Comments on: Going Cold Turkey From Meat

Sunday Morning: Austin Firefighters Are Powerful Advocates Of A Vegetarian Diet, But Some Have A Beef About Giving Up Meat

[budmag06]

Mr. Obama, please ration our daily portion of meat or tax meat out of existence. As socialists, we
need to do what's best for the health of our comrades!

[PENWEL]

HISTORY SAYS -- MANKINDS FIRST FOOD AND CLOTHING EXPERIENCE WAS ANIMAL MEAT, SKIN AND FURS . EARLY MAN CAME INTO THE WORLD UNDER THE SAME HARSH CONDITIONS AS THE ANIMALS AROUND THEM, BORN NAKED ON THE EARTH WITH LESS CHANCE OF SURVIVAL THAN ANY OTHER LIFE AT THAT TIME. HOW EARLY MAN BECAME HUNTERS, GATHERING WILD MEAT AND FURS AS STAPLES OF LIFE -- ISN'T FOR ME TO SAY. BUT I DO BELIEVE AS HISTORY RECORDS, THAT EARLY MANS FIRST FOOD STAPLE WAS ANIMAL MEAT. AND AS TIME MOVED ON, OTHER FOODS VARIED HIS DIET. AND TODAY, OUR MAIN FOOD STAPLE SEEMS TO BE ANIMAL MEAT, VARIED WITH FRUIT / VEGETABLES FROM THE EARTH AND FISH FROM THE SEAS. IN THESE MODERN TIMES, SOME OF US CRINGE AT THE THOUGHT OF USING ANIMALS IN OUR FOOD CHAIN. -- I'VE HAD THAT UPSET FEELINGS AT TIMES MYSELF, BUT AGAIN -- IT ISN'T FOR ME TO SAY...

[no_nonesense]

'My cousin decided to try a vegan diet when she was having fertility issues. Some article she read had said it would improve her chances. It did, she got pregnant after about six months. She continued the vegan diet until they had to induce her at five months. The baby was malformed and had stopped growing. The diagnosis after autopsy? Lack of protein. A vegan diet is not for everyone. ' Posted by debinok1


It's pretty hard to find a plant-based food that does not have protein You don't fool me. There is moe to this story than a change in food choices. An autopsy for a five month fetus? hmmm. Sounds more like anorexia or one of many other kinds of birth defects.

[moosecur]

I have been eating this way for 8 months. It's everything it's cracked up to be and I'm a meat raised Texan. It is the intelligent way to provide nutrients to your body. Food has become entertainment and it was never supposed to be that. Watch a Chili's ad on TV - it is NOT food - that stuff is pure western disease. Flat out.

Those fatalists who argue that we are all going to die anyway are cowards.

I'll wager with any of them the day the go in for angina or shortness of breath they will beg the doctor like a child for surgery and medicine. They'll cry with their wives and children and pray for a miracle cure to deliver them from the disease that will rob them of years of life they could have spent enjoying grandkids and sunsets etc....

People who eat poorly and have the resources and the smarts to do otherwise are squandering their longevity and the most precious resource of all - their person. I say, do whatever you want in life, but if you eat like hell and want 200k worth of surgery and drugs to fix your problems, you should be subject to a high rate insurance policy. And you should have to wear a bib that has 'stubborn fool' printed across the front it when you go out to dinner.

Seriously, quitting the western diet is like quitting smoking. It isn't easy. It is worth it though. Engine 2 Diet is written for the average western beast. Go pick it up. Try it. Maybe you can see your great grandkids. Maybe you can teach one of them to ride a bike or paint. Maybe you'll change your mind about the things in life you though were important and start living more for the long run and not the short gain? Maybe this what America needs to do to get our edge back? I'm tired of the way we look and act. This is something we can all do to pitch and move ahead - and then when we get everybody back on track we'll have earned our steak dinner. I'll buy.

[mharris77]

Lumping animal products in with the processed garbage that lines the shelves of our supermarkets is absolutely absurd. As a species, we survived for thousands and thousands of years while consuming animal products before the occurrence of the Western diseases of civilization.

What's the difference between those times and now? Our ancestors ate REAL FOOD, animal products when they could, plants when they needed them to survive. They did not consume processed crap. No Rice Krispie Treats, cheesecake, soy milk, white bread, pasta, or Miller Lite.

That said, I am a zero-carb eater, and have previously tried the vegetarian path. Cutting meat out of my life was one of the worst experiences I ever had. I lost a noticeable amount of muscle mass in just a few months (while lifting weights and doing cardio regularly) and generally felt lousy. There were frequent peaks and valleys. I eventually decided to make a change, switching to low-carb, and gradually finding my way to zero-carb. I've managed to regain the muscle mass I lost and then some, and am pretty close to sporting a six-pack for the first time in 15 years. My numbers have gone from borderline before low-carb to outstanding.

To each their own way of eating. Although I now choose to peacefully disagree with vegetarianism, it is the attitudes of those who feel the need to ram it down the throats of society and use the old "my dinner didn't have parents/kids/a face" moral high ground to attempt to further their argument that turned me off from trying vegetarianism for years before I did, and make me wonder what I was thinking when I decided to finally give it a shot.

[debinok1]

My cousin decided to try a vegan diet when she was having fertility issues. Some article she read had said it would improve her chances. It did, she got pregnant after about six months. She continued the vegan diet until they had to induce her at five months. The baby was malformed and had stopped growing. The diagnosis after autopsy? Lack of protein. A vegan diet is not for everyone.

[moxiekat]

MKM99, I know that zero carbing is very controversial, as controversial as low carbing was when Atkins first rolled out his plan.

Much to mainstream nutrionists' surprise, numerous respected and unbiased studies have shown low carbing to be the most viable diet not only for weight loss but, more importantly, good heart health. Low carbohydrate diets control insulin AND lipid levels (such as triglycerides)...the two main causes of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, respectively. It is not the fat nor the meat we need to concern ourselves with...it is the sugar, it's always been the sugar.

In the highly respected book by Gary Taubes, "Good Calories Bad Calories", the studies promoting low fat/high carb were shown to be seriously flawed. Carbohydrates always were and remain the culprit in so many diseases of civilization.

The above said, I recognize the controversy behind it and I appreciate the passion it evokes...particularly in those who promote low fat/high carb as the healthy way to eat.

I invite you to look at the site on zero carbing (I was rushed this morning and incorrectly named the site: it's ZeroingInOnHealth(dot)com). It is an unusual forum as it offers many credible sources of information and studies to underscore why some of us choose to eat this way.

One last point, not one person arrives at the decision to eat zero carb from a position of *denial*. The great majority have researched in depth the benefits of zero carbing vs conventional wisdom on the standard American diet. Those of us who choose to zero carb or *very low carb* know the why's and what for's...much like the vegans do for their way of eating.

To each his own path. :-)

[slownewsday05]

Let's see... Liberal attacks on smoking, alcohol, energy usage, strip clubs, overweight people, cow farts, and now meat? Did you ever notice that the attacks on our personal freedoms start off with "It's bad for you!" or "It causes global warming!"? Now, with the socialists in power and with "Big Government" health care coming, it won't get any better. Soon, you will not have any freedoms.
Posted by budmag06

Really? I thought the social conservatives were the ones against drinking, smoking, and strip clubs.

Oh - sorry - didn't realize that you only have one label for people who disagree with your views....

[cs4466]

I, too, am a vegetarian, have been for about eight years now. It's a great change and a great way to get your nutrition. I eat great and I know I didn't slaughter any animals to do it. Now THAT is a wonderful feeling.

[Ichabod09]

1951 was the last time anyone "died of old age". Now we know the difference between aging and the diseases associated with aging. Trouble with medicine now is that primary care is "going out of business" as a specialty.

Primary care is dependent on health promotion and disease prevention. That means healthy lifestyle and immunizations. There is not much money in promoting healthy living. The real money in medicine is in specialty medicine.

You know the specialties?-specialties that deal with diseases caused by years of unhealthy living.

I like to call specialty medicine a delayed sin tax. Is the expression "your money or your life" applicable only to muggers?

[no_nonesense]

Thank you for this inspiring story. While the vegan diet of Engine Company 2 was not adopted for moral and ethical reasons, it gives hope for an eating culture that is kinder to the planet and its other inhabitants, and it is healthier for humans.

Seven years ago I imagined myself an invalid from the effects of arthritis. It was either take toxic inflammatories or become incapacitated. Five years ago, I choose vegetarianism after becoming an animal advocate. Today, I manage the arthritis with glucosamine and chondrotin (which keeps me from being vegan) and one to two aspirins a day. The arthritis has not been cured, but the progression has been halted. I'm in my mid sixties, and today I am healthier because I stopped letting the meat and dairy industries dictate my diet.

I won't deny that meat has great flavor, but so does many unhealthy foods. I do not feel deprived in my decision to stop eating animals and their products. As a matter of fact, nothing feels better and is more heart-healthy then being a participant in cruelty-free living. My only regret is it took most of my life to learn the truth.

[bjo1109]

Let's see... Liberal attacks on smoking, alcohol, energy usage, strip clubs, overweight people, cow farts, and now meat? Did you ever notice that the attacks on our personal freedoms start off with "It's bad for you!" or "It causes global warming!"? Now, with the socialists in power and with "Big Government" health care coming, it won't get any better. Soon, you will not have any freedoms. --budmag06

I agree with everything you said. This world is really getting ridiculous. It would be funny if it weren't so frightening.

People evolved to be omnivores. That's our nature. If someone wants to limit their diet to certain foods, that's their choice. But I will make my own choice, thank you. Don't force your views on me.

[budmag06]

Let's see... Liberal attacks on smoking, alcohol, energy usage, strip clubs, overweight people, cow farts, and now meat? Did you ever notice that the attacks on our personal freedoms start off with "It's bad for you!" or "It causes global warming!"? Now, with the socialists in power and with "Big Government" health care coming, it won't get any better. Soon, you will not have any freedoms.

[johnlopez649]

Great Article! I have been a vegetarian for 20 years now and am now phasing out eggs, dairy and animal products in my health care products. I have never felt better, am more healthy than my family members, my weight is balance for my body type and rarely get sick. It is a myth that people need to eat meat! Pure propaganda that is brainwashing the minds of americans everywhere. I truly cannot imagine eating meat from an animal that has been tortured and kept in cages for the duration of their life, pumped full of drugs so their bodies will artificially grow to unnatural proportions just to so people can please their taste buds.
I am glad people are becoming more responsible and conscious of their choices.

[fatdaddyherb]

Look, it's about quality of life, not quantitiy. For the 87 yo, it was already too late for her, and from her view it wasn't worth the change. oh well.

[sherryporter]

We can eat as we choose, but since I went vegetarian, I feel great and don't miss the meat at all. In fact, I find the odor of cooking meat somewhat nauseating. Think I'll buy the book.

[sgtnitnoy]

Just how long is too long a person to deprive him/herself enjoying one of life's pleasure (eating)? I will never forget my 87 year old mother whom I asked why she was not eating her meal. Her reply, which have been indelibly ingrained in my memory, "what for! I can not taste the food" (because it was blandly prepared for her due to her diabetes. My point is what is the purpose to live longer if one is not enjoying his/her remaining life.

[amor_y_paws]

I love the quote ?We dig our graves with our fork.? (i.e., with the Standard American Diet contributes to the top 2 reasons of death: heart disease and cancer?google it). Everyone has the right to their own quality of life (i.e., you are what you eat). My choices just happen to extend to the quality of life of animals (google factory farming). I don?t have children to take care of me when I?m old and sick so my ?insurance? is a healthy diet which pretty much follows the Engine 2 Diet (I just ordered the book to get recipes!) I?ve heard ?it?s too expensive to eat healthy??that is partially true because meat is subsidized by the government (you know the drill, google it). If you had to pay the true cost of meat, you probably would eat less of it. I like to say, I?d rather pay up front than later (bad health, taking time off to have surgery and recover, not to mention your family's time to take care of you, etc.) It boils down to choice and quality of life. Food is medicine (or poison). The power is on your fork! Sunday Morning, thank you for the story--you may have saved many lives today.

[moxiekat]

The debatable issues of global warming and animal rights concerns aside, flip the vegan coin and you'll find the zero carbers, aka *meatatarians*, of which I am one.

My lipid levels specifically, and my health in general, are excellent. I'm currently training for a half-marathon and I'm 40 years of age. I happened upon zero carbing via low carbing, which had been my staple way of eating for many years. After yo-yoing in weight (approx 15lbs) and suffering daily cravings for high carb foods (pasta, bread, cakes, cookies), I switched to zero carb.

While vegans seem to have found their *healthy* diet, mine is one that eschews carbs as I recognize that carbs are the ONLY food matter that precipitate a deleterious release of insulin in the body.

There is a great site called zeroinginonyourhealth(dot)com for anybody interested in zero carb. It doesn't sell anything. It's completely free. The information that exists there is excellent. Note that it is not my site -- I do participate in the forum but I am a Janey-Come-Lately to the group so I'm not hawking anything here. Just providing an opportunity for others to research a second perspective on health.

[The_Healthy_Librarian]

The Esselstyn family are the real deal. They truly walk their talk--and that goes for the entire family--kids & grandkids included.

If only we could all have the energy, good health and vitality that Ann and Caldwell Esselstyn have.

I didn't set out to change my diet--and besides, I thought I already was eating a very healthy diet--but that was before I heard what Dr. Esselstyn had to say.

Now I finally understand how we can have a heart attack or a silent stroke even if we think we don't have heart disease or atherosclerosis.

Your coronary artery has to be 70% occluded to have symptoms, like angina. If your arteries are even 10-69% blocked, and you're inflaming them with what you eat, you're at risk.
It's all about inflammation - Calm down the inflammation & you'll keep those atherosclerotic plaques safely stuck to your artery walls.

It may take some getting used to--but the benefits of eating a diet high in greens, beans, whole grains & fruit will pay you back beyond anything you can imagine.

In February I had a chance to lunch with the Esselstyns, and the food & company were outstanding!

Here's the story of "My Delicious Heart Healthy Lunch at the Home of Dr. Caldwell B. & Ann Esselstyn - A Nitric Oxide Booster Shot" - with recipes included!

http://www.happyhealthylonglife.com/happy_healthy_long_life/2009/02/lunch-at-the-esselstyns.html

Just copy & paste the link if it's not "live".