try it, I actually get sick - physically, yeast infections, dizziness, ungroundedness. And I have researched it. Don't handle wheat or dairy well at all. But any kind of lean meat raised with care and killed sacredly- feels natural and good. I feel sad, because I like so much about veganism, but not sure its appropriate for how I am. Thoughts?

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VegFamily readers reply:

Deborah:
I understand. Traditional ways are very important in the culture of any group. I think it is also true that groups are more than their traditions. In order to grow and thrive, we all need to be open to evolving. Eating meat was necessary in a period of human history when agricultural and food availability were limited. Now, we are blessed by many more options, we can optimize our diets. Let's rememember that food selection is primarily about nurturing health. Eating meat, which is high in cholesterol, has no fibre or anti-oxidants, can assist human being with survival but when we have food options that are better suited to our digestive physiology, we owe it to Mother Earth and our relations to follow that Path.

Shirley
I think you should definitely avoid dairy and wheat if it bothers you. I have no nutritional advice for you but I think you might like to read and article, Native Americans and Vegetarianism, by Dr. Rita Laws, a Choctaw woman. It might give you a different perspective about your culture and meat eating. Good luck! http://www.ivu.org/history/native_americans.html

Valerie:
I'm so sorry to hear of your difficulty following a vegan lifestyle and diet. Are you familiar with Jack Norris's Daily Recommendations for Vegan Adults? He is a registered dietician with a site called VeganHealth.org. http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/dailyrecs As far as the Native American issue, there is a wonderful interview that was done on the Animal voices radio back in 2005 with a woman named Rita Laws. She is a long time vegetarian who is Choctaw and Cherokee. On the website, there is also a link to an article she wrote entitled "Return to the Corn." http://animalvoices.ca/2005/02/08/native-americans-and-vegetarianism-with-rita-laws/#comment-40 I wish you all the best. I hope this helps. Blessings to you.

Renay:
Have you read Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet? I am wondering if the symptoms you mentioned are part of your bodies withdrawal aka detox from animal products. Have you sought advice from a vegan nutritionist?

Marilyn:
I can understand your dilemma,however killing is killing, and there is a karmic price to be paid regardless. Many of us have programming that is connected together with our heritage, but as we grow and learn, we must walk our own path, and harmlessness to all living beings is the best path to walk in life.

Billy:
I am a registered member of the federally recognized Delaware Tribe of Indians. Kind of confused- I feel and note the closeness and awareness with plants as with animals I feel and yes, what I choose to eat is sacred...
Reply: Agreed, all is sacred, or put another way, as one of my teachers likes to say "everything is sacred, and nothing is sacred"

no matter the species and aware of where my food comes from.
Reply: Yes, we are all stardust, energy and awareness, and all of what we generally think of as food is born of the same Mother.

Still pulled to veganism, but...when I try it, I actually get sick - physically, yeast infections, dizziness, ungroundedness.
Reply: Starting from a SAD (standard American diet) and only dropping the animal component will not provide high performance nutrition because of the remaining junk food component? Just as the junk food (non-food) provides a negative net health contribution when eating animals, the inclusion of junk food when following a plant based diet is a powerfully negative factor.

Whether one eats things with faces or with flowers there can be no excuse for, and no redeeming pay-offs associated with consuming junk food.

And I have researched it. Don't handle wheat or dairy well at all.
Reply: Understandably so, what passes for 'wheat' is (in most cases) is a far cry from 'true, virgin grain' and problematic for most (at least) many humans. Those of European descent may do better. Native Americans do not have an ancestral history with wheat and your 'grass-seed' corn, often contributes to blood sugar imbalance issues when part of a modern junk-inclusive diet. Additionally, most westerners have eaten (modern, devalued) wheat, as a main component of common foods and as a ubiquitous added ingredient in many others almost every day since we were weaned... This predisposes one to a 'sensitivity'.

No human can expect to do well when ingesting cows' milk, especially if the person is of an age beyond infancy. Please review: Hormones in Milk, and Rat?s Milk for People http://www.drbillyhealth.com/04012010/hormones-in-milk-and-rat%E2%80%99s-milk-for-people/ MILK MATH http://www.drbillyhealth.com/06072009/milk-math/ and Milk, and the many ill conditions it causes http://www.drbillyhealth.com/05152009/milk-and-the-many-ill-conditions-it-causes/

But any kind of lean meat raised with care and killed sacredly - feels natural and good. I feel sad, because I like so much about veganism, but not sure its appropriate for how I am. Thoughts?
Reply: With all due respect, and then some, the 'killed sacredly' thing leaves me hanging. Based on the slaughter experiences I?ve witnessed and just plain common sense, certainly the most tangible dimension of any animal is NOT comforted in the least because the guy with the cleaver said a prayer, therefore it will not yield high quality food? We may exercise all manner of techniques to soothe or suppress conscience when we hurt or kill another? We do it for ourselves; it does not comfort the victims.

That said, the body, spirit and mind become accustomed to a particular type of fuel, no matter that the fuel may be inferior and inappropriate. The being must be allowed an adjustment period, sometimes people experience the transition as uncomfortable and sometimes pleasant. Please consider the quality and appropriateness of your plant based food choices.

Then ride on the power of considering what are the best [food] choices for all. By answering that question honestly you will be directed to make the best choices for you... And considering the inborn sacredness of all life-forms, please remember that when you kill an animal you kill also, thousand of plants automatically. I'm certain that it is 'right' for us to 'eat'. Let us keep in mind that, in a natural system, as in a worldly endeavor equitable economy generally delivers the best results. A plant based diet is the right diet for humans. The 'whole food', 'no junk' part goes without saying. If you continue to include a bit of 'animal' in your plan, please, for your sake, don't let it be milk, as it is NOT a more humane choice and is likely to do you more harm than the most unappealing flesh you might choose.

I thank you from the heart for your thoughtful considerations. Know that you deserve the very best of all things. You are worthy of your own best intentions.

Judy:
A vegan diet is not for everyone. I am a vegetarian/vegan. I alternate both diets because that works for me. But I haven't eaten meat,fish, or eggs in over 30 years. I do dairy on occasion because I have trouble with soy milk. I also use a lot of almond milk. If meat agrees with you and it is slaughtered with respect and eaten with thankfulness then there is nothing wrong with that. It seems to be part of your culture and that's what makes it special to you. You can still add other foods to your diet such as tofu,tempeh,and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also use soymilk,almond milk,and rice milk in your diet. Diet changes don't have to be all or nothing. You can tweek them and have a large varieties of foods to choose from. Good luck with your choices. Listen to your body and heart. It will never steer you wrong. It will tell you what it needs. You just have to listen.

Rossella:
Try to eat more grounding food. Like roots. Also add more good fat into your diet: avocados, grounded flax seeds, coconut meat, butter and oil, nuts, seeds and nut/seeds butters. Avoid dairy and grains (especially the ones that contain gluten). Quinoa and Buckwheat may work for you, since they are seeds. Beans are also very grounding, high in protein, fats and iron. Make sure you eat only organic food. You may be sensitive to pesticides.

koffeewitch:
First off, I think there really is an entire world of difference between factory-farmed animals on an unnatural, antibiotic-filled diet and animals that are hunted with an eye toward sustainability. But what really struck me about your question was your list of physical symptoms. I wonder if you have an imbalance of intestinal flora known as candidadiasis...it would explain your physical symptoms, especially if you are replacing the meat in your diet with more starches, white breads and sugars. There is an excellent book by a naturopathic doctor called Gut Solutions: Natural Solutions to Your Digestive Problems by Brenda Watson that may be helpful. Whatever you decide in terms of your diet is always a very personal decision; but I'm sure as you continue listening to your body and heart, you'll arrive at the right place.

Tonya:
Nothing in this world is absolute. And there is no need to label yourself "vegan" to adopt as many of its philosophies as you wish. It is important for people to do what feels right for them, and you may find that, in time, you find more vegan foods that feel natural and good. And you might not. I've been vegetarian for 22 years (vegan for 12 of that) and I cannot find it in my heart to criticize any of the Native American food traditions because if all people on this continent followed these traditions and others, the health issues and environmental issues many of us attempt to avoid through veganism would not exist. Personally, killing a living creature does not feel right to me, but I sincerely recommend that you follow your heart--and feel good about doing so.

Jessica:
I too, am Native American and vegan. I understand your feelings of division. However, once I have seen the health benefits and have seen the cruelty these beautiful beings go through, I choose to be vegan. In the past meat was hunted in the wild and every bit was used and it was sacred. This is a new age and times are different, we must adapt to that. In the past meat was not served every day or at every meal. As far as your allergies go, you should read The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone, A wonderful informative book.Their is always a way to eat vegan and leave out the things that hurt our bodies, a will and always a way. Listen to your heart and see things for what they are and what we must stand for in this new day and age. As a Native American, genocide and racism are what we must fight against and animals are no exceptions to this. Be their voice, when we had none.

Sarah:
The Buddhist monk, poet, and peace activist Thich Nhat Hahn says that no one can be truely vegan or vegetarian. When we eat a vegetable, we are killing the microscopic living organisms that live on it. He says that not even the Buddha was perfect, and none of us should expect be so either. Striving towards a peaceful life, one that is filled with reverence and caring for all living things, is the point. By knowing how to treat your own body peacefully (which means respecting what upsets it) and by offering your respect and thanks to the animals you eat, you are on a peaceful path.

Barbara:
If you feel an inner voice drawing you to veganism, it might be worth experimenting with how you are implementing change. Without knowing how you are eating, I would simply ask if you are eating a variety of raw fruits, vegetables, and greens to make sure your body is getting basic nutrition. Are you "weaning" your body from meat and substituting other proteins in addition to that in greens, etc.? Also, know that if the diet you are moving to is more cleansing than the one you were on, your body could be having "detox" reactions to the change as it begins some needed healing. You might want to work with a nutritionist or health care practitioner who understands a vegan diet and can help you. There is a point of view that you are genetically wired to eat some game meat, but make some slow and supported changes first to give your chosen way of eating a fighting chance.

ksvegie:
When my husband and I made the switch over to vegan, the soy in everything made him sick. Maybe try avoiding that for awhile and see how that works!! :)

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