I’m going vegan.

It’s something I’ve been thinking about for some time now, but I can first remember considering it when I learned of Daniel’s challenge to the king to eat a vegan diet. I recently thought of it again because of my renewed vigor for the spiritual, enlightenment, and harmony…how could I live in harmony with the world when I ate the life in it, especially such tortured life that goes on in our slaughterhouses? Certainly, I would be much more comfortable hunting my own meat, because I could at least ensure that the animal doesn’t live a life of suffering, and that honor and thanks would be given for the life instead of just an electrical zap to the brain and into a vat of boiling water.

What really pushed me over the edge is a book I bought dealing with the diet of people who have fibromyalgia (FM), a syndrome I developed in the Marine Corps. It doesn’t advocate vegetarianism specifically (it mentions fish and also has recipes with meat), but does speak of vegetarian, vegan, and raw diets tested on FM patients, with the greatest results coming from the vegan and raw diets.

So that’s the back story. I have a few questions for you experienced vegans out there…keep in mind that I will not only be on a vegan diet, but a natural diet, so pre-packaged, over-processed, additive-filled animal-free products are off-limits to me.

1. What are any tricks, tips, etc. that you’ve learned/discovered?

2. Do you grow your own food? Where do you live that you do this, and how hard is it? I usually end up killing plants…I don’t have a green thumb. I have heard of little communes where people come together and have a patch of garden, would this be advocated?

3. I come from a bodybuilding background. It died with my diagnosis, but I like to maintain as much muscle as possible. I have already made the switch to soy protein from whey for my post-workout protein shakes. Are there any other ways to ensure that I am getting complete protein? I do know that grain + legume = complete protein.

4. Do you take any supplements? I hear that vitamin B12 is an animal-only supplement. How do you ensure that your supplements are vegan?

5. What does your daily diet look like?

6. I am not specifically looking to lose weight, but especially considering my concern with muscle mass, how much weight am I anticipating to lose? I exercise several times a week (cardio, weights, yoga).

Thank you in advance. Namaste.
cin2win: I should probably have also stated that I will be eating an extremely varied diet that will be rice in various enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Do I still need to worry about hair loss and whatnot?
Thanks, tmkt, for reminding me of my delicious sushi. :(

However, I would prefer specific answers to the questions from everyone who answers. Thanks.
Hypertrophy: It’s funny you mentioned that. I am a huge fan of Indian food, especially admiring how tasty it is without adding a bunch of junk. I have some pre-packaged Indian cuisine for convenience…it’s kosher, vegan, and more, while also providing whole food with no added crap.

So.. I know I’ve asked similar questions like this before. Don’t go spastic on me lol(:
Anyway, something I always forgot to mention in my previous questions was that my dog refuses to eat any raw meat. If I want her to eat it, it has to be cooked. I usually have to boil it.
Although I just don’t trust raw diets, I have tried them with no success. She just WON’T eat them. I’ve had so many people tell me on here to feed raw when my dog just refuses.
Plus I’m getting fed up with commercial dog food, which I have fed for years, and almost all my dogs have had some sort of health issue.
And, if I make sure to balance it and add supplements, would it be safe to use Raw or B.A.R.F. recipes and just substitute cooked instead?
I CAN feed raw bones, but last time I did, my dog almost got internal damage because they splintered, but fortunately no damage was done because she threw them up the same night. (They were sharp too because I accidentally stepped on one and cut my foot).
Thanks in Advance(:

I am going to put my dogs on a Raw Diet, but I have some questions on what and how much to feed.

To feed a dog a raw diet, does this mean, I go to my local grocery store, pick up bags of chicken drumsticks/wings/necks and start feeding to them raw? Or do i need to do something else to it?

Also, how much should I feed? I have two boxer puppies (6 months, 40 pounds). And what about vegetables. What types should I give? I also read that you shouldnt give raw vegetables, but you have to grind it up. Is this true?

I know you can buy packages of raw/barf food, but I would like to do it on my own. I have been searching through the web, but if any of you can provide some experience or recipes, that would be great. Thanks!
Please, if you dont believe in Raw diets, do not answer. I understand that many dont like it, so just skip the question.

I’ve read good words on the raw diet.It sounds great, cats evolved to eat meat & you can be sure that they are get proper nutrition assuming you get a proper recipe.

My vet’s against raw diets b/c of the risk for bacterial infection.I understand.I’m a medical student and even the human stomach’s pH can go down to 1 during digestion, but raw foods are also risky for humans.

Assuming that I am careful with the source of the meat (I’m thinking of whole rabbit carcass cut into chewable pieces, much of the bacterial infection is from grinding meat and mixing meat from an infected animal with meat from other animals), storage, and get a proper recipe, is this ideal compared to highly respected cat food brands like Wellness?

What were the opinions your vets had?

What have you found helpful? Just like human medicine, vets are trained to use commerical products like meds and Rx foods. Little education is given about preventative nutrition. Have you had any useful reads on nutrition?

I am interested in making homemade dog food for my 3 year old chihuahua and my 12 week old malchi. I have found a few recipes, but I need more information on what nutritional guide to go by. Like how much meat and which vegetables and fruits to use and how much. I am not interested in the raw food diet since they include bones and being that my dogs are little and one is so young. Also with the raw diets, I hear there is risk of e. coli. I definitely want to cook mine. Also which vitamins or supplements are the best to add? Thank you!
Can i get some more info. on the raw diets such as Barf and raw meaty bones diet?

Yes, I did already ask this but no one really answered my question…please don’t tell me I shouldn’t switch my cat’s diet as it is neccessary for my one cat’s health as 1 is sick because of the commercial food.

I have been thinking about switching my cats to a raw diet for quite some time. Since I’m going to be getting a dog soon, I’ve decided there is no better time than now to really work towards switching them to a new diet. I do have a couple of questions though…first of all, if I am understanding the information I have read so far correctly cats have much more extensive nutritional needs than dogs…this slightly freaks me out as I’m afraid I won’t supplement their raw diet correctly. So look online I found this pre-mix for raw foods it’s called alnutrin, does anyone know anything about this? Do you think it is quality? You have to add raw meet and water that’s it. It’s fairly cheap w/o shipping and says it makes 32 pounds of food.
Also, I can’t find anything like this for dogs…is it because it isn’t necessarily needed? Can anyone recommend a pre-mix of quality for raw diets for dogs?
Does anyone have any recipes for making a homemade dry kibble, as I would still like to free feed my cats throughout the day, or any other recommendations for switching my cats (and soon to be dog) to a raw diet?

Here is the link to the stuff I am looking at http://www.knowwhatyoufeed.com/alnutrin_with_calcium.html

I have been thinking about switching my cats to a raw diet for quite some time. Since I’m going to be getting a dog soon, I’ve decided there is no better time than now to really work towards switching them to a new diet. I do have a couple of questions though…first of all, if I am understanding the information I have read so far correctly cats have much more extensive nutritional needs than dogs…this slightly freaks me out as I’m afraid I won’t supplement their raw diet correctly. So look online I found this pre-mix for raw foods it’s called alnutrin, does anyone know anything about this? Do you think it is quality? You have to add raw meet and water that’s it. It’s fairly cheap w/o shipping and says it makes 32 pounds of food.
Also, I can’t find anything like this for dogs…is it because it isn’t necessarily needed? Can anyone recommend a pre-mix of quality for raw diets for dogs?
Does anyone have any recipes for making a healthy dry kibble, as I would still like to free feed my cats throughout the day, or any other recommendations for switching my cats (and soon to be dog) to a raw diet?
Sorry I meant to attach this earlier this is the link for that mix stuff:

http://www.knowwhatyoufeed.com/alnutrin_with_calcium.html

Ok first of all…the reason I want to change my cats diet is because they have been eating commercial cat food which is terrible for them, my senior cat is pre-diabetic and needs to lose some weight.
Second, my cats have been exposed to dogs because I believe in socializing my animals to people and other animals…really who doesn’t do this?
Third, I think you can make homemade kibble and that’s what I would be interested in doing…PLEASE ANY RECIPE is greatly appreciated.

i have a 13 weeks old kitten who is very picky eater and very sensitive. i used to feed her locally made wet cat food but it made her poop a lot and lethargic so i switch to friskies and whiskas kitten food ( i alternate) and she is gaining weight, becoming very active and poop a lot less ( a poop a day). but i heard that both brand is a low grade food and bad for the cat in long term and frankly speaking a little too expensive. so i was thinking os switching her to raw diets, but the problem i’m having is not procuring the chicken carcass (we own a chicken farm) but the supplements needed for it (psyllium, salmon oil, glandular supplement and vitamin e and b complex). i cannot simply buy it online since all of the sites do not deliver it to my country and it is not easily available in shops. i do however have bought ‘excel kittyvite vitamin paste’ could i use that in lieu of the all the supplements listed. i’ve checked the ingredients, i contain vitamin a and b , taurine and cod liver oil. could anyone check if this is possible. and how much should i used. my kitty and i is forever grateful.

I have a new boerboel and i want to feed him a totally raw diet. Don’t judge me im not making some fightin dog or doing this because i think it’s cool. He’s an indoor dog. I believe raw diets are healthier and have owned malamutes and molassers before. I just want to make sure that he gets ALL the nutrition he needs from this raw diet so should i give him raw nuts too? So could someone just tell me a raw diet for dogs thanks.

I’ve finally made the decision to give a 90% raw diet a chance. I don’t necessarily plan on doing it long term, my plan is to do it for 2 weeks. I have a potential meal plan set up from recipes I got from "Raw Food Detox Diet" and I’ll be going to the farmer’s market this weekend to stock up. :)

My biggest concern is that I’m in a pretty serious strength training program so I’m looking for anyone who has made a transition with regular strength training/exercises. The book has lots of good info but it’s not geared towards athletes. I will probably eat fish once or twice a week, other than that i will be flesh and lactose free. I do have a trainer and I’m going to consult with her but she isn’t that familiar with raw diets.

I have 5 cats but it is only 3 I am worried about. 5 year old male with a history of urinary blockages controlled with Hills Prescription Diet c/d. 13 year old male in mild kidney failure. He has had 2 flare ups requiring us to give subcuteaneous fluids but is fine currently. 9 month old male adopted 2 months ago who had severe coccidia infection when we brought him home. After two days he started leaking diarrhea all the time. We did several weeks of prednisone and flaggyl which have cleared up the coccidia. After resolving the coccidia he still had leakage and a mucusy discharge so vet suspected IBS and put him on Hills Prescription Diet d/d which is a rabbit and pea based food. We haven’t had any leakage in a couple of weeks now so she said to stay on this food.

I looked into the raw food diet before but my vet recommended against it for fear of salmonella, etc. I still would like to give it a try but would love to hear from others using a raw diet with ill cats.
I should have been more specific as to the treatment of the coccidia. He tested positive for coccidia which was treated with Albon(?sp) and Prednisone. We did three rounds of this with no improvement. At that point the vet said that it could be IBS and put him on Flaggyl for two weeks and the HIlls food. Her explanation for the IBS was that he was allergic to the protein source (chicken) and that the HIlls uses rabbit. I thought this to be odd just because it seemed more logical to me that it was the corn and other grains that would be the problem since cats are carnivores. She said that it is normally not the case. I asked her about the raw diets I have seen (Feline Futures, Feline Instincts, and one off the catnutrition.com site). Her opion was that it wasn’t safe due to the risk of salmonella, etc. I thank those who have responed and would love to hear from more raw feeders.

Is there a supplier in Tucson that caters to people feeding raw diets? Or should I just buy the stuff from my local grocery store? Anyone else in Tucson doing raw diet?