Many people eat what they eat for specific reasons and many just
eat without thinking. Likewise, there are several types of diets which are done for a range of reasons- health, religion, and political/social. In the case of veganism and vegetarianism political, social, and health reasons are at the heart of these plant based diets. In contrast vegans eat no animal products, though some do eat honey. Vegetarians do not eat meat but will eat dairy and egg products. Even within the realm of plant based diets there are several others. But what is the best way to eat? More and more doctors are saying that eating plant based diets with little to no meat is the healthiest way to eat. Around the world not everyone is able to eat plant-based diets, especially those who are farm based and poor. However, in America we are privileged as a first-world nation and therefore have these resources available. What is really importantwhen it comes to consuming food is being conscious about it. One must be a conscious consumer in American Society, and know what is right for their
bodies.
In our own society we have the opportunity as a first world nation to
control our diets. More and more studies have indicated the positive results of plant based eating. Plant based diets specifically those of combination diets- traditional vegan/vegetarian diets including fiber like beans, soy, or others give the best results in heart health. According to WebMD eating according to a combination diet reduced bad cholesterol by 20-35%. Furthermore, the study indicates health benefits related to weight loss, decreased insulin sensitivity, better control of blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, and other things. (WebMD) In regard to food additives they have been linked to causing and worsening mental disorders like ADHD. (MayoClinic)
I know this from personal experience. I have GAD (Generalized Anxiety disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). These disorders are a lot to handle and for a long time they were hardly even manageable. However, I was finally able to gain the balance I needed by seeing an integrated medicine doctor. He introduced me to supplements and helped me change my diet. I was a vegetarian for five years prior to seeing him. I remember once I made the switch feeling a lot better. I also used to suffer from acid reflux disease while eating meat and it just about completely went away once I changed my diet. Upon taking supplements; dopamine and serotonin, my mood and focus increased
significantly. I was even able to sleep better, which was something I had been struggling with for years. At one point he put me on this special diet that he had created himself with a colleague, which happened to be vegan in my case. It was hard at first but I learned a lot about my body and what was affected by behavior from a chemical and physiological stand point. After that I decided to become a vegan and cut out additives and flavorings from my diet. I am happy to say that my once very frequent anxiety attacks have become almost rare and my focus has improved drastically. I recommend seeing an integrated or alternative medicine doctor for any kind of medical problem. Drugs are one thing, but a good diet, coupled with drugs or not, really makes a difference.
Besides the obvious and very effective health benefits of plant-based
diets, there is also the ethical aspect. Although some people do not care about animals, many also do. There is also a correlation between eating animals and religion. Many religions like Judaism, Buddhism, and even some Christian groups refrain from certain kinds of animal products like pork and shellfish because of their religion. Whether you are religious or not, caring or uncaring, it will still make a difference. The cruel and unsanitary standards at which the meat industry mass produces, is not a secret. In fact, many means of displaying the truth are out there. One simply has to go through their Netflix to find a documentary, not to mention the countless books, and constant news about rogue workers and outbreaks of e-coli. The proof is out there but how can the message
be spread?
Many people say they can never be a vegan or vegetarian for these
reasons: they love meat too much, the Bible says they can, it part of the circle of life, evolution, ignorance, and lack of interest. How does one counteract these negative viewpoints and help them realize the truth? Well, it is not an easy thing and it certainly is not so simple. Many animal rights groups are extreme and tend to hit people over the head with their views; much like some religions that go a bit too far and are a bit too preachy. These overbearing approaches tend to deter the very people they are trying to persuade. In my opinion the best way to educate people is to ease in, don’t be a hypocrite, eat with pride and be positive about it, and spread awareness in a fun way. Don’t just criticize and use extreme methods all at once. I’ve noticed that most people ask me about what I eat and why. Answer questions, suggest movies and research, you don’t have to be so intense.
In summary, plant-based diets are the best way to eat. You don’t have to be a vegan or even vegetarian per say. Ignorance is the biggest problem. People must be conscious of what they eat because it many ways it is killing them. Even though I believe that eating animals is wrong on basically all levels, I know I can’t stop people from eating meat. The best thing to do is to live well and educate people, open their eyes to the truth in a non-judgmental way and positive results will follow.
Resources and the links to the Mayoclinic study and WebMD studies:
1.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/plant-based-diet-for-heart-health
2. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275/DSECTION=alternative-medicine
eat without thinking. Likewise, there are several types of diets which are done for a range of reasons- health, religion, and political/social. In the case of veganism and vegetarianism political, social, and health reasons are at the heart of these plant based diets. In contrast vegans eat no animal products, though some do eat honey. Vegetarians do not eat meat but will eat dairy and egg products. Even within the realm of plant based diets there are several others. But what is the best way to eat? More and more doctors are saying that eating plant based diets with little to no meat is the healthiest way to eat. Around the world not everyone is able to eat plant-based diets, especially those who are farm based and poor. However, in America we are privileged as a first-world nation and therefore have these resources available. What is really importantwhen it comes to consuming food is being conscious about it. One must be a conscious consumer in American Society, and know what is right for their
bodies.
In our own society we have the opportunity as a first world nation to
control our diets. More and more studies have indicated the positive results of plant based eating. Plant based diets specifically those of combination diets- traditional vegan/vegetarian diets including fiber like beans, soy, or others give the best results in heart health. According to WebMD eating according to a combination diet reduced bad cholesterol by 20-35%. Furthermore, the study indicates health benefits related to weight loss, decreased insulin sensitivity, better control of blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, and other things. (WebMD) In regard to food additives they have been linked to causing and worsening mental disorders like ADHD. (MayoClinic)
I know this from personal experience. I have GAD (Generalized Anxiety disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). These disorders are a lot to handle and for a long time they were hardly even manageable. However, I was finally able to gain the balance I needed by seeing an integrated medicine doctor. He introduced me to supplements and helped me change my diet. I was a vegetarian for five years prior to seeing him. I remember once I made the switch feeling a lot better. I also used to suffer from acid reflux disease while eating meat and it just about completely went away once I changed my diet. Upon taking supplements; dopamine and serotonin, my mood and focus increased
significantly. I was even able to sleep better, which was something I had been struggling with for years. At one point he put me on this special diet that he had created himself with a colleague, which happened to be vegan in my case. It was hard at first but I learned a lot about my body and what was affected by behavior from a chemical and physiological stand point. After that I decided to become a vegan and cut out additives and flavorings from my diet. I am happy to say that my once very frequent anxiety attacks have become almost rare and my focus has improved drastically. I recommend seeing an integrated or alternative medicine doctor for any kind of medical problem. Drugs are one thing, but a good diet, coupled with drugs or not, really makes a difference.
Besides the obvious and very effective health benefits of plant-based
diets, there is also the ethical aspect. Although some people do not care about animals, many also do. There is also a correlation between eating animals and religion. Many religions like Judaism, Buddhism, and even some Christian groups refrain from certain kinds of animal products like pork and shellfish because of their religion. Whether you are religious or not, caring or uncaring, it will still make a difference. The cruel and unsanitary standards at which the meat industry mass produces, is not a secret. In fact, many means of displaying the truth are out there. One simply has to go through their Netflix to find a documentary, not to mention the countless books, and constant news about rogue workers and outbreaks of e-coli. The proof is out there but how can the message
be spread?
Many people say they can never be a vegan or vegetarian for these
reasons: they love meat too much, the Bible says they can, it part of the circle of life, evolution, ignorance, and lack of interest. How does one counteract these negative viewpoints and help them realize the truth? Well, it is not an easy thing and it certainly is not so simple. Many animal rights groups are extreme and tend to hit people over the head with their views; much like some religions that go a bit too far and are a bit too preachy. These overbearing approaches tend to deter the very people they are trying to persuade. In my opinion the best way to educate people is to ease in, don’t be a hypocrite, eat with pride and be positive about it, and spread awareness in a fun way. Don’t just criticize and use extreme methods all at once. I’ve noticed that most people ask me about what I eat and why. Answer questions, suggest movies and research, you don’t have to be so intense.
In summary, plant-based diets are the best way to eat. You don’t have to be a vegan or even vegetarian per say. Ignorance is the biggest problem. People must be conscious of what they eat because it many ways it is killing them. Even though I believe that eating animals is wrong on basically all levels, I know I can’t stop people from eating meat. The best thing to do is to live well and educate people, open their eyes to the truth in a non-judgmental way and positive results will follow.
Resources and the links to the Mayoclinic study and WebMD studies:
1.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/plant-based-diet-for-heart-health
2. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275/DSECTION=alternative-medicine