I just started about 5 days ago and made a post under weight loss, but when I saw how infrequently this section was used, I figured I had to put in my 2 cents here as well. I feel much better reading how many of you had the same problem I have: having to start including some animal protein in your diet. I hated admitting that I was protein deficient, but my hair was so thin and straw-like and I was so exhausted, that I knew I needed to get more protein. First I used soy protein shakes, but they used up most of my daily meals! I knew there was a better answer, and turned to fish and dairy. I'm sniffly again, but my hair is better. Then a personal trainer read me the riot act about my weight and insisted I try the zone. So I got some books and began reading. A day or so ago I got the Soy Zone as well. I know how to make seitan, but I make it from whole wheat flour. How does it count? Obviously the flour label won't help me, as I rinse out the starch. I am new to all of this and trying to be patient (no weight loss yet), but I want so badly to get rid of this weight, balance my crazy insulin (I'm hypoglycemic), and feel better. Any words of wisdom would be well appreciated. Thank you!

Hi...and welcome to the forum...I would do a google search to see if you can use wheat flour to make seitan...I buy mine already made so I don't know if you can use wheat flour or not...I too was all veggies and now eat fish, chicken, turkey and soy in the Zone..I don't comsume a lot of cheese or milk because they cause me some problems but I consume them in small amounts..Carol :)

Thanks for replying, Tiger. I do have a box of wheat gluten (the easy way to make seitan) that I suppose I could look at for the counts. But basically when you start with whole wheat flour (which is easier to find than wheat gluten), you just knead it and soak it until all the starch rinses away and only the gluten (protein) is left. I suppose I could ask Dr. Sears, as well. I have been veggie for over 4 years, but when I noticed my hair getting thinner and scraggly, I realized it may not just be my wonky thyroid but could be the lack of protein. So I started drinking soy protein shakes and in about 2 months, my hair was so much thicker and more colorful! Even my hubby noticed!!! The other day I did the unthinkable and tried the McDonalds trick that Dr. Sears taught me years ago when I first tried the diet (but couldn't stick to it). I bought 2 hamburgers and took off 2 halves of bun and stuck them together. I kept telling myself "it tastes just like a boca burger" as I ate it, but I felt a little grossed out. However, I was in a situation where I didn't have the resources to eat how I'd like. Anyway, I'm trying to stick to it, but my life's a little crazy right now. I'm just making the effort one meal at a time.

I have been a vegetarian for 30 years now, and vegan for about 15. I really have trouble believing that we can blame a vegetarian diet for things like thinning hair. I believe it's because the total food that's being eaten is deficient - often we undereat vegetables, which is where most of our minerals come from. (Could be that's the source of thinning hair!) Over the years I have heard many things blamed on a vegetarian diet. The truth is, I was a vegetarian when I weighed the most I ever weighed! I used to joke that I'd be in big trouble if chocolate chip cookies had meat in them.

I'm new to the Zone, but am determined to follow the Soy Zone. (I hate meat!) It seems counterintuitive to "have to" eat foods that we have no appetite for. I'm sure I'd gag on meat burgers, too.

Hope I can report back to you later that I'm successful! There is info in the archives about the "soy problem" you might find interesting.

Regards,