Our contributor says going vegan
transformed not only her body but also her life. Read on for how she did it and
how you can too.
About half a million readers log on to
score Nora Tobin's exercise and diet pointers every week, making her one of our
website's most popular contributors. And why not? The competitive beach
volleyball-player-turned-model-turned-lifestyle coach is the picture of health
(check out those abs!).
About
half a million readers log on to score Nora Tobin's exercise and diet pointers
every week, making her one of our website's most popular contributors. And why
not?
But nearly three years ago this 25-year-old
Santa Barbara-based California girl was suffering from debilitating stomach
pain, which had plagued her for half a decade. Doctors were mystified and
finally blamed the symptoms on an unspecified gallbladder malfunction, advising
her to have the organ removed. Desperate not to go under the knife, Tobin
researched her symptoms and asked friends for advice. One suggested Dying a
vegan diet eliminating all animal products on the theory that the proteins
might be disagreeing with her. Tobin took a chance, and within two weeks the
discomfort she had lived with for so long had disappeared. The surgery was off.
"I'm still pain-free, and I know it's
because I'm sticking to an all- natural, plant-based diet," explains
Tobin. "It wasn't easy at first, but over time your body adjusts to a new
way of eating and you don't crave the foods you once lived on."
Fueling her day
Pre-Breakfast Drink
1 glass of water with a squeeze of lemon
and a splash of apple cider vinegar
Breakfast
Açai Bowl (shown below, from Backyard
Bowls, a local chain): blended açai berries with vegetables, topped with fresh
fruit and grains
Açai
Bowl
Midmorning Snack
Chocolate-flavored Garden of Life Raw
Organic Protein Shake and an Almond and Coconut Kind bar
Lunch
Homemade broccoli soup. Small kale salad,
and a handful of Original Mary's Gone Crackers Afternoon Snack Homemade kale
chips
Dinner
Homemade veggie burger topped with lettuce,
tomato, and ketchup on a multigrain bun, baked sweet potato fries, and a green
salad
Dessert
2 Uncle Eddies Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
vegan cookies andl cup unsweetened Almond Breeze almond milk
Vegan done right
Studies have shown an association between
plant-based diets and a lower risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and
some cancers. Thinking about trying this regimen? Tobin offers these five steps
to success:
1. Go slow: Have a vegan meal once a week,
then work up to two, four, and eventually all seven days. “Don’t try to change
overnight. This is a new lifestyle you’re adopting,” says Tobin, “not a fad
diet.”
Have
a vegan meal once a week, then work up to two, four, and eventually all seven
days.
2. Keep it simple: Milk is a good place to
begin, because of all the vegan-friendly alternatives: soy, almond, etc. (For
more on these and others, turn to page 108.) “Find one you like and work it
into your diet,” says Tobin. “Once you’re used to it, start switching over to
vegan cheeses and other products.”
3.
Get creative:
Stock up on some cookbooks to get rolling in the kitchen. Tobin’s current
favorites: Chloe’s Kitchen ($20; amazon.com) and The Joy of Vegan Baking ($22;
amazon.com). When you eat out, don’t hesitate to talk the menu over with your
server and even offer suggestions if needed. Cooking veggies in olive oil.
instead of butter is a simple fix for many dishes. “You may have to mix and
match some items, but you’ll always find something delicious,” says Tobin.
4. Cover your nutritional bases: Vitamin
B12 is only available in animal products, so you’ll need a supplement for that.
Tobin, a brand ambassador for GNC, takes its Women’s Ultra Mega Active
multivitamin, B12, and Green Tea Complex supplements daily. In any case, be
sure to talk to your doctor or a nutritionist to find out about your individual
needs. 5. Mix it up Tobin relies on a handful of staples (grains, beans, fruit,
nuts, and lots of veggies), but she keeps her palate entertained by using a
variety of spices in her cooking. Her favorite condiment is Bragg Liquid
Aminos, a protein concentrate. “It’s a great substitute for soy sauce because
it has less sodium,” she explains.
