Looking for Vegan Mamas with Rheumatoid Arthritis

[KodyAnn]

Hi!

I was dx with RA when I was 26; I am now 33.  I finally (after many different medications) tried a vegan diet on a whim to see if it would help.  I jumped in with both feet, and suddenly my whole house was vegan (except the girls who still ate cheese).  Within a week I was able to use a can opener, open jars and bottles... you name it.  So clearly, for me it worked.

I got pregnant early this summer, my RA went into remission, and I went back to an omnivorous diet.  Unfortunately, I lost that pregnancy last month and have had flare after flare since then (including one a week before my m/c, which should have been an indicator...).

Anyone else choosing vegan for RA/Lupus or other autoimmune disorders?

[Calliope84]

Me. I am trying to anyway.  I have autoimmune thyroid disease and I had cancer before.

[KodyAnn]

Do you find it to be helpful?  I've noticed I can sneak eggs into baked goods and be OK, but in general I need to be strict. 

(I also have Hashimoto's in addition to RA)

[josamen]

Originally Posted by KodyAnn 

Do you find it to be helpful?  I've noticed I can sneak eggs into baked goods and be OK, but in general I need to be strict. 

(I also have Hashimoto's in addition to RA)

if you want to maintain veganism in baking as well 1 T. cornstarch + 3 T. water can substitute for one egg in baking without any noticeable change in consistency but if using eggs in baking doesn't set your RA off then you don't have to...although using cornstarch + water to sub for eggs in baking might be cheaper than using the real eggs

[KodyAnn]

Thanks, Josamen - I will try that.  I've used egg replacer in the past but it's just not the same.  I've heard you can use flax seed, but I haven't tried it yet. 

[josamen]

Originally Posted by KodyAnn 

Thanks, Josamen - I will try that.  I've used egg replacer in the past but it's just not the same.  I've heard you can use flax seed, but I haven't tried it yet. 

yes I've heard using ground flax seed instead of cornstarch in that formula also works but not really an option for me since if I'm not mistaken ground flax gets kind of expensive

[KodyAnn]

I bought several cups worth from the bulk section at my local co-op (to add to cereal, etc) and it ended up being cheap.  Like, maybe a dollar or two/

I have some baking to do this week, I will definitely try the cornstarch.

[josamen]

Originally Posted by KodyAnn 

I bought several cups worth from the bulk section at my local co-op (to add to cereal, etc) and it ended up being cheap.  Like, maybe a dollar or two/

I have some baking to do this week, I will definitely try the cornstarch.

maybe I'll try the ground flax if I can find any in the bulk section of the supermarket and it's that cheap....probably more nutritious than using cornstarch because of the Omega-3's in flax seed....using the flaxseed in that egg substitution formula is probably a lot like using a vegan version of those Omega-3 eggs in baking