Is a Vegetarian or Vegan Diet Healthy?
- Thread starter StarryEyed
- Start date
A
Amaris
Guest
Proteins aren't an issue at all.
"I'm Popeye the Sailor Man,
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man.
I'm strong to the finich
Cause I eats me spinach.
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man."
I don't know about studies or statistics, but EVERY vegetarian and vegan I know (about a dozen) has serious issues keeping his/her vitamin, protein and mineral balance. Everyone has to eat pills for compensation. It's not "unhealthier" since they do get what they need, they just don't get it solely from eating "plants".
The general rule is -- if you're taking in enough calories from good food and a balanced diet, then you'll be getting enough protein. There are upper limits on how much protein we can process at any given time; too much and the body literally pisses it away.
I can't speak to others' difficulties with their diet, but after two years of a vegan* diet my bloodwork is coming back great.
* Disclaimer: I'm not so obsessive that I'll ban the occasional product that has trace amounts of milk/egg derivative. I do take B-12 pills occasionally, but I could easily get as much as I need from fortified vegan-ready products.
Another significant thing to consider is how the food is prepared. Having worked in several kitchens that offered food that was perceived as being "healthy," I can say with some certainty that it usually isn't. Restaurants take shortcuts and those shortcuts usually come at the expense of the eaters' health.
Properly preparing ones own food is really the best (only) way to go.
People complain about time constraints and cooking. But learning to cook healthful meals in a shot amount of time isn't that hard to do; it just takes practice, and, of course, the only way to get that practice is by doing it.
One thing people often fail to consider is various traditional ethnic foods. Most people think of a lot of ethnic foods as being unhealthy, but usually that's the "Americanized" ethnic foods. Being an expert in Traditional Mexican (At least as much as a Scandinavian from Minnesota can be), I know sevral meals that would fit into a vegan diet and are both delicious and have high nutritional value across the board.
Properly preparing ones own food is really the best (only) way to go.
People complain about time constraints and cooking. But learning to cook healthful meals in a shot amount of time isn't that hard to do; it just takes practice, and, of course, the only way to get that practice is by doing it.
One thing people often fail to consider is various traditional ethnic foods. Most people think of a lot of ethnic foods as being unhealthy, but usually that's the "Americanized" ethnic foods. Being an expert in Traditional Mexican (At least as much as a Scandinavian from Minnesota can be), I know sevral meals that would fit into a vegan diet and are both delicious and have high nutritional value across the board.
I haven't checked the recipe thread recently, did you post up any of your recipes?
Or is there a web-site that has some of the recipes you use? I'd like to try them
No, not if you know what you're doing and get all the necessary proteins. One day the raising of animals for food will probably be obsolete, anyway. People of the future will be eating cloned meat that's never been part of a whole animal. We'll seem like primitive savages to them.
I'm not a vegetarian, though. The idea appeals to me, but it's impractical, having to prepare separate meals and all that.
I'm not a vegetarian, though. The idea appeals to me, but it's impractical, having to prepare separate meals and all that.
I honestly think there's a good portion of the population who have issues getting their vitamins and minerals. Most people could probably benefit from supplements of some sort, no matter what their diet.
I know I certainly do, but I'm a bit of a special case since there are many fruits (and some veggies) that I cannot eat.
Yeah, I know that I would have an impossible time being a vegetarian here, because I'm lazy and would default to American foods that aren't really good for me (like some of my veggie friends that eat a steady stream of pasta and grilled cheese sandwiches). When I'm eating Indian food though (especially in India) I don't notice the lack of meat and I think it's a much more nutritious diet for me overall. Keep in mind that I'm talking about home-cooked food, much like you. There are plenty of Indian dishes that are all about soaking up as much oil as possible!
I haven't checked the recipe thread recently, did you post up any of your recipes?
Or is there a web-site that has some of the recipes you use? I'd like to try them
I know I've posted several, but it was a while ago--you may not be able to find them.
Though, I'm not really a "recipe" kind of person.
If there's one thing I would recommend to a vegan it would buy a tortilla press and make your own corn tortillas. Since a basic corn tortilla is just basically corn, water, and a little salt (And you don't even need the salt.), they're actually somewhat good for you. You don't have fry them for them to taste good; and you can eat them with pretty much anything. They essentially become a different (and arguably better) substitute for bread.
Once you get the knack of it, they're actually really easy to make; and, not only are homemade ones A LOT cheaper, but they also don't have all the preservatives that come with store-bought ones. And they taste better when they're hot off the griddle.
If you want to do it REALLY cheaply, then you have to make your own masa (corn flour), but that can be labor intensive. However, I think most supermarkets these days carry it for a reasonable price.
If you're interested, there are a gazillion youtube videos that show the process. I do it a little different, but I have access to equipment that most people don't. There is an episode of Good Eats (10x1 I think.) where Alton shows a real simple way.
I have made "vegan" flour tortillas by just using vegetable shorting, but they taste so much better with a little butter. They're supposed to be made with real lard, but I can't stomach the stuff.
You may follow a vegetarian diet for cultural, religious or ethical reasons. Or you may eat a vegetarian diet to stay healthy and prevent health problems.This is a right decision .Vegetarian diets can be healthful and nutritionally sound if they’re carefully planned to include essential nutrients.
.Keep your intake of sweets and fatty foods to a minimum. These foods are low in nutrients and high in calories.
.Choose whole or unrefined grain products when possible, or use fortified or enriched cereal products.
.Use a variety of fruits and vegetables, including foods that are good sources of vitamins A and C.
.If you use milk or dairy products, choose fat-free/nonfat and low-fat varieties.
.Eggs are high in cholesterol (213 mg per yolk), so monitor your use of them. Limit your cholesterol intake to no more than 300 mg per day.
http://www.styleunion.co.uk/redken-hair-products-care--m8-menu.html
.Keep your intake of sweets and fatty foods to a minimum. These foods are low in nutrients and high in calories.
.Choose whole or unrefined grain products when possible, or use fortified or enriched cereal products.
.Use a variety of fruits and vegetables, including foods that are good sources of vitamins A and C.
.If you use milk or dairy products, choose fat-free/nonfat and low-fat varieties.
.Eggs are high in cholesterol (213 mg per yolk), so monitor your use of them. Limit your cholesterol intake to no more than 300 mg per day.
http://www.styleunion.co.uk/redken-hair-products-care--m8-menu.html
Last edited by a moderator:
CorporalClegg - thanks for the suggestions! I'm always interested in easy options for home baking things we eat (like you say - none of the preservatives that are in store-bought stuff), and the kids already do eat tortillas, we use them as a base for making pizzas
I think a vegan or vegetarian diet, done right, is healthy. I also think an omnivorous diet, done right, is healthy. Personally, I would not be able to be in optimal health on a vegan or vegetarian diet; there are nutrients I just can't absorb as well or in enough quantity from plants or supplements, so I rely on meat and other animal products.
I play hockey with 2 vegans and they don't seem to have any problems. One guy runs marathons and is starting triathalons this summer.
It's funny to me how many times when someone mentions that they're a vegetarian, some people get really upset about it. Either that or they feel the need to make sure everyone within earshot knows that they DO eat meat. I often wonder why people are so threatened by other people not eating meat.
There's also the variant of unloading detailed information about their diet and assuring you that they don't eat much meat. I mean, that's great but I didn't really want to know all that.
Around here, the reactions have improved significantly in the last couple of years but when I became a vegetarian I decided to keep it a secret because of the weird reactions you often get. Needless to say, this strategy proved totally pointless really quick.
Around here, the reactions have improved significantly in the last couple of years but when I became a vegetarian I decided to keep it a secret because of the weird reactions you often get. Needless to say, this strategy proved totally pointless really quick.
Some people react that way, most don't. In the same way, some vegetarians and vegans feel the need to pronounce on the benefits of their diet against meat-eating. Most don't.
There are people who are annoying about every subject in the world. Vegetarians and vegans aren't being singled out
It happens on such a regular basis with people who don't know me, yet, that I'm suspecting I have a neon sign on me that reads, "I'm a vegetarian. Please discuss this with me." somewhere where I can't see it. 
Similar threads
