Vegan Campus » Diet

Don’t Be A Hungry Vegan

Andrea Phillips — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:48:03 +0000

Are you a vegan that suffers from hunger? You don’t have to. The vegan diet can be a rich and satisfying diet when you approach it wisely. The fact that the vegan diet is very nutrient rich can absolutely work in your favor. Also, the manner in which you eat has a large impact on your satiety as well.

One very effective way to curb your hunger is to eat several small meals during the day. This is fun because you get to do more of a favorite thing – eating! When your body gets the message that you are consistently feeding it energy, it will no longer store the calories as fat. Your blood sugar levels are also more stable, keeping insulin levels stable. When your blood sugar levels are rising and falling, the low levels cause hunger cravings.

In addition, frequent meals allow your body to absorb nutrients more easily than when you eat large meals. Your cholesterol levels are positively affected as well.

“Studies have shown that those who split their total calories into 6 small meals a day significantly reduced both their total and LDL cholesterol levels.”

Consuming a balance of important nutrients brings true satisfaction. You should aim for a balanced intake of proteins, complex (not simple) carbohydrates and healthy fats. A nice variety of foods that offer these nutrients will give you “nutrient fullness”. Along with fruits, eat all types of vegetables; leafy green, orange and yellow, cruciferous etc. Add to this, some protein packed legumes and beans, nutrient rich nuts and seeds and delicious whole grains.

Supplements with these nutrients are great to add as well. Micro algae such as spirulina and chlorella are great protein sources and full of vitamins and minerals. Flax seed oil is a source of essential fatty acids that harmonizes the body. Eating these on your food increase your chances for feeling full and satisfied.

One thing you don’t want to do is to gorge yourself on carbohydrates in order to feel full. Many vegans tend to fall prey to this habit and it has adverse effects. Eating extra portions of rice, potatoes and pasta is known to cause insulin resistance, because the excessive starches turn into excessive sugars in your blood. Insulin resistance actually causes more hunger.

“Of special concern is how insulin resistance disrupts fat metabolism. When the cells won’t absorb the extra glucose, the liver has to convert it into fat. Fat cells are loaded with glucose receptors, so this is a vicious cycle. Ironically, while the insulin-resistant (sufferer) is gaining weight, their cells are actually “starved” for glucose, so they feel exhausted and tend to eat carbohydrate-heavy foods in search of energy.”- A natural approach to insulin resistance

Eating processed and refined foods causes insulin resistance as well, including some processed health foods.

The vegan diet can provide more than ample energy for your life’s affairs. You don’t have to suffer hunger or any lack of energy. There are even vegan athletes that have enjoyed a vegan diet and continued to find success. They employed variety and taste enhancement to be successful.

Like baseball player Pat Neshek:

“ By substituting items such as brown rice and beans, tofu spiced to taste like different meat dishes, and flaxseed oil and various legumes, he found that his body held up even better than expected. Though Neshek admits he’s hardly a demon in the weight room, he has put on seven pounds of lean muscle since switching to his now-vegan diet and a refined workout program last off season. ”

And marathon runner, Scott Jurek:

“As a strict vegan, he goes through his grueling training regimen on a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts. This seems completely impossible when you consider Jurek’s typical calorie intake during peak training periods: 6,000 to 8,000 calories a day. Despite all that calorie loading, he packs just 165 pounds on his super lean, 6-foot-2 frame.

‘For breakfast it’s a dense, caloric smoothie,’ Jurek explained. ‘Then you’ve got lots of fruits and almonds. People assume it’s all carbs. But there’s also fat — avocados, rich monosaturated fats, almonds, olive oil.’

He’s just getting warmed up.

“For protein you’ve got beans, lentils, combining whole grains. Tofu and tempeh. Then for carbs: whole grains, breads, cereals, fruits and veggies, whole foods, unprocessed foods. There are three main meals, then lots of smaller snack foods and mini-meals throughout the day.”

So whether you are leading a normal active life or a more demanding active life, you can have success and fullness as a vegan.

Be sure to include plenty of tasty snacks so you don’t feel like you are missing out on anything. There are all kinds of treats vegans can enjoy; from dried fruit with nuts and seeds, to creamy smoothies and refreshing juices, to sweets made with healthy alternative sweets and oils.

Your own thoughts and perspective about your vegan diet are important too. If you view this lifestyle choice as restrictive, you will block the creative juices needed to make it a success. A certain level of faith and positivity is required to meet with success and satisfaction. Allow yourself time to develop healthy choices and habits. If you believe you can only be satisfied with the taste and bulk of meat, then you will be hard pressed to ever experience satiety with your vegan diet.

Believe in your decision and commitment to improve your health with a nutrient-rich vegan diet. Make the best effort to eat wisely, assuring nutrient fullness and balanced sugar levels, and you will enjoy and benefit immensely.

How to Enhance your Vegan Life

Andrea Phillips — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:12:04 +0000

Veganism allows us to experience improved health, void of the ill-effects of eating meat and meat by-products. Since we have made such an important commitment to improve our health and wellbeing, we must be vigilant to align ourselves with practices that will safeguard our health from serious illnesses that befall vegans and non vegans alike. One such practice is to eliminate refined foods from our diet; inclusive of refined sugars, grains and oils.

Refined Sugars are Dangerous

Because refined sugars have no nutrients, in the process of their digestion, they use up the minerals and vitamins in our bodies. One of the biggest problems this causes is calcium and magnesium deficiencies and their resultant bone problems. Also, the unnatural passage of refined sugars into our bloodstream is too quick, which throws off our insulin production and blood sugar levels. Hypoglycemia and or diabetics can be the result. Refined sugars also suppress our immune systems, increase our cholesterol, and upset our digestive systems due to the acidic environment they proliferate.

“Because refined sugar is devoid of minerals, vitamins, fiber and has such a deteriorating effect on the endocrine system, major researchers and major health organizations (American Dietetic Association and American Diabetic Association) agree that sugar consumption in America is one of the three major causes of degenerative diseases.”Healing Daily

The fact that we are vegans is not going to change this reality.

We can, however, enhance our veganism and better secure our health by addressing our sugar cravings and our consumption of sweets. The blood sugar imbalance caused by refined sugars, is part of what causes our sugar cravings. Consuming unrefined sugars and more healthy alternative sweeteners will help in this regard. Inadequate protein in our diet also causes a desire for more sugary foods, because protein metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism directly regulate one another. So, likewise, eating too much refined sugar will cause a desire for more concentrated protein; such as meat. It is a vicious cycle. Complex carbohydrates such as fresh vegetables, whole grains and legumes are foods that provide balanced amounts of carbohydrate and protein nutrients.
(- Healing With Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford)

So many convenience items we purchase, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, salad dressing, cereals, fruit drinks, soft drinks and more, can have added sugar in them. It is important to avoid these additions by purchasing items without the added sugar (or harmful artificial sweeteners) or even by producing our own fresh versions of them. Some less harmful sweeteners are barley malt, brown rice syrup and maple syrup. The most nutritious sweeteners are Stevia and Xylitol.

“Even though Xylitol is derived from fruits and vegetables, it is not the same as fructose. Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar, which means that it is anti-microbial (prevents the growth of bacteria), whereas all the other forms of sugar (sucrose and fructose) are six-carbon sugars, which cause bacterial and fungi overgrowth.” Natural News

Stevia is a plant; a whole food. “…stevia actually suppresses dental bacteria growth rather than feeding it as sugars do. Other studies have shown a beneficial relationship between stevia and the regulation of blood sugar levels…Japanese and Latin American scientists have discovered other attributes of stevia including tonic, diuretic properties; stevia also treats mental and physical fatigue, harmonizes digestion, regulates blood pressure, and assists weight loss.” (Healing With Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford)

Stevia powder can sometimes have an herbal after taste, which can be remedied by using it along with xylitol.

Dangers of Refined Grains

The ill-effects of consuming refined grains are closely related to those of refined sugars. Refined grains have been stripped of the parts that provide their nutrients; namely their germ and bran. What is left is pure starch, which converts to simple sugar and enters the bloodstream like refined sugar and causes the same ill effects. The nutrition-less starch does not move through the intestines very easily either. Whole grains are complex carbohydrates with natural sweetness and they provide great nutrition; protein, B vitamins, Vitamin C, bioflavanoids, essential minerals and fiber. It is the fiber of foods; the grain’s bran, the fruit’s peeling and the fruit juice’s pulp, that slow down the sugar release into the bloodstream.

Beware of Refined Oils

Refined oils, such as commercial soybean, safflower and corn oils are so devastating to our health. They are over processed with heat and chemicals that remove their natural nutrients and cause oxidation, which makes them become rancid and full of free radicals. By becoming vegans, we want to distance ourselves from cancer and other degenerative diseases caused by free radicals. The refining process of oils also uses cancer causing materials such as the metal nickel, and petroleum-based solvents. The result of continued refined oil consumption is rampant inflammations throughout the body, cancer and heart disease. Heat processes from 320 degrees Fahrenheit and above, transform beneficial fatty acids in oils, into synthetic trans-fats that raise cholesterol levels in the arteries.

Replacing these oils with cold-pressed unrefined oils adds years onto our lives. They are excellent sources of essential fatty acids. (Oils from Olive, Sesame, Sunflower, Safflower, Almond, Avocado, Flax, Chia seed, Pumpkin seed) Fatty acids, (Omega 3 and Omega 6) influence so many aspects of the body’s functions. We need them for healthy skin and hair, for a strong immune system; specifically the thyroid and adrenal functions, for healthy blood, nerves and arteries and to break down cholesterol in the body. Including high quality fatty acids into our diets is one of the best things we can do to boost our health. For those who are suffering from the ill effects of too much saturated fat in the diet, and the resultant high levels of cholesterol, Omega 3 fatty acids actually work to eliminate these fats and cholesterol from your body.

Replacing refined sugars, grains and oils with more nutritious, unrefined versions, truly enhances our vegan quest for improved health and longevity. They not only increase our nutrient intake, but they also help to correct the damage done during our meat-eating years. Let us be encouraged to begin now to implement these healthy practices into our happy, vegan existence.

Get your Vegan Education On!

Heather Moore — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:05:28 +0000

lovely vegan fridge packed with goodies!

More than 1,000 students at Cornell University have reportedly signed a petition asking for the return of Nutritional Sciences 200: Vegetarian Nutrition, a class once taught by vegan advocate Prof. T. Colin Campbell. Prof. Campbell claims that the class was “unjustly canceled” because the former Division of Nutritional Sciences Director was a consultant to the dairy industry and opposed Prof. Campbell’s vegan message. The current Division of Nutritional Sciences Director denies this allegation, of course, claiming that the course was canceled for “educational reasons.”

Whether the class will be re-instated or not remains to be seen, but here’s a crash course in vegan nutrition for anyone who wants information on vegan sources of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin B12, and other nutrients. Don’t worry; you won’t be tested on this information. There’s no homework either, but it can’t hurt to take notes anyway.

How Do Vegans get their Protein?

Every vegan has heard this question at least once. Some people still seem to think that meat is the only “food” that contains protein. Actually, almost every food contains protein, so it’s nearly impossible not to get enough if you’re consuming an adequate amount of calories. Soybeans are packed with protein and essential amino acids. Other beans as well as nuts, seeds, mushrooms, broccoli, walnuts, quinoa, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, and corn are also good protein sources.

Calcium Without Cruelty

Cows don’t have to suffer in order for people to get calcium. It’s abundant in collard greens, kale, broccoli, beans, sesame tahini, and almonds. It can also be found in calcium-fortified soy or rice milk, orange juice, and tofu.

Fish-Free Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for heart, brain, skin, and joint health. Fortunately, you can get them without all the cholesterol and toxins found in fish. Flaxseeds, walnuts, and canola oil are good vegan sources of omega-3s. Flaxseeds should be ground up since some of their nutritional value is lost if they’re eaten whole.

Iron for Vegans

Iron-rich foods include spinach, beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, chickpeas, oatmeal, dried fruits, nuts, sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast, molasses, quinoa, and millet. Vitamin C helps increase iron absorption, so for optimal health, consume foods that are rich in both nutrients, such as dark-green, leafy vegetables.

Vitamin B12 for Vegans

Leading health experts encourage everyone to take a multivitamin or supplement to get ample amounts of vitamin B12. It’s also found in fortified nutritional yeast, cereals, and soy milks as well as in some meat analogues. See PCRM.org for more information about vitamin B12.

Vegan Superfoods!

To get an array of nutrients, include vegan “super foods” like avocados, carrots, sweet potatoes, mangos, orange melons, berries, and tomatoes in your diet on a regular basis. They’re high in various vitamins and minerals and benefit our bodies in a multitude of ways.

Vegan Vitamins

Most health experts encourage people—vegans and meat-eaters alike—to take a multivitamin to ensure that they get all the nutrients they need. Some vitamins are made with gelatin—which is animal bones, skin, hooves, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, boiled together—but many health food stores and vegan companies like Pangea sell vegan supplements and multivitamins.

No one can live on potato chips, unfrosted pop tarts, Goldberg Peanut Chews, and ramen noodles alone. A healthy vegan diet should include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and other wholesome plant-based foods. Whenever I start to eat too many sugary snacks and processed foods, I remind myself that I’m a “representative” of a vegan diet and that I should set a healthy example for future vegans. A balanced vegan diet gives me all the energy I need to tackle meat-eaters who want to argue about vegan nutrition.

A Celebration of Soy: The Top Ten Best Soy-Based Foods

Heather Moore — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:12:49 +0000

Happy National Soy Foods Month everyone!! Have you begun celebrating yet? Okay, yeah, I’m not surprised. Few people even know that April is soy foods month, much less “celebrate” it, but since soy is such a big part of many vegans’ diets, I think it’s worth a shout out. Soy is cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat. Studies show that women who eat soy have a lower risk of breast cancer, and that soy may also help prevent prostate and colon cancers. Research also suggests that soy can help your heart, protect against osteoporosis, and even benefit asthma sufferers.

There are lots of other healthy reasons to eat soy, too. But I enjoy soy simply because it’s animal-friendly, super-delicious, and ultra-versatile. It can be used in everything from veggie burgers to soy milks to cheesecakes. A block of tofu may not be too appetizing on its own, but since it acts as a sponge and absorbs the flavors of anything it’s prepared with, you can use it to make Kung Pau tofu, chocolate pudding pie, eggless egg salad, and much more.

My Top Ten Fave Soy-Based Foods

While a healthy vegan diet should include a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, it’s good to squeeze in some soy products too—and there are plenty of products to choose from. Whole soy foods like tofu, edamame (soybeans), and tempeh are generally the healthiest, but other soy foods are good options too. Here are ten of my (current) favorite soy foods:

Tofurky Sweet Italian Sausages: With baseball season approaching, I’m eager to eat these spicy vegan sausages while watching the Orioles play. They’re the perfect warm-weather food. They’re great grilled or fried and tucked in a bun with ketchup. The manufacturer, Turtle Island Foods, also makes tasty vegan beer brats and kielbasa, but the sweet Italian sausages are the best if you ask me.
Sheese Soy Cheese: I like other soy cheeses okay enough (Tofutti makes a decent vegan cream cheese and passable American soy cheese singles) but this Swedish brand is my favorite, hands down. I especially recommend the smoked cheddar style. Sheesh is a little pricey though, and not too many stores carry it yet. But thanks to Pangea, the vegan superstore, everyone can enjoy it.
Westsoy Chocolate Soy Shake: Mmmm. Thick and creamy. It’s like melted chocolate ice cream in a glass.
Morningstar Farms Grillers Recipe Crumbles: A great alternative to ground beef, with only 80 calories and 2.5 grams of fat per serving. It can be used in everything from tacos to chili to spaghetti sauce to shepherd’s pie. Carnivores can’t even tell the difference!
Silk Vanilla Soy Yogurt: It may not sound all that exciting, but if you throw in some defrosted frozen berries or other fruit, it makes a nutritious and delicious breakfast. The family-size container is more economical than single-serving soy yogurts too (less packaging too).
White Wave Sesame Peanut Thai-Style Baked Tofu: Toss it with some linguini, peanut butter satay, broccoli, carrots, onions, and you’ve got a simple Thai-style meal without going to a Thai restaurant.
Purely Decadent Turtle Trails Ice Cream: Just about every flavor of Purely Decadent or So Delicious dairy-free ice cream is, well, delicious, but I’m partial to anything with chocolate, pralines, and caramel!
Boca Burgers: Need I say more? Just about everybody loves these vegan veggie burgers—even meat-eaters. The chik’n patties are tasty too.
Gardenburger Meatless Breakfast Sausage: Another food for both vegans and meat-eaters to enjoy together. These savory soy-based sausages have only 60 calories per patty too.
Worthington Chic-ketts: Tastes just like chicken! You can pull apart the “log” of mock chicken and eat it straight, or use it in chicken-free salads, sandwiches, soups, and casseroles.

Hmmm, I guess I should have made it a top 100 list since I can still think of many more great soy-based foods.

Which ones are your favorites?

Why I’d rather eat a rib-eye than drink a glass of milk

Ashley Hopkins — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:13:43 +0000

May sound counter intuitive coming from a strict, “no, not even honey” vegan but I’m completely serious. Granted, I’d rather lick the soles of Britney Spear’s feet after she’s come traipsing out of a gas station bathroom than gnosh a slab of steak but if I had the choice between meat and dairy, I’d take the meat, all the way. And here’s why.

Male cattle raised for their flesh live a horrific existence, no doubt. Ripped from their mothers at birth with no chance to bond and know love, having their testicles and horns cut off with no pain killers (a method approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association yet, if you did the same thing to a dog, you’d be arrested on animal cruelty charges); living in feces filled feed lots, often times being denied veterinary care for fatal infections that the massive amounts of hormones they are fed can’t ward off. There’s no denying, cattle raised for their flesh live a life I would describe as hell on earth. Think it can’t get worse?

In order for cow mothers to make milk for their babies, they are repeatedly raped again and again by farm hands with a shoulder high latex glove and a vile of bull cum. A little after 9 months of gestation (hmmm, just like humans… but no! We have nothing in common!) and feeling their sweet little babies kick in their bellies, cow mothers push through the natural pains of child birth only to have their babies ripped from them the second they hit the ground. Cow mothers cry and bleat and beg and kick at their confine bars – they love their calves and like any mother, it kills them to have their precious little one stolen away.

How Dare We consume DAIRY

Then cow mothers, whilst recovering from the physical and emotional trauma of having their babies stolen, don’t even get to feel the lips of their little babe suckle their udder. Nope. Shortly after giving birth, there are hooked up to a steal machine that rips and tears their teat – and they get this fabulous little spa treatment six times a day, every day, after they have their first baby. A mama cow’s milk that her body has made for her baby is sucked out of her breast by the same people who raped her, who kidnapped her freshly newborn baby before she even had a chance to turn around to smell them, all so they can sell it for profit.

What does mama cow get as compensation? While we humans are paid for the time we spend making money for the man and we get to go home at the end of each work day, cow mothers are forced to devote their whole lives, their whole existence, to making profit for their rapists, without a day, an hour, a moments rest. They don’t even receive a soft bed of hay, a nice pet behind the ears, a healthy meal free of by-products and hormones. No. These mothers are treated like trash, production units, baby-making machines.

They are forced to live in mud and shit filled lots, sometimes sheds void of any natural lighting. They suffer case after case of mastitis, a breast infection (which results in puss in your milk) – coming from a mother whose has mastitis, it’s like someone punched you square in the tit. It hurts to high hell and along with the breast pain, you’re whole body aches like you have the flu. I only had it one day – dairy cows live with it every day of their lives. And when their tits don’t make enough milk, they don’t even get the luxury of retirement to a happy little field with rolling green hills. When Farmer John is all done raping her, stealing her babies, stealing her milk, he shows his gratitude by shipping her off in a feces encrusted, over-packed trailer to be chopped up into ground chuck.

The life of a dairy cow sounds like a hell on earth that no sick mind could even make up. As a mother, the thought of living a life like that physically makes me ill. But it doesn’t stop there. Next post, let’s take a peak as to where that stolen baby ends up.

The Queen of Protein, Quinoa!

Ashley Hopkins — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:23:33 +0000

The mere utterance of the p-word sends many a vegan into abyssal annoyance. The fascination non-vegans seem to have with protein and “getting enough” is a curious phenomenon with roots buried deep in pure ignorance about where one can acquire this dietary darling. Gather around, huddled and curious masses and allow me to introduce you to my dear friend, quinoa.

Beautiful quinoa in a bowl

This teeny li’l grain packs a ridiculously mighty protein punch. A cup of quinoa has 24 grams of complete protein, 48% of the daily recommended value (for adults and children 4 and older). That’s more than a Junior Whopper with cheese and mayo (16 grams), a 10 piece chicken McNugget (23.8 grams), three large hard-boiled eggs (18.9 g), or a slice and a half of Dominos pepperoni pizza (20.9 g). With these few facts under my vegan defense intellectual tool belt, I can’t help but stifle my chuckles when a vaguely aspiring cud gnosher tells me the only hurdle in their cruelty-free dietary journey is that they need their protein and “the only source of that is meat”. It’s sad that most people don’t know that you can even get protein from non-animal sources and I having thought that way for 20 years.

And this ain’t just any old run of the mill protein. Quinoa is teeming with complete proteins, proteins that contain all the essential amino acids. This means no need for combing proteins (i.e. one bean dish plus one rice dish equals one combined protein feast). It’s a common misconception that to get in their complete proteins, vegans have to sit down at every meal and tally up this amino acid here, another amino acid there until all AA’s are accounted for. I’ve heard many an aspiring vegan/vegetarian explain they just don’t have the patience for such a (superfluous) task. Pish, posh, Vegan Would-Be! The vegan banquet table is teeming with complete protein fare (beans, soy, almonds, whole wheat bagels, oatmeal, etc.), and quinoa’s no exception.

Many of the things that give quinoa the right to sit at the cool kid’s table in Healthy High cafeteria revolves around what it doesn’t have. It doesn’t have loads of saturated or trans fats. It doesn’t have sugar. It is easy to find organic so isn’t swimming with hormones or pesticides. It won’t give you cancer if you eat too much of it. It won’t give you E. coli or salmonella if you don’t cook it long enough. It won’t give you heart disease. It can be stored for eons without spoiling.

What is one to do with this curious little crunchy grain? I’m a fan of mixing it in with salad dressings to boost my favorite leafy greens and mixing some in with the morning oatmeal is an easy way to start off right in the a.m. Another fave recipe of mine is Indian-spiced quinoa with sweet peas and pine nuts. When topped with some curried lentils and sweet potatoes, it’s like indulging in a delight fit for the gods and goddesses.

So stock up, my “protein deficient” comrades – quinoa is here to quell your woes and fend of those inquiries into the source of all that needed protein! Not only is it good for your bod, it’s great at putting those skeptics in their place while at the same time giving you the chance to drop some basic nutritional knowledge.

Eat Fruit and Stay Alive, Eat Death and Die

Ashley Hopkins — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:14:38 +0000

Eat Fruit and Stay Alive

Futurama knows funny but they sure as hell don’t know vegans. In an episode geared at making fun of conscious herbivores, some whacked out hipsters on the show used a lion forced to eat a diet of tofu as an example of a vegan diet’s “numerous benefits.” Said lion was puny, impish and sickly looking, aka: vegan stereotype. When people hear I and my whole family – 14 month-old toddler included – eat an exclusive animal-free diet, it appears they’re surprised we don’t look like strung out lions forced to eat a diet completely contradictory to our bodies’ natural physiology. “But… but… how?!”

Fact is, eating a vegan diet – not the lazy man’s Coke and Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Doritoes diet but a real, ground grown vegan diet (with maybe the occasional guilty hydrolyzed chips pleasure) – can make you stronger and healthier than those sustaining off of flesh foods, specifically in regards to the plague of modern day man. Cancer. Some carcinogenic factors are totally out of our control – genes, environment in some cases – but all’s not lost. There’s something we can all do every day to significantly reduce our risk. Like they say, mama knows best – eat your fruits and veggies!

Loaded with a plethora of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, these plant-produced power foods can literally save your life. I’ve heard many an omni nil-for-brains argue that our bodies need meat and dairy to live and be healthy. Oh, is that so Mr. Omniscient God of the Omnivorous Masses? More meat, more dairy = more likely to get cancer*. More fruits, more veggies = less likely to get cancer.

For bodies apparently so hell-bent on leeching every needed nutrient from rotting flesh and putrid bodily fluids, this all seems a li’l backwards. After millions of years of evolution, you’d think our bodies would evolve to thrive off of what we need. Oh wait. THEY DO. Which is precisely why that T-bone can end with a guy sticking probes up your rear in search of cancer causing polyp nastiness. There is no amount of blueberries you can eat that will cause any type of cancer whereas daily doses of filet can result in frequent does of chemo.

It doesn’t even stop there. The list of preventable chronic diseases that can be curbed with a vegan diet is ridiculously ginormous. Oh, fruits and veggies, how I love thee.

If you’re not already at the fridge groping around for that maybe-still-good celery stalk, here’s some advice from a former junk food vegan on downing your 5-a-day. Eat organic produce ranging in a variety of colors – different colors usually is generally a good sign of different concentrations of nutrients. A half-cup of blueberries, a half-cup of strawberries, a cup of 100% fruit juice each equal one serving. Not so daunting, huh? Toss the lot in a blender with a whole banana and some vanilla soy yogurt and now you’ve got a smoothie packed with your entire recommended daily intake.

Be sure you buy produce you like otherwise you’re just going to end up with some of the best compost on the block right next to your carton of Almond Breeze. Try new things but if it’s a no-go for the taste buds, steer clear. If you tend to be out and about, stock the pantry with portable grub. While I’m a sucker for a perfectly ripe mango, dried slices are a close second – they’re a great go-anywhere nutrient packed power snack… that fights freaking cancer! Try finding a bag of pork rids with that kind of resume.

So next time a skeptic squeezes in their two cents about proper nutrition in between bites of their mega bacon triple patty burger barf fest, take a second before your next green leaf garnished falafel wrap mouthful to appreciate the palpable irony.

Adding Asparagus to Your Vegan Diet

Dr. Rajesh Vishwanathan — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:01:49 +0000

It is a very surprising observation that the French have among the least number of heart attacks when compared to their western counterparts.

One study felt that this was because of their high consumption of red wine. Researchers were not sure, if this was the main reason and were cautious in their conclusions, although tipplers all over the world were very pleased with these research results.

Others speculated that compared to Europeans and Americans, the French set apart time for a luxurious and elaborately time consuming lunch and their relaxed lifestyle could be contributory to the lesser rates of coronary artery disease. One other overlooked fact is that the French cuisine is rich with generous amounts of asparagus in their dishes. It makes me wonder if asparagus was also contributing to the good health of the French?

What is Asparagus?

Asparagus is a perennial garden plant belonging to the Lily family (Liliaceae). Of the 300 varieties of asparagus, only 20 are edible. Asparagus has been prized as an epicurean delight and prized for its medicinal properties for over 2000 years

Today, asparagus is cultivated in most subtropical and temperate parts of the world with the majority of commercially available asparagus grown in United States, Mexico, Peru, France, Spain and other Mediterranean countries.

The nutritional value of Asparagus:

Asparagus is an excellent source of vitamin K, the B vitamin folate, vitamin C, vitamin A. Asparagus is a very good source of numerous B vitamins — including vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B6 – as well as dietary fiber, manganese, copper, phosphorous, potassium and protein. (source)

Some health benefits of Asparagus:

It is rich in vitamin K and Folic acid. This is said to prevent birth defects in the fetus, such as neural tube defects and spina bifida.
It is great for the heart because it has anti-oxidant properties; it lowers cholesterol levels and wards off high blood pressure. It also reduces the homocysteine levels and thus prevents heart attacks.
It is useful in women with menstrual cramps and infertility.
It is considered to be a diuretic and removes the water retention in PMS.
It is said to detoxify the body and improve digestion.
It eliminates warts.
It has anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
Prevents recurrent bladder infections.
It has aphrodisiac properties (Is that why the French are into it?).
It has anti-cancer properties.
It has been used in chronic fatigue syndrome.
It is said to prevent multiple sclerosis.
It is said to limit hair loss and even fight toothaches.

Asparagus Drawbacks:

It contains purine and people who suffer from gout and kidney stones are advised not to consume it.
It can make urine smell and that disturbs certain individuals.

This yummy little vegetable is one of our healthiest foods. Not only does it have a small amount of calories per serving but it also provides many protective nutrients. Many doctors have cited that the carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, and selenium protect our bodies against cancer and heart disease. And yes, asparagus has all of these and more.

References

The Ayurvedic View on Energy Foods: Grains, Vegetables, and Fruits

Dr. Rajesh Vishwanathan — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:58:29 +0000

Do you suffer from an energy crisis and feel that you need a high-energy fix from time to time? Do you then resort to drinking coffee, eating a bar of chocolate, or go on an eating binge of junk foods and high sugared snack. If you do I suggest that you should read on…

You are not going to believe this:

You are going to be very surprised to hear that ayurveda, the most ancient Indian medical system, has an answer and has golden tips for solving your energy crisis. Ayurveda advocates a diet that is generous in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The ancient ayurvedic texts tell us that these foods are rich in life giving energy, healing powers, fighting body fatigue and have the power of detoxifying the body.

Grains have power:

Long distance runners from Africa have always relied on carbohydrates in grains for long-term endurance and energy. All carbohydrates are not the same. For instance the croissant is high in fat and low in nutrition. Whole grains have lower cholesterol; they also have anti-bacterial properties and actually lower elevated blood sugar levels.

Ayurveda considers rye, millet and amaranth as highly nutritious, as they have high protein and mineral content. In fact, these grains are considered so auspicious that they are used during Vedic ceremonies as items for worship.

Rye for instance, contains high proteins, and one cup yields about 15 grams of protein, 9 grams of iron and adequate quantities of B-complex vitamins, iron, zinc and copper which is an important trace element for boosting energy levels and raising the body’s immunity. The ancient seers used a term called as ‘Ojas’, an energy, which is the result of good digestion and creates a sense of lightness in the body, gives a person the inner energy or glow, confers immunity against infections and bestows the individual with bliss.

Energizing Vegetables and Fruits:

Ayruveda advocates that fresh vegetables and fruits should constitute forty percent of every meal. Green, leafy vegetables are rich in mineral and fiber, and they should be eaten often.

Ayurveda considers fruits as a rich source of energy. Ayurvedic physicians recommend pears and apples, if you are hungry between meals. They recommend papaya, if you feel bloated after lunch.

Ayurveda strongly recommends the generous use of dry fruits, especially raisins. The ayurvedic texts extol the virtue of raisins calling them the best among dry fruits because it has the quality to enhance purity of the mind and pacify the mind and heart. Dry fruits are a rich source of iron and Vitamin B6, and provide magnesium, calcium, zinc and potassium. Raisins aid digestion and elimination when they are soaked in water overnight. One handful per person is a good amount everyday.

Ayurveda also cautions against energy draining foods:

The ayurvedic texts warn us not to eat left over foods or highly seasoned foods and foods that make us sluggish. Ayurvedic physicians were extremely conscious of energy draining foods, which clogged the micro-channels called as Nadis and created an accumulation of toxins.

We have advanced a lot in this millennium

But our diet practices are abysmal. We eat foods bereft of energy, we consume milk, which is a poison, we eat meat, and we eat tinned, canned and processed foods and do not realize how much harm we cause to ourselves. It is fascinating how Ayurveda, a science that dates back thousands of years warns us of these dangers. It was almost as if our ancient seers who wrote these treatises were aware, what humanity was going to come to in this millennium.

Sources:

If You Eat Meat You’re Eating Feces!

David Askaripour — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:19:54 +0000

I don’t know about the rest of you out there, but I don’t like to eat fecal matter. If you’re eating meat, you are undoubtedly eating feces. Feces belongs in the toilet or used for fertilizer, not human consumption.

Wondering why you get sick so often? Why you have about 20 nasty colds per year? Why get get those stomach viruses? Why you get sore / strep throat? Why you have no energy? Why you are tired all day long after 8 hours of sleep?

Well, I’m sure it has a lot to do with meat consumption. It’s bad enough that you cells are being invaded with toxin-riddled flesh, now your body has to deal with animal waste on top of that! Phew….

Would you sprinkle dried pellets of human feces on your salad? No, I don’t think you would. But you may as well, since you’re already enjoying plenty of feces every time you bite into a juicy hamburger or rip a part some “mouth watering” steak. Think about that the next time you consume some animal flesh.

Washington, D.C.-A new study shows that 84 percent of adults have no idea that the primary source of salmonella, campylobacter, E. coli, and other foodborne pathogens on poultry and meat is animal feces.

The survey of 1,000 men and women was completed during the period of July 26-29, 2001, by Opinion Research Corporation International on behalf of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). Foodborne illnesses are at epidemic levels in the United States; the Centers for Disease Control estimate there are at least 76 million cases each year, usually from consumption of animal products.

“Our findings show the vast majority of Americans do not understand there are feces on meat and poultry,” says PCRM staff attorney Mindy Kursban. “In fact, there’s a major disconnect in the public consciousness between the foodborne illnesses that sicken so many of us and their originating cause: animal excrement.”

Survey respondents answered the following question: “When salmonella and other disease-causing bacteria are found on meat and poultry, which of the following do you think BEST describes where these bacteria originally came from?”

The answers were as follows:

“They [foodborne pathogens] came from animal blood.” [10 percent]

“They came from dirty hands.” [19 percent]

“They are naturally present in the meat.” [17 percent]

“They are naturally present in the animal’s skin.” [9 percent]

“They came from animal feces.” [16 percent]

“They came from dirty air in a slaughter house.” [15 percent]

Didn’t think any of these were the right answer or didn’t know. [13 percent]

Doctors Petition USDA to Ensure “Feces-Free” Meat or Issue Biohazard Labels