vegans did you know that.......

I'm sure that is the view of many dairy farmers; it's their livelihoods, but those cows are bred to produce lots of milk so it's their fault those cows die when their not milked. If people cut back on milk they will bred less dairy cows.

And the comment about being cruel to tomatoes is lame. Our bodies cannot survive without fruit or veg; same can't be said animal products.

So, how does Forks Over Knives explain the fact that we didn't have all of these health problems over the last several thousand years of eating domesticated animals? I haven't watched the movie itself, but it sounds like an incredibly short sighted concept. Especially when they lump meat, dairy, and artificial processed foods all together. That seems to me like saying that I smoke and drink water, and got lung cancer, it must have been caused by the water.

Again, I haven't seen the movie, but just reading the synopsis makes it sound more like propaganda to shill their books and diet plans (which you can conveniently order right from their website.)

Actually, they explain in in great detail. They use decades of research and studies to back up their premise. Observation of civilizations living currently on the planet and in recent decades gives us the best evidence that a diet low in animal proteins and fats is the healthiest diet for humans. Many cultures have subsisted on a starch based diet with lots of vegetables and fruits as their main resources. Meat is eaten more as a side dish and not at every meal. Some of the studies seem to indicate that if you keep the animal protein intake under 5% you are probably doing just fine. Their suggestion to eliminate it entirely is based upon the premise that you gain nothing nutritionally from eating animal products that you couldn't gain eating a plant-based diet. In fact, the only source of cholesterol is from animal products. It's like a cigarette smoker just having an occasional cigarette or an alcoholic having an occasional drink. Your body can handle it, but it's still poison.

I have been on this new lifestyle since June 12th. Before that, I was just cutting back on my calories and I was losing about a pound a week. Since June 12th, without changing my caloric intake, I am now losing over 2 pounds per week. The first week I made the change, I lost 4 pounds. I had been dieting for 6 weeks before that. I now have more energy than ever before. I haven't felt this good in years and I have never enjoyed eating as much as I do now. Healthy food tastes so much better than it ever did before. For me, it has been a drastic improvement in the quality of my life and I am no longer a victim of my urges for cheesy fatty foods.

It's curious as to why some meat eaters feel threatened by the vegan or vegetarian lifestyles and go on the attack.

Hi guys, this thread contains some interesting responses, so in order for it to continue...please refrain from insulting each other. Report any posts which you find personal and/or offensive...please do not retaliate on the forums. I have edited some posts and deleted others that contained non on topic information.

Thank you!

Ms_Natalie

MyFitnessPal Forum Moderator :flowerforyou:

In fact, the only source of cholesterol is from animal products. It's like a cigarette smoker just having an occasional cigarette or an alcoholic having an occasional drink. Your body can handle it, but it's still poison.

Wait, what? Poison? Cholesterol is essential for all animal life, including humans. It's used by the body to make hormones, cell membranes, and in the synthesis of Vitamin D. And, in actual fact, there are many plant sources of cholesterol. Particularly any oily plant, and the oils derived from them. In fact, avocado, sunflower seeds, peanuts, coconut oils, and olives are all sources of cholesterol. So if this is what Forks Over Knives is telling people, well, then, they're wrong, or just lying.

I eat many vegetarian and vegan dishes, as part of my approach of balanced eating. Not every meal needs meat, but that's doesn't mean that meat has no nutritional value to humans. My ancestors have been eating meat for hundreds of thousands of years. To me, that means it's part of a staple diet. Is meat 100% required to live? Well, no, but neither are, say, potatoes. There are plenty of sources that can give the same nutrients as potatoes, so you don't need to eat potatoes to live either, but they certainly taste delicious (or not, depending on your taste buds.) I have all the respect for anyone and their food choices. I just choose to use actual fact when it comes to my food decisions, and what's best for me, may not be best for you. I see nothing wrong with eating vegan or vegetarian if that's your preference, but at the same time, the respect needs to go both ways. Use facts when talking about being vegan, not propaganda. And check your facts, especially if it's coming from a source with an obvious slant one way or the other.

Actually, facts are very important to me. I don't possess to know all the answers, but I do understand the value of research. From what I have learned, plant foods, including sunflower seeds and avocados do NOT contain cholesterol. Sunflower seeds have "phytosterol" which actually lowers cholesterol. Avocado fat helps raise the body's "good" cholesterol (HDL) even though it does not contain cholesterol. Consuming cholesterol is a main contributing factor to our number one killer, heart disease.

I can appreciate skepticism. I tend to be skeptical myself. I am an engineer and I am detail-oriented. Perhaps that's why it took me 46 years to finally come around to this way of eating. I am not attacking anyone's choices, but I think it's important to have an open discussion. If you can point to a study that proves me wrong, then I thank you for increasing my knowledge. I admit I don't know everything.

bonk

He seemed okay with the idea of vegetarian although he wouldn't do it but vegan was just mindboggling to him. He said he couldn't live without dessert and I informed him that I have made many tasty non dairy desserts but apparently they couldn't possibly be "like this" (as he points to his cake)

Oh and one more thing.......this was his "Funny" little quote to plant based diets.......

I DON'T EAT WHAT FOOD EATS!

Oh, this guy clearly fancied the pants off you! Classic, immature school boy "steal your pencil case, get your attention" behavior. So desperate to get a rise / reaction, sorry you had to deal with such an idiot though :laugh:

I'm veggie. I never, ever jump down people's throat with my thoughts / opinions - but if someone starts making snide comments, or genuinely wants to know more about why I avoid meat etc, I'll happily tell them my reasoning.

For me, the "its no different to a dog catching and eating a rabbit / it's natural" thing never rang true. Over thousands of years we've evolved these great big brains which, among other things, give us a greater empathy for suffering. In the West, we are incredibly privileged to live in a society that enables us to live in a manner that does not necessitate the consumption of meat. It's as simple as that for me. I don't have to eat it, so I won't, thanks :blushing: