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Health knowledge made personal
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Health knowledge made personal
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Vegetarian Diets are a much healthier and a more sustainable way of life. There is so much mis-information about protein out there (even on this website) and the reality is that the protein from a plant based diet is MUCH healthier and compatible to human physiology than animal protein. FACT: Vegetarians overall have LESS cancer, heart disease and chronic disease than meat eaters.
FACT: Cows milk is meant for baby cows. we are the only animals EVER to STEAL the mother's milk from another animal - even as ADULTS. ridiculous. There are strong connections to drinking cow's mother's milk and many diseases.
Must Read: THE CHINA STUDY
Why is everyone so obsessed with protein? When was the last time you heard of someone with a protein deficiency who was getting adequate calories and who didn't have an eating disorder? If you look at the amount of protein an adult needs in a day, and then look at what one eats on a reasonably varied vegan diet, it's almost impossible not to get enough protein unless you're restricting the variety of foods in your diet. Same goes for things like calcium, vitamin C and iron. Generally, vegan diets that are based on a variety of whole foods are fine. The only thing that you really have to watch out for is B12 and vit D (if you live north-ish and don't buy fortified products).
I'm with May. Read The China Study. Read the vegan sourcebook.
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Nutrients Necessary for a Vegetarian Diet
Posted by Nirmala N.
If you're thinking of becoming a vegetarian, be sure to do it carefully. Sometimes, vital nutrients that are found in meat sources are lacking in vegetarian diets when they lack variety.
For example, protein is necessary to maintain healthy skin, bones, muscles, and organs. Vegetarians who eat eggs and dairy products can get protein easily. Soy products, legumes, lentils, nuts, and whole grains are also great sources of protein.
Calcium is vital to overall health and strong teeth and bones. Low-fat dairy products and dark green veggies (spinach, collard greens, kale, broccoli, etc.) are high in calcium, as are tofu enriched with calcium, fruit juices, and soy milk.
Vitamin B-12 is also necessary for the production of red blood cells--only thing is that it's almost exclusively in animal products, which means you can get it from milk, eggs, and cheese. Enriched cereals, fortified soy products, and vitamin supplements are other ways of ensuring it's in your diet.
Iron is also important for building red blood cells. You can usually get it through dark green leafy greens and dried fruit, as well as dried beans, peas, lentils, and enriched cereals. Also, foods rich in vitamin C (strawberries, citrus, tomatoes, cabbage, etc.) help you to absorb non-animal sources of calcium.
Zinc is a meneral that plays a strong role in protein formation and cell division. How to go about getting it? Just make sure your diet is rich in stuff like whole grains, soy products, nuts, and wheat germ.