I am Vegan for a combination of reasons. I originally went Vegetarian because I wanted to try to eat healthier. Most of the meat that I was consuming was unhealthy, like fast food for example. I noticed a big difference in how much energy I had and how overall it made me look/feel healthier and slim down. While I am an animal lover, this was not a contributing factor in my decision, HOWEVER... it should've been. Had I known then what I know now about the meat/dairy industries, the treatment (or lack of) of the animals, their living arrangements, the chemicals and filth and disease involved, it would've been the number one reason.

Now being Vegetarian/Vegan (recently vegan) for a while, I have read books and watched documentaries on the industry and the benefits/disadvantages. The results are incredible. I highly recommend The China Study... the results from the study of a plant-based vs. animal-based diet is something everyone should read. I wish I would've known earlier what I know now... the decision was very simple for me.

While I agree meat is tasty, it's not worth the cancer/heart disease that it's causing (#1 killer in america). yikes

Just to be clear, I continue to be Vegan because of science, animals and health. Most of the people around me still eat meat and it does not bother me. To each their own... but it is important to be educated.

"People eat meat and think they will become strong as an ox, forgetting that the ox eats grass."

Books:
Eating Animals - Jonathan Safran Foer
The China Study - T. Colin Campbell
Forks Over Knives - book and documentary (netflix)
Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead - documentary (more about juicing, power of raw diet)

My diet consists of: lots of fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, shrooms. I eat whatever I want and love coming up with and trying new things. Sandwiches, pasta, lasagna, soups, burgers, fries. Plenty of substitutes for my old favorites.

ETA: Sorry if tl;dr

This post was edited on 2/6/13 at 6:03 pm

4 Jump to Post ...

Report Post Jump to Post

Posted by TinyTigerPaws

Member since Aug 2004

35039 posts

Posted on 2/6/13 at 6:20 pm to emboslice

I can give up cheese mostly just fine, but giving up pasta would be killer! I'm trying to transition to whole wheat pasta at least.

I've been trying to eat better and focus on less than 1,200 calories a day based on my height/weight and I've been doing pretty well.

I thought about doing a paleo cleanse, but I'm not sure I can do it just yet.

2 Jump to Post ...

Report Post Jump to Post

Posted by lsucm10

Baton Rouge

Member since Sep 2010

1331 posts

Posted on 2/6/13 at 7:50 pm to emboslice

If that post was made on the OT it would provide many interesting responses.

I'm reading the paleo diet for athletes right now and I like what I'm reading. The hardest thing for me will be the dairy. I drink about 3-4 cups of milk a day. Love that stuff.

2 Jump to Post ...

Report Post Jump to Post

Posted by Queen

Member since Nov 2009

3021 posts

Posted on 2/6/13 at 8:41 pm to emboslice

Yeah Vegan and Paleo only cross on dairy, basically.

Paleo calls for no legumes either, because the protein isn't as pure I guess? Something like that, the people who have been doing the reading probably know better.

I did get some almond butter though, and that stuff is excellent.

Also tonight we sliced up a cucumber for spaghetti noodles. Spaghetti squash is probably better, but the cucumber worked.

0 Jump to Post ...

Report Post Jump to Post

Posted by Drew Orleans

Member since Mar 2010

21577 posts

Posted on 2/7/13 at 7:23 am to emboslice

Well, it seems like you're doing it for all the right reasons and not some hippie liberal douche ideology.

Disclaimer: If you are a hippie liberal douche, I apologize.

All of the things you listed are huge reasons to eat tons of veggies, fruit and nuts... however you absolutely need to get meat and/or fish in your diet.

Yes, I realize...

quote:
Had I known then what I know now about the meat/dairy industries, the treatment (or lack of) of the animals, their living arrangements, the chemicals and filth and disease involved, it would've been the number one reason.

but that reason isn't good enough to stop eating: grass fed beef, wild caught fish, venison, etc. Meats from animals that come into as little contact with us as possible.

If you believe in evolution, which I assume you do because you don't seem like a ra-tard, you can agree that humans have existed and evolved for 10s of thousands of years as hunters and gatherers. Our bodies have been slowly adapted more and more to not only survive off veggies, fruits, and meats, but thrive.

Now of course everything we do and eat must be in moderation. Don't go home and eat some veggies, fruit and a ton of meat. There is a balance that must be maintained there. You should eat meats, nuts and fruits in moderation but you can eat veggies until you puke.

Try introducing a serving a day of grass fed beef, wild caught fish or free range chicken eggs to your diet. It would be much better for you and is much closer to how we are made to survive based on science and evolution.

Also, learn to workout based off the things our ancestors needed to do to survive (survival of the fittest) and you will never feel better.