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Why Go Vegetarian? - Article from our Life Coaching Programs
Why Go Vegetarian?
![[Image]](/images/content/vegatarian.jpg)
So you’ve decided to take a stand on your health. Maybe you were motivated by your expanding waistline. Perhaps you’re not able to keep up with your kids, grandkids, or nieces and nephews like you’re used to. Or maybe it was a gentle nudge from your lover, who’d like to see a little more excitement in your relationship again. Whatever your motivation, the most crucial place to start is with your diet; and I can’t think of a better approach than going partially, or totally, vegetarian.
First, let’s define vegetarianism. This popular food movement has roots dating back hundreds, even thousands of years. It involves the exclusion of all animal-based food products, with the exception of dairy products and eggs. These latter two groups are called lacto vegetarians, and lacto-ovo vegetarians, respectively, while a purely plant-based diet is referred to as vegan.
Many religious traditions center on vegetarianism as a means to achieve a deeper connection with spirituality. In such circles, the body is considered the temple of the soul. When not burdened by illness, the spiritual energy flows freely, allowing a greater link to source to be realized.
Many of us in modern day culture, however, are just looking to catch up – to regain some sense of physical health that we lost due to a variety of crisis-filled situations: no time, not enough money, too difficult. I’ve heard them all, believe me. But a plant-based diet offers a variety of health benefits, many of which include:
1. Less weight, lower body fat
2. Reduced risk and even correction of Type II Diabetes and Heart Disease
3. Improved joint and muscle function, and reduced pain overall
4. Better, healthier skin
5. Improved energy
6. Better sleep
7. Greater memory, focus, and concentration
8. Reduced anxiety and depression
9. Better digestion and elimination
10. Reduced risk of most all types of cancers
11. Lighter on the wallet. Fruits and vegetables cost pennies per pound, while meat, fish, and chicken are measured in dollars per pound
12. Better for the environment: it takes many times more fuel to produce a pound of meat than a pound of vegetables, grains, or fruit
Yes, all of these benefits and more have been reported by people who have moved away from an animal-based diet. But what of those who haven’t been successful? Have some actually gotten worse from the changeover? The answer is yes, and next week we will look at the challenges that cause many people to revert back to their meat-based habits. Until then, just keep an open mind, and stock up on the fresh produce!
Healthiest regards,
Dr. Carlos
Hi Dr. Carlos,
How do I make sure I'm still giving my body everything it needs? I've been leaning more and more vegetarian lately (my wife is more so than I am), but I want to stay healthy and fit. Are there guidelines to help?
Stephen Ashbrook
I recently went to a vegetarian cooking class. The foods were very salt laden. Almond meat loaf and such. I need a progarm without the salt.
Does anyone have some entree recipes without meat, low salt and no cheese either?
I've been a vegan for 10 years & it was quite a task considering that I wasn't big on veggies but know it's just like 2nd nature to bring my own food wherever I go!
Tonnes of receipies online & great soya & tofu products out there as well!
Thanks I just started on a more vegetarian diet
PLEASE READ! Before anyone considers becoming a vegegarian!! or if you already are! visit this website http://www.westonaprice.org/tour/vegtourindex.html
Dr. Carlos is very kind to expose us to lots of good information. Although, there are multiple sides to everything and if you want to learn about the DANGERS involved with vegetarianism including nutrient deficiency, and countless degenerative diseases, please take the "veg tour." Also search the site for the potential dangers in soy. You won't regret researching the other sides of this controversy. Our ancestors ate a HIGH FAT HIGH CHO diet with superb health and there's no reason why we shouldn't. Better safe than sorry. Pease
I may not go meatless everyday, but maybe three time a week would be good. iI will try it and let you know
Our ancestors were in completely different life circumstances. Even 100 years ago. And most people, for centuries, could not access meat except on rare occasions. They had to work very hard to get it themselves; or pay land owners for the right to some tidbits. That is why so many soups are loaded with veggies and broth with no or little meat. It was always hard to get.
Today meat is not what it was. If you eat for instance wild salmon (at $17.00 a lb) you notice it's a completely different experience than eating farm-raised. If you eat buffalo, or venison, it's completely different than beef or chicken. Our "meat" is pretty scary, and full of chemicals, and fed all kinds of cheap junk for food, and never exercises.
I was saying in the more recent inspiration that when I was vegetarian in my teens, everyone in the world had something to say about it. "Warnings." As if eating vegetarian upsets and bothers people. I don't get that.
If I say I don't eat say, breads, I don't get articles, lectures, dire warnings, worried faces and jokes. It's interesting how vegetarianism seems to be a core societal issue.
For low salt recipes I know there are lots of cookbooks out, intended at first for people with high blood pressure I think.
I too have noticed that "healthy" foods are often full of sugar or coated with sugar or heavily seasoned, even in the cafes and restaurants that promote healthy eating. Whole Foods used to sell wholesome pastries and snacks in their deli, for instance, and now it's all sweetened or seasoned. Must be most of us say we want healthy foods (so they create a healthy counter or deli), but then we don't actually buy them. We're pretty hooked on fats, sugars and salt.
A lot of people I know have learned to cook all their own food and then redesigned the recipes to suit themselves.