This is the September 2006 issue of the Low Budget Vegetarian newsletter.
This issue includes:
- note on down time
- new vegetarian web site
- working with hypoglycemia
- iron in vegetarian diets
---
Note on down time - I have been having problems this month with
this web site being intermittently unavailable numerous times, or pages
timing out on loading. My provider, AtlNetworks, has not been
responsive in dealing with the problem. So, if you find the page is
down, please let me know via email (webmaster at lbveg dot com), and
try again later. I will forward any responses I get to AtlNetworks and
let them know that word about them is getting around.
---
New vegetarian website
I received an email this month from the creator of a new vegetarian
related site, asking me to link to him, and I'm happy to help point out
new sites.
The url is, http://veggie123.com/
The main feature of this site is a free, downloadable book, "How to
Successfully Become a Vegetarian". It argues for a vegetarian or vegan
lifestyle, mostly on humanitarian grounds.
If you are interested please check it out, and please share your
opinions of the site with the owner, and with me if you'd care to.
---
Hypoglycemia and vegetarian diet
One of the people who signed up for my list this month mentioned having
an issue with hypoglycemia. I want to talk a little bit about dealing
with that when you are vegetarian or vegan.
Please take into account that this is not medical advice, and I am just
speaking from my own experience.
With hypoglycemia you can have problems with blood sugar spikes and
dips. So, whether vegetarian or not, you want to avoid foods that give
a quick energy spike followed by a drop. The worst foods are those high
in probably processed sugar and sweets. Stimulants like caffeine
and alcohol have a similar effect. Empty-calories like processed snack
foods and junk foods are also bad, since they can leave you unsatisfied
and craving more.
The best foods for hypoglycemia are dense, complex, energy-rich foods,
those that give smooth, even, long-lasting energy. Whole grains are
really good for this - brown rice, oats, millet, whole wheat products.
Brown rice especially seems to give a nice smooth, even, peaceful and
long-lasting energy.
I find that quality white rice is good also, but not quite as dense as
brown. The closer to whole and unprocessed your food is, the better
quality energy you will get from it.
If you like to snack to keep your energy up, then foods like granola
bars or trail mix are good choices.
The best way to deal with this, to to try a variety of foods, and to
pay attention to how you feel after eating - 1/2 hour, an hour, 2 hours
later. You'll be able to tell. That feedback will tell you what works
for your body, and that is the best teacher you have.
---
Iron in a vegetarian diet
If you have any problems with iron deficiency, I highly suggest you
make friends with sea vegetables - they are probably the highest in
iron, and other minerals like calcium, of any vegetable based foods.
Ten second guide - Kombu or kelp can be added to beans and stews, and
it has a flavorizing effect. Dulse is salty and flavorful. Hiziki is
also good, but needs to be cooked right. I have some starting
recipes out on my site. You might want to check out Maine Coast Sea
Vegetables (http://www.seaveg.com/) as a good inexpensive source for
sea vegetables, and for recipe ideas.
If you are new to seaweed, I have an article on my site, at
http://www.lbveg.com/Articles/seaweed.php, to introduce you to them.
On my recipes page I also have a section on sea vegetables.
Which leads to our next section...
---
Recipes for this month
Dulse sandwich ideas (http://www.lbveg.com/Recipes/dlt.php). Start here
if you're new to seaweed. Dulse, when quickly fried, is crispy and
salty, similar to bacon and similarly addicting. This recipe page has 2
ideas to get you started.
Hiziki and String Beans and Walnuts
(http://www.lbveg.com/Recipes/hizikistringbeans.php). My wife and I
frequently make a meal of a large bowl of this recipe with some plain
rice on the side. Properly cooked, hiziki is very rich, hearty and
satisfying.
---
And that is all for this month.
Happy and healthy eating to you, and best wishes for the New Year.
Regards,
Charlie Obert
-----
Low Budget Vegetarian Survival
http://www.lbveg.com