When it comes to eating, there are many eating lifestyle options/diets out there and it can be overwhelming. Some include:
Vegetarian: a person who does not eat meat; someone whose diet consists wholly of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and sometimes eggs or dairy products
Vegan: a strict vegetarian who consumes no food (such as meat, eggs, or dairy products) that comes from animals
Omnivore: diet includes both plant and animal foods.
Ketogenic: a diet that supplies large amounts of fats, moderate amounts of proteins, and minimal amounts of carbohydrates and that is undertaken for weight loss or to control seizures in treatment-resistant epilepsy
Paleo: a diet approximating that of hunter-gatherers of the Paleolithic period and consisting mainly of preagricultural foods (such as lean meats, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds) and strictly limiting foods (such as dairy products, legumes, grains, potatoes, and refined sugar) which did not exist prior to the development of agricultural practices
Mediterranean: a diet typical of many Mediterranean countries (such as Italy and Spain) that consists mainly of cereals, grains, vegetables, beans, fruits, and nuts along with moderate amounts of fish, cheese, olive oil, and wine and little red meat
Raw: involves consuming foods and drinks that are not processed, are completely plant-based, and ideally organic. Raw foodists believe that at least three-quarters of a person’s food intake should consist of uncooked food. There are four main types of raw foodists: raw vegetarians, raw vegans, raw omnivores, and raw carnivores.
My focus on this post is whether or not the vegan lifestyle is best. Of course we know fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of the vitamins and minerals we need to feed our cells and organs, but are they enough?
With interest in the vegan lifestyle peaking, more and more fast food chains and restaurants are offering no-meat items. There are many veggie burgers and soy-based “meat” products out there now hopping on the vegan bandwagon.
Burger King has the Impossible Burger (630 calories) that contains soy, potato protein, coconut oil, sunflower oil and heme.
McDonalds has the McPlant (510 calories) that contains water, pea protein, coconut oil, rice protein, potato starch, potassium chloride, vinegar, yeast extract, beet juice and Maltodextrin.
And Chik-Fil-A will be coming out with a cauliflower based “chicken” sandwich.
NotVeganFriendly posted a humorous side-by-side comparison:
But is the plant-based, no-meat argument going way too far?
The Daily Mail posted this article just recently detailing the findings of a study that found women who ate mostly plant protein sources WITH animal protein were found to be 46% more likely to be healthier as they aged.
Dietician, Garrett Swisher, states, “Animal protein is considered complete, meaning that it contains all 20 of the amino acids, whereas plant proteins do not always contain all amino acids needed for protein synthesis.”
“Animal protein is likely better at building muscle given its complete amino acid profile and better digestibility. Animal protein is higher in the amino acid leucine which helps stimulate new muscle growth and with muscle recovery after exercise,” says Kate Cohen, dietician in CA, “Plant-based protein is generally wrapped in a fiber package which means you don’t absorb as much since your body doesn’t break down fiber easily,”
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization looked at over 500 studies and concluded that eating animal proteins offer much needed nutrients and should be incorporated into diets.
But what about the argument that red meat is bad for you and will give you heart disease and high cholesterol? This viewpoint has been long held for year and years.
Today, many doctors will still tell you that red meat is horrible and that it will increase your cholesterol, your risk of heart attack or stroke and increase your risk of getting cancer.
But keep in mind, doctors and the media told you “fat free” was the way to go so there was fat free food products everywhere. Three things came out of this:
- because products were labeled “fat free” consumers were eating twice as much
- low fat or reduced fat food products are way more processed
- your body does need fat to function; limit trans and saturated fats but consume good fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated
And what about eggs? Eggs were long held to be horrible for your heart and arteries as the cholesterol contents were too high. Now eggs are deemed an excellent source of Vitamins A, D and B12 and studies have shown the cholesterol in eggs don’t negatively affect the body.
However, I came across an article on Ann Arbor Holistic Health and encourage you to read it. It is quite fascinating and tells you how these studies regarding red meat are flawed and praise red meat for its richness in Vitamin D, B vitamins, Protein, Iron and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
Also, within the above mentioned study conducted by the UNFAO, they found beef consumption improved cognitive functions and protected against iron deficiency.
It is up to you to read and decide what food lifestyle is best for you. Personally I tend to have hypoglycemia so eating animal proteins and good fats are wonderful for me. I have been on the Paleo diet and it worked for me. I could never fathom trying any vegan diet as I know I will feel tired and weak from it; I know my body feels full and satisfied with the higher protein found in meat.
Why?
Well, another argument against going vegan is that studies are now finding vegan eaters are more and more anemic. They are not getting the sufficient iron needed.
The American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine suggests that vegetarians are more likely to have low iron levels, leading to fatigue, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, pale skin, cold hand and feet and shortness of breath.
Animal proteins are excellent sources of iron and if vegans are not getting enough iron they may have to consider changing their diet lifestyle and/or start taking an iron supplement. But be careful when taking an iron supplement as it can cause constipation. You may want to take a stool softener with your iron or, the best option, is to take Floridex Liquid Iron that is iron without the side effect of constipation. I have used this before and it works!
From a Biblical perspective, God even gave man the permission to eat animal flesh. Genesis 9:3 states:
“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.”
With every person’s body chemistry different, it is important to research to see what type of diet works best for you. Don’t let the media or social media cause you to jump on the latest diet fad.
There’s a new fad called the Blood Type diet. Depending on your blood type, you are told what foods work best for you; however, it has been dismissed and studies have shown there is no correlation between blood type and foods.
In my opinion, I think eating meat has gotten a bad reputation but I personally don’t believe it especially since God gave us permission and who are we to argue with Him???
I don’t know about you, but I’m craving a meatloaf for dinner tonight!
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