We undoubtedly are sicker than any previous generation. Yet, our medical technology continues to become more advanced. How can this possibly be? I blame lifestyle: poor diet and lack of exercise. More than ever, people should be focusing on diets because of the health benefits rather than just the aspiration to be thin. So I ask myself constantly, what should I be eating? There are so many unique (and often extreme) lifestyle diets that catch my attention because of their health benefit claims. Two of the most interesting ones are definitely the Vegan & Paleo Diets.
The Vegan Diet
I recently watched a documentary called Forks over Knives, and I have never been more convinced that people should eat less meat & animal products. The reason? The documentary showcases many studies proving that a whole-food, plant-based diet can prevent and even reverse many degenerative diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even several forms of cancer. Let me first start by saying that Trader Joe’s is my go to place for dairy- free & meat-free alternatives! You can’t go wrong! I would definitely suggest Soy Yogurt, Coconut Milk, Egg Substitute, Dairy-Free Mozzarella, Soy Chorizo, Veggie Burgers as a great way to eat more vegan-isque. Of course you would also want to eat lots of fruits, vegetables & whole grains.
Additional Benefits to eating like a Vegan:
- To be more environmentally friendly: a significant amount of pollution comes from animal waste, factory farms, and to transport the meat and animal- products to consumers.
- To object inhumane treatment of animals: Often times animals are squished together in disgusting living environments and are killed in even more obscene ways. Just watch the documentary called Food Inc.
Famous Vegans include Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Plato, & Sir Issac Newton!
The Paleo Diet
Archeological and anthropological data indicate our pre-agricultural ancestors were largely free from modern afflictions of Westernized cultures including obesity, cancer, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. So the theory states that if we eat more like our ancestors, than we can be just as healthy. This means only strictly eating meat (grass-fed/ hormone-free), fish, fowl(bird), vegetables, fruits, roots, tubers(potatoes) and nuts. On the flip-side one should not eat grains, legumes (peas, soybeans, peanuts) and dairy.
Benefits to eating like Cavemen:
- In theory, less susceptible to cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and many other modern-day diseases.
- Allergen absence, milk and wheat are among the eight foods that account for 90 percent of food allergic reactions
- Energy- decrease in highs and lows from insulin and sugar spikes
- Weight Control
"Flex-iterian"
Both diets have benefits and down-falls, thus I think I couldn’t whole-heartedly suggest either in it's entirely. Rather I’d suggest people to live in balance.
Luckily Both sides agree that:
- It is healthy to eat fruits and vegetables
- Animals should be treated humanely (with enough space, social contact with their own kind, fed food that doesn’t cause digestive distress, and not abused)
- Organic, sustainable agriculture is far better than conventional agriculture (environmental impact and nutritional quality)
- Encouraging moderate intake of healthful fats (Omega-3 and monosaturated fats)
- Trans-fats, refined sugar, refined vegetable oils, and refined flour are to be avoided
Conclusion: The real enemy is the Standard American Diet: Fast-food- Factory-farmed meat cooked in vegetable oil, and served with genetically modified, pesticide-laced, refined soy/corn/wheat concoctions, with a tub of carbonated high fructose corn-syrup.
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