Are there any Vegans here?

[kostareyna]

More interesting, are there people here who became vegan after they had epilepsy and med side effects like fatigue and tiredness? and if so did you feel a difference after becoming one?

 

[Nakamova]

I'm not a vegan, though I've thought about it. I switched to almond milk, because my niece (who's vegan) recommended it. I think you'd need to make sure a vegan diet contained enough of the nutrients that the anti-seizure meds drain out of your system (like calcium), and as well as B12. Are you vegan Kostareyna?

The threads below discuss some of the related issues:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f39/epilepsy-vegan-diet-17354/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f39/vegetariansim-soy-epilepsy-10632/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f39/controlling-seizures-raw-foods-5585/

 

[Endless]

I've been one since I was very young, so there is no before and after comparison for me. One thing I do know is that I get lots more vitamins (naturally, through food) than most people do. Vegans also have lower rates of cancer and heart disease than meat-eaters. I have no idea if it helps epilepsy. It would be hard for someone with a gluten intolerance, but for everybody else, easy. All nutrients are easy to get with a vegan diet. Get calcium from soy, rice, or coconut milk, or from leafy greens. Get B12 from sprinkling nutritional yeast on foods. It sounds yucky but it tastes pretty good. Here's an example of how I use the stuff.

Typical breakfast, put in blender:
1 banana
1-1/2c frozen mango pieces (can be had at trader joe's or costco)
1/2c pineapple juice
2 scoops vegan protein powder (can be soy, pea, or any of the dozen other types)
1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
Whir it up until smooth. It's really good.

To make a really bad day better, whir up:
1-2 bananas
1-2 cups ice
1/4 c peanut butter
1/4 c melted chocolate

The first one is more nutritious, the second is serious comfort food.

 

[Rae1889]

I do the second one with a spoonful of instant coffee instead of the peanut butter. Its amazing.

I was never vegan, but a vegetarian for a LONG time (I could never give up cheese, I HATE vegan cheese. it sucks) and I love milk. I guess technically I was a pescetarian (ate seafood but no actual meat) and then slowly I started eating chicken and then pork and then beef. It was never a "poor animals!" reason that I didnt eat meat. more so I was grossed out about eating decaying flesh... and it doesnt agree with my stomach

 

[kostareyna]

Yes Nakamova I am vegan for about a month now.

After I listened to lectures regarding both the ethical matter and the healthy matter I've decided to give it a go, the first two weeks I was vegeterian avoiding meat but still consuming dairy, it did make me feel lighter after meals but still there wasn't a big change, few days after I stopped with the dairy at all something have changed, it became much easier to get up in the morning and it seemed as I stopped being tired after eating lunch and din't want to fall asleep even after being full.

The reason I'm saying all of this is that I had hard time with keppra and depakote, the combo was worse than keppra alone on the same dosage, after month and a half on the meds the fatigue din't seem to go away at all, it was really hard to get up from med or to function at work, after I became vegan and like 5 days have passed I felt different and a dramatic change happened. I'm still might lose a little energy but it's no big deal compared to what it was.

Now correct me If i'm wrong but side effects subside gradually or stay forever not suddenly after being there for a long period like a month or more.

anyway that's the reason I opened this thread to know if anyone experienced what I did.

And thank you Endless for the reciepe, I might try it out