In your opinion, is a vegetarian diet the healthiest?

Question

Real food for real people. Good for every body. Incredible edible. The "basic four" food groups. And the question almost every vegetarian is most tired of answering: Where do you get your protein?
Let's face it folks, agribusiness is trying to brainwash us all. And they've succeeded! Most women I know are convinced that the best way to prevent osteoporosis is to consume dairy products, but the well-documented fact is quite the opposite. The excess protein contained in meat and dairy products actually prevents calcium absorption by the body and is a significant risk factor for osteoporosis.

That's right, I said excess protein. Most Americans eat too much protein. Most American vegetarians eat 50% more protein than they need. So protein really is not an issue at all. Even Frances Moore Lappe, who popularized the concept of protein complementarity in 1971, has long since admitted that "getting enough protein" is simply not an issue.

So what are the issues? How about heart disease

Answer 1

Alex you are correct vegan is the way to go. Avoid red meats, dairy, and carbs like bread. Humans are the only species of animal that drink another species milk. What do cow's drink - water. What do they eat - grass. Baby animals drink mothers milk until they are old enough to walk away. Human babies do likewise but the dairy board has us convinced that we should be drinking cow's and goat's milk and eating cheese. It's a marketing ploy. I used to consume large quantities until my chiropractor told me of a study done where they found that consuming milk and other dairy products actually reduce bone density. I had gotten up suddenly one day and heard a crack in my foot. I broke my 4th metatarcil. I later broke my 5th. This was so unusual for a young male that I went and had a bone density done. It came back that I had the bone density of a 60 year old. I was shocked. Then I remembered what the chiropractor said. So I went to talk to him and he told me about 2 nurses a 55 year old who ate veggies and consumed no dairy and a 25 year old that consumed dairy and meats. Well they both had bone density scans done. The 55 came back that she had the density of a 35 year old and the 25's came back that she had the density of a 65 year old. They had the tests done at different labs. I was stunned.

A friend of mine's wife went vegan and would drink protein shakes with water once per day for some protein. After not seeing her for 4 months when I say her she looked amazing. Fresh skin, lost 35 lbs and felt healthy and had more energy.

Answer 2

I do eat meat (mostly fish and chicken....very little red meat or pork) but you are right......people eat way too much meat. Actually, a very adequate amount of meat is a portion about the size of a deck of cards no more than three times a week. There are many other sources of protein; beans, peanut butter, many green leafy veggies have protien.
All I know is that Bob Barker is an avid vegetarian (has been for years) and he's what?,,,,,112 yrs. old? Not consuming meat is NOT unhealthy......I just happen to enjoy a bit of meat now and again......but I really am pretty much a fish eater more than anything. Actually, meat and pork started out more as "seasoning" rather than the main dish. That's why in southern cooking you will find that a lot of folks cook vegetables with bacon or salt pork or ham or a bit of beef. It's a carryover from those days....it does add a nice flavor and is really more than enough meat for a person to have in a meal.

Answer 3

A lot of people like to claim that dogs will not be healthy or will not thrive on a vegetarian diet. I am not one of those people. I have three small canine children (Chihuahua mix) and they have eaten homemade vegan food for about three years. We're not vegan, not even vegetarian, but we (my boyfriend and I) hardly eat any meat, dairy, or eggs. My oldest, a male, is just over six years old yet still runs around and jumps like a puppy, FULL of energy and in great health. The other two, females, are younger, and do extremely well, very playful like him. And yes, I did a lot of research about what was good for them and what to avoid before I started making their food. And to think, that (my researching this) all started because of the dog food recalls over concerns of contamination in the food imported from China! Originally, I put cooked chicken or some kind of lean meat in as a base, but I only did that for a few months. Now I cook some beans, add some brown rice, chopped vegetables (no onions), and rolled oats. I know, not raw, but that can give you an idea of the diet my babies eat.

Answer 4

Vegetarian diet is definitely healthy. Of course, anything that is too much is not good and the key here is to get a balanced diet and be knowledgeable about what is suppose to eat. If any vegetarian follows the food pyramid and knows the basics of the nutrients in each food group- protein consumption shouldn't be an issue.

It is good too to include protein in every meal but in moderation. That is why there is a focus on 5 a day- fruits and vegetables.... and only about 2-3 servings of protein.

Food combining too is important... any protein should include Vit. C in their diet for better absorption.

Most people think that vegetarian diet source of protein is only dairy products-however, there are other rich sources for that like soya beans, tofu, beans and legumes, etc. Also, certain amounts of veggies provide protein too like mushrooms.

Definitely it is true that too much calcium increases osteoporosis that's why each people should focus on consuming fruits and veggies.

To conclude, eating a balanced diet and a wide variety of foods- of different colours and in season products- is the key to address such problem.

I hope my answer helps.

Answer 5

Protein is also being linked to Dementia. The study in this area is relatively new but a scary thought.
Trouble is meat tastes so damn good! But it should be a suppliment to a meal and not the main part of a meal.
Im sorry to say but Americans eat way to much of everything, let alone protein. Hence it being the most obese country in the world.
Vegeterian diets may be healthy but Protein is (at the right RDA) is important. Take a suppliment if your not going to eat meat.

Answer 6

In my opinion a healthy diet is a well balanced one, neither too much or too little, but with plenty of variety to make sure you get all the nutrients you need.

As far as protein is concerned, where you get it from is, or should be, a matter of personal choice, as long as it's good quality.

I am inclined to agree that a lot of people eat far too much, especially of unhealthy foods , laden with fat, sugar and salt and all too often it's the same old thing day in day out. No variety and their bodies are crying out for the nutrients needed but instead of supplying those needs, they end up eating more of the same.

I believe the questions about vegetarian protein are more often than not, provocative, rather than interest and a desire for knowledge.

Answer 7

IN my opinion, we have a choice, and I would like to eat meat. I prefer it, find a vegetarian diet enjoyable, mostly. I don't like the fake meat products (what is up with eating fake meat?), or soya. However, I find that eating too many vegetables doesn't agree with my stomach.
Yes, I agree we eat too much protein. And certainly I could well afford to cut down.
I have every sympathy with vegetarians who refuse to eat meat because of their concerns for animals. I can respect their viewpoint. But I'm afraid I don't buy the "meat is bad for you" stance.

Answer 8

It really doesnt matter
Both Veg and Non-Veg is healthy
I myself am is Veg and have never eating meat/fish or eggs.
I do make sure that I have a balance diet.
So I say a balanced diet is the HEALTHIEST.

Answer 9

any diet is good as long as you do not make an abuse of certain things. for example, you can eat vegetables but if you cook them in over-flooding amount of oil, it's better to eat a poached lean chicken

Answer 10

I think a vegetarian diet is probably the healthiest, but the occasional introduction of meat is not a bad thing. I think the most important thing is moderation.