Something else that has been on my mind for the past few weeks is how many vegetarians I know who look haggard, sickly, pale, have low energy/extreme fatigue, are scatterbrained and get sick easily. My opinion is that no religious cause is worth sacrificing your health for. I recently learned that in order to absorb the amount of vitamin D we need for a strong immune system and vitality in general, we have to be consuming enough quality fats. Unless a vegetarian is consciously supplementing by using grass-fed butter, fish oil (if not strict vegetarian), or willing to eat meat on occasion, they are not going to get the _right_ fats. Avocado, nuts, coconut oil, all good sources of fats but according to my research, not enough for optimal nutrient absorption. And B-12 deficiencies cause neurological problems and impair optimal brain function. B-12 must be synthesized in the gut, though some people have seen improvement after a B-12 shot. I do notice that the strict vegetarians and vegans I know who eat mostly raw organic fruits, veggies and nuts appear healthier (in terms of good color, quality of skin, overall vitality and energy level) than those who rely on pasta, sandwiches, burritos, take-out like Thai food and pizza. I think the best thing a vegetarian can do if they are unwilling to compromise their religious beliefs for better health is to make a habit of juicing organic vegetables regularly with an emphasis on the greens, eating more salads with nuts, seeds and avocado, using coconut oil to cook with, and learn how to prepare nutrient-dense, mineral-rich vegetable dishes. Those who are willing to eat fish should include sardines, wild salmon and mackerel which contain a healthy dose of Omega 3/6 oils. I was a vegetarian for about 20 years, 8 of those vegan, 3 more of those raw vegan. I am now a conscious omnivore and try to derive 75-80% of my diet from plant foods. I am healthier than Ive ever been in my life, though heavier, I would gladly trade being skinny for the incredible immune function, stamina and mental acuity I now have. After I was on the road to severe deficiency as a result of too many years without essential nutrients, I made the decision to never again let my religious beliefs about food stand in the way of my health. It is possible to honor all forms of life while still taking care of the body and mind. Look to the Tibetans for guidance. They are highly devotional people who revere all walks of life, and yet, they acknowledge that lives must be taken in order to thrive and do our Dharma on Earth. They choose large animals like Yaks so that only one life is taken to feed many others, and they are deeply reverent of these animals. In our culture, it is rare to see such consciousness around the taking of animal life for our food, but we can cultivate it individually with our choices. I admit that I have been indulgent at times with things like bacon which I do not ethically support, and lazy quick-fix meals like roasted chickens from the grocery store which are not raised in a way that I feel good about. I am moving in a direction of more and more consciousness and reverence, while I tend to my bodys needs. I admire the resolve of people who make spiritual or ethical choices with the good of the planet and all its creatures in mind, however, I also feel that we can do much more for the planet if we are healthy of body and mind.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 00:26:17 +0000
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