The Case for a Vegetarian Diet

[SuzE-Q]

I'm not there yet myself, but this report really puts forth some persuasive evidence for eliminating all animal products from our diet in terms of reduced cancer risks.

I always thought just eliminating red meat was enough just for reducing inflammation to help with MS, but now I'm not so sure that's enough. Have a look:

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[SalpalSally]

Thanks SuzE, I read the W H O L E thing....

I'm not a vegi, but do not eat red meats and, hardly ever, grilled or fried.
Since I have been eating Lean cousine entrees and adding lots of veggies
and fruits with mostly fat free dairy and low cal whole grain bread, my
body feels better and healthier.

NOT going to be fanatical about my diet, but eating well and light is the
best I will do.

Thanks for the informative article and studies.

[Lazarus]

Hi..
I have been a vegetarian for 47 years. I do not eat meat, fish or anything made with animal products. O no soup with beef or chicken bouillon, no yogurt with gelatin..etc.

So, being a vegetarian did not stop my MS diagnosis 25 years ago.

I do not believe diets have drastically beneficial effects on diseases. But I do think that a lot of money is made by people who suggest there is a strong connection. Studies always fail to prove long term significant importance. But, yours may be correct...I just see proclamations about specific diets to be fads.

Oh, almost forgot to say, I had a stage IV malignant melanoma ten years ago. Being a vegetarian did not deter those nasty cells.

[SuzE-Q]

Hi..
I have been a vegetarian for 47 years. I do not eat meat, fish or anything made with animal products. O no soup with beef or chicken bouillon, no yogurt with gelatin..etc.

So, being a vegetarian did not stop my MS diagnosis 25 years ago.

I do not believe diets have drastically beneficial effects on diseases. But I do think that a lot of money is made by people who suggest there is a strong connection. Studies always fail to prove long term significant importance. But, yours may be correct...I just see proclamations about specific diets to be fads.

Oh, almost forgot to say, I had a stage IV malignant melanoma ten years ago. Being a vegetarian did not deter those nasty cells.

Such a great experienced perspective you've shared! I think it probably also makes me feel less guilty that I might have caused my MS too.

How exactly do you get sufficient protein, iron and calcium, Linda? What do you add daily to meet those nutritional needs? Are legumes the only substitute for animal protein?

[Lazarus]

Trust me...I find lots of good stuff to eat!

I use walnuts, almonds,
yogurt, eggs, beans, lentils...etc.

We have a small organic farm and eat lots of veggies too.

Huge parts of the world are vegetarian and get proteins/nutrients galore.
I love Indian food and in Italy most of the first course dishes are vegetarian.

Once again, I think it is easy to get what our bodies need and wonder where the idea came from that people would have trouble getting enough protein. Could it be the meat industry?

[agate]

I've been wondering about that protein idea too. I've been a (lacto-ovo) vegetarian for about 30 years though I do eat the occasional shrimp or sardine.

Years ago there was an idea circulating that you had to "complete the protein" if you ate a meal without animal protein because animal proteins were regarded as more "complete" than proteins from other sources. I believe it went like this: If you ate legumes or dairy instead of meat, you needed to "complete the protein" by adding something whole-grain. This idea seems to have gone out of fashion.

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[SuzE-Q]

Thanks, agate, that link was really helpful.

[Howie]

Did you ever watch Ren and Stimpy? They had a dude Kowalski, that only knew one word...MEAT!!! That's me, but in my defense, it's only fish and chicken. I'm getting hungry!

[Lazarus]

Being a vegetarian

I am glad for Howie's post. I have been a vegetarian for so many years now that I forget to mention...
My husband (47 years) is not a vegetarian.

We joke sometimes and say he only eats meat. I cook foods for him sometimes but never taste as I go. I have been told I am a good cook. I think it is the aroma that guides me.

Being a vegetarian is important to me but I never think everyone else should be like me. I Do not proselytize .

So, Jack Sprat who eats mostly beef and his wife Linda who eats no meat, are perfectly respectful of the choices each makes.

[SuzE-Q]

I don't eat beef, don't proselytize, but I also have never cooked it since I stopped eating it. I'd have a hard time handling it and preparing it, even for someone else, actually.

I imagine I would feel the same if I went completely vegetarian or vegan, I would feel very uncomfortable handling any animal products, although for some reason, I don't think I'd have any issue with continuing to handle eggs or dairy products even if I was no longer consuming it.

Such strange sensitivities, we humans have. I can handle fowl and fish now, but would have a very different emotional reaction to it if I changed my mind and decided to go vegetarian, it would make me very uncomfortable, just like handling beef would make me feel now...I think it would make me sick to my stomach. Even the mere thought of it is causing my stomach to do flip flops now. Not sure if I'd feel this strongly to other animal products too, I'll have to see what happens if I cut them out.

[SuzE-Q]

Linda,

You became a vegetarian. ..the same year you married your husband, the meat-eater??

[Lazarus]

Linda,

You became a vegetarian. ..the same year you married your husband, the meat-eater??

Yup!
On my honeymoon actually.

It got refined over the few years after that and as I learned more about healthy eating. For the first few years I was an unhealthy vegetarian. Health was not what motivated me.

[Howie]

Okay, let me show my ignorance. What is the difference between a Vegan, and a Vegetarian. I always thought, at my tender young age, that Vegan was just short for Vegetarian. Be kind.

[Lazarus]

The difference

A vegan eats nothing that comes from an animal. That would mean eggs, milk, cheese....yogurt...and so on.

I am a vegetarian who does not eat anything that it kills the animal to give me. So I will eat eggs and milk and soft cheese which has no rennet in it...nothing with gelatin (many chocolate puddings !) etc. I try not to use leather. I am sure there is more but I can not think now. I am lucky that I can get eggs and milk from animals that are not fed grains with antibiotics in their feed. Animals with lots of space to run around.

I do not eat soups made with bouillon such as beef or chicken.

Does that help?

[Frog42]

Copied from an article (for Howie):

Neither vegans nor vegetarians eat meat. However, while vegetarians tend to consume dairy products and eggs, a vegan avoids all animal products, including eggs and dairy, and often inedible animal-based products, such as leather, wool, and silk. Vegetarianism is usually a diet, while veganism is a lifestyle. Vegetarians often choose their diet based on its reported health benefits or for religious or political reasons. In general, vegans have much stronger political beliefs regarding their diet, with some believing animals should be protected under many of the same laws that humans are.