Entries Tagged as 'Vegetarianism'

The Truth about Vegetarian Diets

In our Western society, a common nutritional belief is that meat and animal products must be consumed in order to maintain a well-balanced, muscle-building healthy diet.

Those who turn away from this traditional way of eating and choose a vegetarian diet are often considered “granola-head hippies”…or even just plain odd.

But more and more people these days are discovering the many health benefits of a vegetarian diet. Additionally, more physicians and scientists are prescribing and endorsing plant-based meals in order to promote health, prevent and treat certain diseases, and even to reduce weight.

Although vegetarianism may seem like a modern fad, in reality, its health benefits have been known for centuries in many cultures world-wide. India and many Asian countries make up the largest percentage of the world’s vegetarians, both for health and spiritual reasons. One group of people, the Hunza — who live near the Himalayan Mountains — have an exclusively vegetarian diet. Members of their community reportedly often live to be over 100 years old.

The American Dietetic Association states that the benefits of a vegetarian diet include: 1) lowered cholesterol; 2) lower levels of saturated fat; 3) higher levels of important minerals and antioxidant vitamins; 4) lower body fat; 5) lower rates of heart disease; 6) lower blood pressure; 7) lower rates of type-2 diabetes; and 8) lower instances of some cancers.

Obesity, one of the major health concerns in this country, can be addressed with a vegetarian diet, one that eliminates excess protein and animal fat consumption, and increases fiber in the form of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Those who consume a vegetarian diet maintain a lower body mass index (BMI), which significantly aids in the treatment and management of other chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes.

One common question asked by anyone considering a vegetarian diet is: “Will I get enough protein?” That is certainly a valid concern, as protein is necessary for the building, maintenance and function of all body cells. However, according the American Dietetic Association, a varied and well-balanced vegetarian diet provides all the protein the body needs from eating such things as whole grains, beans, nuts and soy products.

In fact, meat-based diets typically provide excess protein, which may actually be harmful. A leading gerontological journal reports that too much protein can cause a person to lose about 30% of their kidney function by the time they become elderly. It can also cause systemic acidity, which the body attempts to counter by pulling calcium out of the bones. This can, unfortunately, lead to osteoporosis.

Becoming a vegetarian does not mean you are limited to eating celery sticks, apples and nuts. There are many types of vegetarians that eat meatless diets in a variety of combinations. Some of the more common types include:

Lacto vegetarians, who do not eat meat or eggs, but do eat dairy products such as milk and cheese.

Lacto-ovo vegetarians do not eat meat, but will eat dairy products and eggs.

Ovo vegetarians do not eat meat or dairy products, but will eat eggs.

Vegans do not eat meat, dairy products, eggs, or any animal products at all.

There are many medical and health organizations that promote, endorse, and support people on a path toward changing their dietary lifestyle to one that includes more plant-based foods.

Additionally, many restaurants and grocery stores provide meals and products to vegetarians, making it simpler to choose this healthy lifestyle.

Research and information exists out there on the internet, as well as through medical providers and vegetarian organizations.

The bottom line: it’s OK to be vegetarian, and the benefits may very well enhance or even save your life!

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About the Author:
Ally Cook is writer for “Girl Does Diet”, a health, diet, fitness and “Lookin’ Goooood” website at www.GirlDoesDiet.com. Ally is attempting to lose weight while keeping her journal for motivation. Stop by and join in the fun ~ you may learn something you didn’t know before!

 

Tags: Vegetarianism

Meat Eaters Beware

Man belongs to the primate family, all members of which are complete vegetarians. By and large primates were not created or suited to digest the dead flesh of another creature.

Indeed it is a rare but not unknown occurrence to see a gorilla or baboon in the wild dining off an animal carcass. Much of mankind and many great civilizations have remained vegetarian and indeed are often healthier than their meat eating counterparts.
For example the Buddhist people of the Far East and indeed 90 % of the population in India have been vegetarian for millennia. The Hunza people of South America, also vegetarians are renowned for their remarkable health and longevity, it is known that the vegetarian inhabitants of the Vilcababamba valley in Ecuador frequently live more than 100 years old and one inhabitant was recorded to be 142 years of age.

Again and again it is noted that the major degenerative diseases of Western society including cancer, heart disease and diabetes hardly if at all affect vegetarian populations.
Indeed in vegetarian cultures these diseases, which are the mainstay of band aid treatment after the fact, are practically unknown and are very uncommon in these vegetarian cultures.

Compare the anatomy and physiology of man with that of a typical herbivore ( for example an ape) with that of a typical carnivore ( for example a lion) and you will notice that first of all that herbivores have jaws that move laterally and vertically , and teeth suited for grinding. Carnivore’s jaws move only vertically, and their teeth are only suited for ripping. Secondly carnivores have 15 times more hydrochloric acid in their stomachs than herbivores such as apes. Lastly carnivores such as lions have an average only three feet of intestine. This is done so that flesh can be expelled before the body before it has time to putrefy and go rotten. Whereas herbivores have over 22 feet of intestines. Mankind’s intestines generally range from 18 to 24 feet in that range of 22 feet.

Meat is not part of mankind’s natural diet. Mankind was not created to be a meat eater. It does not take much common sense or knowledge to see to whom we have more in common : it is apparent that mankind by virtue of his or her anatomy and physiology was never created for or intended to eat meat. It was noted by the renowned anthropologist Desmond Morris in his classic study – the book “Manwatching”, that “In origin, man is a fruit picking primate turned hunter”.

Mankind was created by nature to be a vegetation herbivore rather than a meat eating creature, For the sake of your health and longevity this should be considered in your choice of diet. It is now increasingly easy and indeed fashionable to have a vegetarian lifestyle. This even includes many restaurants and fast food chains and not only niche restaurants such as Indian restaurants.

Consider mankind’s evolutionary physiology, diet and history when considering your diet. Consider your health and longevity. You were not “made to eat meat”.

Betty Remple Morgellons Research Foundation Com www.jerkbossesihaveknown.com www.morgellonsresearchfoundation.com

 

Tags: Vegetarianism