why is a no meat diet better for your health?
its kind of hard giving up meat after eating it for my 16 years on earth, i stopped eating meat but i continue to eat fish.
how is it better for your diet if you eliminate meat and how does it help you lose weight if you are dont replace the meat with junk foood. im talking about plant based diets –and fruit!
For the past three years, I’ve been eating a whole plant based diet as recommended by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr. along with many other nutrition and health researchers. I’ve sought the healthiest diet without any concern for environmental or animal cruelty issues. I lost 90 pounds and never felt better or more alert and alive. My improved health is universal among those who choose to focus on eating a plant based diet. Sadly, Americans eat way too much animal protein and suffer from cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases at increasing rates. If you eat a balanced vegetarian diet, there is absolutely no reason to eat animal based products.
For specific reasons to avoid meat, I’d refer you to a gentleman who owned a 7,000 head cattle ranch. His name is Howard Lyman and he wrote a book called “The Mad Cowboy.” Here are a few of the reasons to avoid meat, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy and any other form of animal protein:
+ There is excess cholesterol in the walls the cells of meat (all animal flesh).
+ Contaminants such as DDT or heavy metals are concentrated in meat.
+ There is no fiber in meat.
+ Antibiotics and hormones absorbed by the animal are concentrated in humans.
Beware of fish because of excess heavy metals such as lead. This can lead to neurological problems that are sometimes difficult to trace back to the fish. You should eat fish no more than once per week, and it’s usually better not to eat it at all. Instead, eat leafy greens (kale, collards) for iron, calcium, and protein. Consume a legume (peas, beans, lentils) and whole grain (brown rice, quinoa) for protein. Take B12 and D vitamins as necessary. A common reason people eat fish is for the healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Unfortunately, all fish also contain a good proportion of saturated fats. It’s healthier to eat ground flax seed for Omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, you need to make sure to eat colorful vegetables and whole fruits.
Of course you should avoid excess refined carbohydrates (some breads, cereals, sugars), excess oils (lard, fat, and even vegetable oils), and excess salt. Buying “vegan” processed foods can be unhealthy because of additives such as MSG or aspartame (diet drinks).
Plants have plenty of protein in the right combinations if you eat a varied diet from the categories I listed. For details, buy a good vegan cook book such as Rip Esselstyn’s “The Engine 2 Diet” or the book “Forks Over Knives.”