The once “creature food-dominated” world is now starting to cater to the newest trend of plant-based diners. The fastest growing group of baby-boomers and the younger generation are now moving toward a more plant-based lifestyle and eating plan. They are doing this for health, as well as living a life filled with compassion for all living things.
If you are wondering if a vegetarian or vegan-based diet is right for you, you might consider the findings in a large study.
According to Mladen Golubic, MD, PhD, with the Cleveland Clinic, a national (US) dietary survey was completed with over 6,000 people between the ages of 50 and 65 years old. It was found that those who reported a high protein intake (for example: eggs, dairy, fowl, pork, beef, lamb, and more) increased their risk of death by 75 percent.
The study showed a quadruple increase in death due to cancer during the following 18 years, and a quintuple increase in death from diabetes. The participants with a moderate intake of protein had a triple increase in their risk of death due to cancer, when compared with the low protein intake group.
“It is important to note that these associations of death by disease were completely eradicated if the ingested proteins were “plant-derived”. The composition of complex amino acids (which are the building blocks of protein) that are derived from animals act very differently than the amino acids from plant protein. What we need are the amino acids, not the proteins themselves.”
I’ve personally been a vegetarian for over 35 years. When I became a vegetarian, my own health improved dramatically.
Over the years, one of the things that has always confused people is the difference between a vegan and a vegetarian. People who eat chicken and fish are technically not vegetarians, but many call themselves vegetarian anyway. That’s why there is frequently confusion about this point. So, I am going to expand on the differences between all of these types of diets.
VEGETARIAN
The mainstream vegetarian avoids all animal products that require slaughtering an animal. If they STILL eat dairy and eggs, they are called an ovo-lacto vegetarian. Milk products, such as cheeses that don’t have rennet in them (rennet is made from the stomach lining of an animal),and non-fertile eggs are allowed. Vegetarian cheeses are made with vegetable rennet, vegetable enzymes, or figs. If they do not eat eggs, but allow milk and milk products in their diet, they are called a lacto-vegetarian.
PESCETARIAN
The people who eat fish, but no other type of meat, are pescetarian. However, many people who are pescetarian still refer to their diet as vegetarianism. This is very common and this group can also be called pesco-vegetarian. Some might say it’s a branch of vegetarianism.
(With the amount of mercury and plastic in the fish today, you may wish to listen to my recent radio show with Dr. McGraw concerning fish & mercury.)
PESCE POLLO VEGETARIAN
Then there is the person who eats chicken and fish, but avoids red meat. They can be called a pesco pollo vegetarian. This type of diet is not truly vegetarian.
VEGAN
A vegan avoids all products that have an animal origin. A vegan may even avoid honey, because it is made by bees. Many vegans will even go so far as to avoid using products such as wool, leather, silk, fur, wool, gelatin, lanolin, rennet, whey, casein, beeswax, shellac, carmine, bone, or fat for their bodies or lives. They prefer to avoid using products that can be made by exploiting a living creature in any way.
FLEXITARIAN
There is presently a new eating plan sensation called the “flexitarian” way of eating. This new way of eating is for people who plan to eat less creature foods, but who don’t want to cut them out completely.
Because of this phenomenon, the food labs have been developing new types of GMO foods using beef or chicken mixed with various “plant-based” ingredients. Even though I believe that whenever people eat more wisely and humanely it is a good thing, and I am grateful for their effort, I do not agree with this type of mixed GMO food, because all of my research studies strongly urge the avoidance of ALL GMO foods. I find this new food disturbing, and I will keep you updated on any health-related research that I find regarding this new “food.”
PLANT-BASED EATING
I definitely support everyone’s efforts to eat healthier and more humanely. That is one reason why I wrote the book, “How To Be A Healthy Vegetarian,” which is in it’s 2nd edition (winner of 8 book awards & now available in audio). I want to help people on their journey to better health, along with creating a gentler more humane world. Even if you don’t want to be 100% plant-based, consuming more fresh, organic plant foods can benefit most people’s health immensely. I believe that most people do not get enough fresh plant food nutrition and fiber, which I believe is extremely important for optimum overall health and well-being.
My goal is to enlighten people on how important the quality of all foods are, including vegetarian and vegan. A lot of people believe that simply giving up animal protein is healthy, but the truth is that you can also eat a very unhealthy vegetarian or vegan diet. Sometimes a vegetarian or vegan diet could include soy, fake meats, GMO foods, conventionally grown foods, processed foods, artificial sweeteners and dyes, monosodium glutamate (MSG), unhealthy fats, fast foods, microwaved foods, and refined foods and I don’t think any of those foods are healthy. The key to good health is to find the best REAL foods that come directly from nature with the least amount of manipulation or processing by man.
IN CONCLUSION
Live in the moment, be present, listen to your heart, and try to do the best and right thing for you at all times. Our life and our health are just that: personal choices.
For many of us in transition, with new food choices or life in general, it takes baby steps. Eating more fresh organic fruits and vegetables will make your health improve. Try eating one plant-based meal a day. I would definitely recommend looking for the most humanely-raised, organic, fresh, quality food at all times, for all your meals.
Becoming a more plant-based eater, whether completely or partially vegan or vegetarian, is a journey. Simply start the journey, and see where it takes you.
copyright@nancyaddison2023
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