The following research shows that the rural Chinese diet is the healthiest. It also shows . . .?

Question

. . . the typical rural Chinese diet is flexitarian.

"Unlike the meat-heavy plates featured in many Chinese restaurants in the U.S., the traditional Chinese diet consists mainly of plant foods, small amounts of fish and poultry, and only occasionally red meat, says Campbell, the director of the Cornell-China-Oxford Project on Nutrition, Health, and Environment, a long-term study comparing the diets of rural China with average American ones. He has been tracking the eating habits of people living in 100 Chinese rural villages since the early 1980s.

According to Campbell's research, the traditional Chinese diet is comprised of only 20% animal foods -- far less than the amount in the typical American diet. As a result, the Chinese diet contains a formidable team of disease-fighting antioxidants and plant-based nutrients called phytochemicals -- all of which contribute to a healthier way of eating.
http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/10/1671_51429

What do flexitarians think?

Well my list of Blocked Inconsequentials does increase by 3 --- Maggie, Jenna and SST. Maggie my dear child, I notice your paltry list of "accomplishments" indicate nothing that would indicate you MIGHT possess any remote idea of how to assess research methodology or evaluate statistical data and arrive at a reasonably acceptable and balanced analysis. Go paint something green or something simple like that, child.

I do appreciate the thoughtfulness of the answers even from those who may be strict vegetarians.

Well, Melora ... looks like you are another brain trust full of accomplishmentss ... music and good food ... looks like you have an extremely full life. I'm surprised you have time to share such penetrating insights as you did. You and Maggie have so much in common . . . including making my blocked list as well as being inconsequential..

Yes, Matilda . . .you are right. The "China Report" is not all it's reported to be. But on the subject of "soy" it is in agreement with the latest research from a number of universities around the globe . . . "soy" has some nasty side effects.

The focus is on the diminished quantity of meat that is required for a balanced diet. This is one of the principles of flexitarian vegetarianism--that the full spectrum the food pyramid is employed but "meat" per se is a small part of the diet. Flexitarian vegetarianism is consistent with those ancient cultures that are considered "vegatarian" for whatever reason ... economic, religious, dispositiionally, etc. That includes the Japanese as well.

Yes "exsft" . . . there was a part that indicated that economic considerations prevented the rural Chinese from enjoying more meat. And you are right .. the book is not all it's cracked up to be at least among critical readers.

Answer 1

It just confirms our flexetarian diets are healthier than any conventional diet.


The usual ya V&V militant fanatics can't see this through the tears the peta propaganda has left in thier eyes.

Answer 2

IMO, the base line is that less meat and more vegetation in one's diet is healthier. It's what definies flexitarians and most of the world cultures.

I do agree with some of the others that the book has its methodological problems as a research instrument. But the underlying message is correct.

I do think that a study of the Japanese and their more "westernized" lifestyle would have proved a more apt study for us.

Answer 3

I think the obsession with food and creating weird and wonderful names for dietary preferences is so amusing!

My diet has been based on fruit, vegetables, seeds, grains, nuts and dairy, with only small amounts of white meat and fish, all my life. I enjoy vegetarian meals but also eat a little meat, I have always thought that means I am an omnivore, regardless of whether I eat an ounce of flesh or a pound, or should that be a gramme or a kilo.

Still, I suppose if such research encourages certain people cut down on the unnecessarily large amounts of meat they eat, perhaps it's not all bad, as long as the meat is not replaced by extra helpings of everything else.

Answer 4

They also eat a lot less sugar, trans fats, omega 6 oils, and dodgy food additives. Why is it the meat that you have to focus on? The eat animal products because protein is expensive and takes a lot of land to produce, and the Orientals aren't into dairy (lactose intolerance).

Funnily enough, these kinds of factoids never mention that soy protein is a known carcinogen, just look up a link to bladder cancer. 'The China Study' book doesn't even mention it, but it was one of the primary findings from the Chinese dietary study he was contorting.

http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/full/11/12/1674

The Japanese live longest.

Answer 5

Actually, the Japanese diet is the healthiest diet on the planet. They eat tons of fish, rice, vegetable, green tea (VERY good for you), and tofu. Chinese is good to, but people often get confused with the Asian/Chinese diet and the American Chinese diet. See, the thing is, neither of these diets contain milk or dairy, but, in America, they say that you should drink a lot of milk. Why? So you can suffer from osteoporosis while the milk and drug companies get rich.

Answer 6

hahaha..comparing diets of typical urbanized americans to rural chinese is foolproof? Did he ask one critical question: if given the choice and the resources, would those chinese eat more meat? one factor not considered (by yor quote anyway) is the economic standards that rural chinese live on comapred to americans. what was the average wage of those rural chinese? How did they compare to urban Chinese? Besides 20% meat consumption pretty much describes my diet. As I've said before, "meat eaters" does not mean exclusive meat diet. The science may be sound, the parameters correct. but the application and the argument falls short. Maybe that's why the book is not as popular and as well read as many vegetarians hope. Simply too insignificant to matter.

Answer 7

It is a movement in transition and the flexitarians are transforming the way people eat and think about vegetariainism. Eventually the only "strict" veg*ns will be in other cultures where there lifestyle is an integral part of a spiritual path. These folks on here, will wither away and be a smaller vocal minority than they already are.

Answer 8

If what you get from Dr. Campbell's research is the idea that animal products should be limited and fruits, vegetables, and grains should be the bulk of a healthy diet, then wonderful.

Do know, however, that over the past twenty years, as the Chinese start eating closer to the American way of eating, their rate of diseases such as cancer and heart disease are going up as well. Also, note that in the article you cite the animal protein referenced is small shavings of some meat for flavoring. It is not milk, it is not hunks of processed meat, and the less animal protein you eat while making the bulk of your diet plant-based foods the less likely you are to get western diseases. The research in China concludes this.
I'm glad you take such stock in Dr. Campbell's research. I hope all "flexitarians" look into more of his research. The book, The China Study, provides a good overview of his research and the research of others in his field that point to animal proteins and too few plant-based foods as one of the most significant factors in health.

Answer 9

for the sake of this question, I will say that a flexitarian exists. I'm a vegetarian but I think that there are many more things to consider outside diet here. When reading stats you have to think about the other factors that play into things. Wouldn't you say that a rural lifestyle applies less stress to a person? Sure it does. But is this considered in this article as a factor of disease? It should say if it doesn't that stress on a body affects the immune system and makes it more apt to cause health issues. Sorry, I don't really have time to read your article because you, in past, have had a trollie way about your aproach to things here.

Answer 10

Isn't there a flexitarian section? Why do you want to be considered a vegetarian when you eat meat? Why not just say you value vegetarians opinions but admit you aren't quite there yet yourself?

My sisters eat meat, but they enjoy vegetarian food often. They still wouldn't even consider to label themselves a partial vegetarian, even though they will eat vegetarian food, as they know they eat meat, so how can they be a vegetarian?

Answer 11

Nobody knows what flexitarians think because there's no such thing. The article says nothing about flexitarian. Please quote where it says "flexitarian" as I may have missed it.

I think it's great as an omnivore because it matches my diet choices. Of course, all research presented involving an industry that sells products to the public should be taken with a grain of salt.

BTW---way to give more ammo to the vegers ""The closer you get to a plant-based diet," says Campbell, "the better off you'll be."".