Which food lifestyles make sense for you? What do you think of the previous articles in this series of going Mediterranean, Keto or Paleo?
This is all about exploration of what makes the most sense for your own lifestyle and what may be a huge player in optimizing your health and ridding yourself of some nagging symptoms.
Food is the foundation as it truly is what “fuels” our bodies. If we put fuel in our bodies that makes or bodies weaker, it makes it that much more difficult to bring it back to balance and may make it much worse.
Today we will explore veganism which many swear was the key to their recovery of many autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Origins
Veganism is a more extreme form of vegetarianism that excludes all flesh foods and their byproducts such as dairy (milk and cheese), eggs, or honey. The term was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson, a British woodworker. He popularized veganism claiming it protected people from tainted food, citing the outbreak of Tuberculosis in 40% of cows in Britain the year before.
However, the roots of veganism can be traced back to biblical times as mentioned by Greek philosophers along with ancient Indian and eastern Mediterranean societies.
There are differing motivations to this lifestyle. While some completely abstain from eating animals or animal byproducts for ethical reasons to protect animal welfare, others feel it is the healthiest form of plan-based diet.
Foods to Emphasize
All vegetables and fruits
All beans
Soy/tofu
Nuts and seeds
Nut and seed mils such as almond milk, coconut milk, hemp milk
All grains
Foods to Avoid Entirely
Beef, chicken, fish
Dairy such as milk and cheese
Honey
Food like bread and wine that may contain animal ingredients
Gelatin, whey, shellac
Foods to Eat in Moderation
Processed foods
Ease to follow
This can be somewhat difficult to follow as eggs and dairy are restricted. However, the permissibility of grains leaves it much more flexible.
Benefits
There are different types of benefits to eating vegan. Meats and animal products tend to be acidic while plants are alkaline. Disease and inflammation thrive in acidic environments. Therefore, many vegans experience lower disease states, general weight and symptoms. There is also the ethical benefit of not eating animals as most are raised in unhealthy and inhumane conditions.
My Opinion
Being vegan can be a great alternative for those who do follow it properly with loads of veggies and fruit but with a small amount of processed food and moderate amounts of grains. It can also be incredibly healing to those who are experiencing health crises-again- if followed properly.
However, I often see that many people (especially girls) who label themselves as vegan that are actually “pastatarians” and eat too many grains. Some also don’t eat enough veggies or fruit or beans for nourishment. I have also seen many vegans suffer from deficiencies such as iron, vitamin D, vitamin B-12 and calcium and zinc from not eating any type of animal protein.
There are also people with certain blood types such as Type A Type B and Type O that may not respond as well to a Vegan lifestyle.
Sample Menu
Day 1
Breakfast Oats with cashew milk and almonds
Lunch Mashed chic pea sandwich
Snack fruit and nut bar
Dinner Vegan lasagna made with strips of zucchini and tomato sauce and nutritional yeast (tastes similar to parmesan cheese)
Day 2
Breakfast Smoothie with spinach, blueberry and banana
Lunch Vegan burger (made of beans and soy) with salad
Snack Chia pudding
Dinner Stir fried veggies with tempeh
Day 3
Breakfast Toast with nut butter
Lunch Rice and beans
Snack Carrots and celery with hummus
Dinner Vegan chili with beans and veggies
Check out our next trending diet when we discuss Lectins.
If you want to do a combination of these healthy food plans so you can have more energy and get to the weight you want without any working out, check out my free shopping list to help get you on your way.
All material in this newsletter is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication;instead readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information provided has not been approved the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.
“It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities.”
Live well and love more,
Jill Gordon
CHHC, MHt, MNLP, MTT, MSC, CLC
Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Master Certified Clinical Hypnotist*, Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming*, Master Certified Life and Success Coach
