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Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.
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My garden is a mess but a haven for wildlife! I gets lots of bumblebees and many other things. I encourage plants that are good for insects. Last year my young Buddleia was almost completely devoured by some very pretty caterpillars. As I don't believe in harming anything, I let them. Then they all disappeared, presumably gone to pupate. The Buddleia grew back soon after, better than ever, so maybe it was a kind of symbiotic relationship.
Have you looked to see if there are any vegan/veggie contacts or groups in your area? I have felt quite empowered by joining my local group. I don't know if you are well enough for such things, but we go out for meals and have food-shares at people's houses. It's great being with other people and feeling 'normal'!
Best general dietary advice I ever got was:
Eat moderately
Eat frequently
Eat mostly plants
@MeSci I am very interested to hear some more about your diet.
Justy
ps so nice to have a thread where I don't feel threatemed about my non meat eating beliefs
I consume plenty of veg and a small amount of fruit. I limit grains, have no added sugar and avoid gluten, and have plenty of nuts and coconut oil.
I have gluten-free bread and crackers, and some root veg including potatoes.
Here is a link to a study that compared cancer and cardiovascular disease risks in vegans, veggies and omnivores.
There are many such studies, and vegans seem generally to be at least as healthy as the average person. I have been vegan for over 30 years.
I have found a lot of pressure to eat meat and go 'paleo' from M.E doctors to folks on these boards. i'm afraid that nothing is going to induce me to eat meat and I do not believe it is necessary for good health. If that is the case then all the paleos on here would be better and we would be the worse affected.
I have many many veggie and vegan friends who have never been ill, and certainly no probs like M.E. I come from a large extended veggie family. My mum, sister and brother. My husband and his mum. My 4 children have never eaten meat. My 2 year old granddaughter is a 3rd generation vegetarian - her mum is veggie and her grandma on her mums side.
If we all go out to a restaurant together it is a laugh as everyone realises we are ALL veggie!
For me to eat meat would mean giving up a huge part of my being and deeply held beliefs about the sacredness of all life. For me animals are even more vulnerable as they are so open to exploitation by humans, without a voice of their own to stop the appalling slaughter and treatment.
I also never wanted to eat meat as a child - I would be made to eat it and then chew and chew for ages - it would never go down!
@MeSci I am very interested to hear some more about your diet.
Justy
ps so nice to have a thread where I don't feel threatemed about my non meat eating beliefs