So I'm A Vegan Now
... or at least I will be for a month. It's strange... two years ago when I joined my friend John for a bi-weekly vegan potluck and book study, I had no idea that at the end of the two-month study I'd be giving vegetarianism a go and that it would have lasted two years (with a few minor hiccups along the way). I also never fathomed giving up eggs and dairy, and I don't know yet if I'll give that up long-term, but I wanted to try and see how things go.
Justin gave me a book called The China Study for Christmas and while I'm not quite finished with it (another few days of lunchtime reading), the authors hammer their point home pretty consistently: animal proteins have a starting correlation with disease rates.
Now I admit, it's fairly easy to find "research" to tell you pretty much anything you want nowadays. The science industry seems to be corrupted with corporate dollars and as an evidence-based kind of guy, I find that terribly disappointing. What I do still believe after volumes and volumes of information I've read in the last few years is that the industrialization of our food system has not has a positive effect on our health. I truly believe the prevalence of processed grains and sugars has hurt us because we eat far too much of them.
I admit I've been a "junk-food vegetarian" -- though it's not because I used sugar and processed junk as a substitute for meat. It's more because I've always abused those foods, ever since I was a kid. I was a "junk-food omnivore" before I eliminated meat. So the direction my diet needs to go in is one that includes many more fresh vegetables and fewer sugars and grains. The nutritional benefits we gain from consuming dairy products are available by consuming those higher quantities (and varieties) of vegetables, so if I'm doing that right, I shouldn't be missing anything by eliminating dairy. And really, this is how I'm looking at it: adding more healthy vegetables, not removing the nutrients that I get from my beloved cheese, butter and eggs.
Justin is taking a "paleo diet" approach to his health (meats, vegetables, no added sugars or grains), which should make for interesting dinner planning!
The bottom line for me is that 30 days will not kill me. If I feel cruddy or my bloodwork takes a turn for the worse, that will be an indication that something needs to change. If I see positive improvements (and I do have specific targets in mind), that tells me something also.
Justin gave me a book called The China Study for Christmas and while I'm not quite finished with it (another few days of lunchtime reading), the authors hammer their point home pretty consistently: animal proteins have a starting correlation with disease rates.
Now I admit, it's fairly easy to find "research" to tell you pretty much anything you want nowadays. The science industry seems to be corrupted with corporate dollars and as an evidence-based kind of guy, I find that terribly disappointing. What I do still believe after volumes and volumes of information I've read in the last few years is that the industrialization of our food system has not has a positive effect on our health. I truly believe the prevalence of processed grains and sugars has hurt us because we eat far too much of them.
I admit I've been a "junk-food vegetarian" -- though it's not because I used sugar and processed junk as a substitute for meat. It's more because I've always abused those foods, ever since I was a kid. I was a "junk-food omnivore" before I eliminated meat. So the direction my diet needs to go in is one that includes many more fresh vegetables and fewer sugars and grains. The nutritional benefits we gain from consuming dairy products are available by consuming those higher quantities (and varieties) of vegetables, so if I'm doing that right, I shouldn't be missing anything by eliminating dairy. And really, this is how I'm looking at it: adding more healthy vegetables, not removing the nutrients that I get from my beloved cheese, butter and eggs.
Justin is taking a "paleo diet" approach to his health (meats, vegetables, no added sugars or grains), which should make for interesting dinner planning!
The bottom line for me is that 30 days will not kill me. If I feel cruddy or my bloodwork takes a turn for the worse, that will be an indication that something needs to change. If I see positive improvements (and I do have specific targets in mind), that tells me something also.