Dr. McDougall's Online Discussion Board

Hello

I have a question about the McDougall diet, and I hope you can help me as I can't find any references to this issue online.

I can't tolerate any kind of legumes (peas, hummus, beans or soy products). It's not a digestive issue, but my heart rate slows down to an extremely low level (29 beats/min) when I eat legumes. I get dizzy and feel that I don't get any blood/energy to my brain. Consequently, I avoid eating legumes!

My question is this: Is it possible to eat the McCougall way if I don't eat any legumes?
My worry is not the protein contents as I realize that we don't really need that much protein (>5%). Rather, I am concerned that legumes contain some vitamins and minerals that are otherwise difficult to find on a vegan diet. Especially if I also avoid eating nuts and seeds.

Can fruit, vegetables and grains alone provide all vitamins and minerals necessary (save B12 and vitamin D) or is this diet just not for me?

Hope you can help.

Thanks.

Tine

Tine, yes you can eat the McDougall diet without having any legumes. Chef AJ is allergic to legumes so she never eats them and her doctors have assured her that she can be healthy without them.

Welcome to our forum!

TINEJENSEN wrote:Hello

I have a question about the McDougall diet, and I hope you can help me as I can't find any references to this issue online.

I can't tolerate any kind of legumes (peas, hummus, beans or soy products). It's not a digestive issue, but my heart rate slows down to an extremely low level (29 beats/min) when I eat legumes. I get dizzy and feel that I don't get any blood/energy to my brain. Consequently, I avoid eating legumes!

My question is this: Is it possible to eat the McCougall way if I don't eat any legumes?
My worry is not the protein contents as I realize that we don't really need that much protein (>5%). Rather, I am concerned that legumes contain some vitamins and minerals that are otherwise difficult to find on a vegan diet. Especially if I also avoid eating nuts and seeds.

Can fruit, vegetables and grains alone provide all vitamins and minerals necessary (save B12 and vitamin D) or is this diet just not for me?

Hope you can help.

Thanks.

Tine

I have never heard of anything like this. There must be some micronutrient in beans that causes this. Are legumes the only foods that cause this? What is your RHR with no legumes in your diet?

I agree it's a very strange reaction, but to answer your question, you can definitely do this food plan without any legumes. Chef AJ is allergic to them and hasn't had a bean in over 10 years. Dr. McDougall restricts them to less than a cup a day, anyway. All plant foods contain protein so as long as you're taking in enough calories you'll be getting all the protein your body needs.

I wish ppl who ask questions would return and follow-up. This is how we learn from each other. <smh>