I AM NOT A VEGETARIAN OR A VEGAN
Posted by glambition on Oct 20, 2006 · Member since Oct 2006 · 1 posts
heyy, i just joined this site because i am thinking about becoming a vegetarian or a vegan. I really don't know very much about VEGANS though ... which is a healthier lifestyle - vegetarian or vegan?! I was thinking of becoming one because my passion is health and i want to put the best things in my body as possible. I want to lose a little weight (5 lbs) (I am 5"4 and 120) and I want to just be an overall HEALHIER MORE ENERGETIC PERSON. I run, I LOVE HEALTH. I LOVE COOKING. I just want to know anyones opinion about if I should maybe try to be a vegetarian or a vegan and which one i should try? I also feel bad for the animals ... but i LOVE seafood. I JUST NEED SOME GUIDANCE. thanks
I'm not too sure about weight loss as a motive, considering that you don't have too much to spare (I'm 5'4" - 110 and people pester me to death to eat something!). As for which is better, me with my own vegan view point can only say that vegan is the way to go because
. . .hope I'm not making too many enemies there. You say you feel bad for the animals, but love seafood. This requires a good look within to see which of those you feel more strongly. If this is just a quick fix type thing, veganism is probably going to be a bit more complicated than you might deem it's worth. Many begin with vegetarianism, then move on, if compelled, to veganism from there. Maybe, start reducing animal products and see how you feel about it as you go along. Things should clarify in your own heart and mind because that's the only place you'll be likely to find the answer to such a big life decision. However you choose to go. . .glad you're here. ;)
I met a marathon runner in training who was not vegetarian at all, but ate veggie patties because he felt that it was the most convenient, least cholesterol-laden way for him to get all the extra protein he needed for that kind of activity. Clearly there's something in a veg*n diet to be desired for any health nut, but, as baypuppy and 7 point out, it will be better for your health if you take major changes slowly and know exactly to what new behavior you should attribute any health changes.
I applaud your desire to eat fit and live fit! I'm really not a health veg*n (I'm not a health anything!) but I can assure you that a balanced diet containing lots of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and variety will make you feel great and will make you strong.
The best advice I can give you is probably not to sweat the label. Eat a wide variety of nutritious foods every day: fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses and beans, seeds and nuts. Eat the colors of the rainbow. Eat the different chambers of the food pyramid. You'll be getting lots of complementary proteins that way, along with the fiber and vitamins your body wants. And you'll probably end up cutting out the meat and dairy, and eventually perhaps the seafood.
If living healthy is your central goal, you might consider consulting with a nutritionist to get their help in evaluating your diet for change.
Cheers!
meat kills animals, reason enough for me. # 1 in the four noble truthes. any buddha will tell you.