Question for the What Would Julieanna Do? Q&A:
Why are you so passionate about a plant-based diet?
Answer:
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Please share your story below…how has a whole food, plant-based diet helped or inspired you? Also, if you have questions for me, ask them below or tweet them to me here!
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When I saw the movie Forks Over Knives in April of 2012 it made such perfect sense I couldn't imagine anyone seeing it and not going plant-based. One of the first books I read was The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition. The movie told me why to eat plant-based but the book told me how. My main focus was getting healthy and I was able to reduce my blood pressure to a normal healthy range. One of the side effects of eating plant-based is losing weight. I lost 70 pounds.
Just three things ;):
It is interesting the use of the world 'plant-based' in different places. In Norway they use the term but it means a diet based predominantly on plants but includes fish.
I'm very concerned about sustainable nutrition and I find that many nutritionists promote juicing which is an unsustainable practice unless the 'waste' is used as fertilizer, worm feed or reused in cooking. I'm presuming that most people (especially living in big cities) who juice don't recycle their waste products and therefore supporting a health practice that is hurting the planet and insulting people who are malnourished and underfed. Do you think it is about time nutritionists should be environmentally conscious and promote sustainable and socially conscious nutrition as more important than just nutrition?
I breed Norwegian heritage smålens geese. They are on the red list, extremely rare and are going extinct. There are less than 100 left in the world and we are lucky enough to have six of them. We feel a great responsibility in creating a breeding program and developing the population. However, as they are man-made, during the war to produce food as people were starving, they were bred to be meat animals. They cannot survive in the wild without humans – they cannot fly. Since it is not popular anymore to eat goose in Norway they are going extinct because no one wants to keep a meat bird that no one wants to eat and can't look after itself. The only way for these birds to survive is to create a modest local meat industry. That will keep the population healthy and thriving without putting stress on the land or finances. We need people to want to eat goose meat. They are raised in the best conditions, 100% real free range and have the happiest life any goose could possible have. Isn't our duty (as humans) to ensure these types of designer animals (made from ideas of the past) have a place in our world now. Nature won't have them – but farming will.
Cheers
😉
I am in my last semester to graduate with an associates degree. My major is nutrition science and I would need to go on for 3 more years to achieve my bachelor of science in dietetics along with the internship. I am so unmotivated to continue my degree in the field. I feel that I have learned more on my own pursuit of health and nutrition than most of what I have learned in school (at a hefty price tag). How can I marry up plant based in the dietetic field without a bachelor degree? Any suggestions?
Thank you for all you do for sustainability, Leanna!
That is fantastic, Sandi! Congrats on your success!
If you want to learn more, you can always read and study on your own. If you want to work in dietetics, I don't know of a way to do so without a degree and internship…
I just love the life, and feel that I am as healthy as a horse!! And see it as a step up in the right direction to a longer life..i plan on being here to see and enjoy my grandkids whenever they may arrive!
Hi Juieanna, thanks so much for your tape it totally resignated with me, I can't wait to take my labs! I have,too, finally gotten my weight under control and become NORMAL!!! It is so great.The only question I have, is I am going plant based but am still plagued by sinus problems?!? I would have thought being off dairy they would have gone away. Any insights would really be appreciated. Thanks so much
Have you been tested for any allergies? How long have you been off dairy? Sometimes it takes a while to notice a profound difference…especially if you are in an environment with something you are allergic, too.
I was able to get rid of sinus and joint issues by eliminating dairy and gluten
I went plant-based last January 2013 and I have always had thyroid issues, since last January the doctor has lowered my medicine dosage 3 times, I am totally "stoked" about this!!
Leanna, if you use a high speed blender (like Vitamix) you use the entire fruit-(seeds, stems, skins and all if you wish) add a little liquid and they are liquified in about 30 seconds. No waste, all available nutrients, in a delicious drink. I typically use 1 apple, 1 pear, about ½ C. each of broccoli, carrots, cucumber, zucchini, summer squash, and a green (kale, spinach) and blueberries! I buy fresh veggies and greens and freeze in portioned baggies. I use fresh fruit not frozen. I find it a great way to reap all of the benefits of all of the foods you like without eating each of them every day. I keep it in the fridge for a day or two.