"Mostly" plant-based diet, but not vegan/vegetarian?

Whoops. I'm clearly a big fail at figuring out how to quote and comment. I would like to add to the discussion though...AeolianHarp I would agree with you that stress factors into health in a big way but I do believe there is plenty of research proving that the diets our cattle are fed have reduced Omega 3, and increased Omega 6s. Natural meat (free range, grass fed) should have a 1-1 ratio. The problem also exists in poultry. If you choose to eat meat I would suggest grass fed beef and organic chicken. I eat about 3 oz of organic chicken several times per week, but have given up other animal based proteins. Some day I hope to give up the chicken as well.

So what? If someone is getting sufficient Omega 3s in spite of one's meat consumption then who is to say that meat is negatively affecting one's health?

There are tonnes of people who live long, healthy lives despite what is considered a subpar diet. Health is a complicated matter. I never meant to imply that food doesn't affect it but there are hundreds of different factors that can hurt one's health just as much as food can. Restricting food and potentially placing a psychological burden on oneself just for it is moot. People focus on food far too much and never look at other aspects. There are people who never care a dash about health yet live longer than people who do.

Restricting food you enjoy is never the way. It's a pointless endeavour.

I eat a mostly whole plant diet. I am trying to get more whole foods in and less meat/animal proteins. I am following the Eat to Live philosophy for health reasons. You can look at my profile and friend me if you like. Check out www.drfuhrman.com for more info. I personally think there is a lot more to the issue than most people want to believe. So to each their own. I know I feel better not eating animal protein. I just need to learn more about eating this way.

There is a lot of info about reversing/preventing heart disease, cancer, and auto immune diseases. I believe it is through whole plants. It is the micronutrients rather than the macros. If you eat whole plants, it just works out.

I have been Vegetarian/Pescatarian (meaning I will eat seafood occasionally) since 2008. After seeing Forks Over Knives, I've been trying my best to eat as 'vegan' as possible. Not ready for the full commitment of going 100% vegan though, so just trying to be as conscious about it as possible. So far so good!

Ok, so, I just watched Food, INC. and I have seen in myself that I am a victim of this system. If you look at my journal, I am constantly sticking to fast food meals and sugary goodnesses. I don not want to continue this trend. I AM going to try to rid myself of this crap that the governments and the food systems are feeding us. I WILL do this!
Plant based diet.. HERE I COME!!!

Yea, when I saw how the chicks were being tossed around I closed my eyes. I couldn't watch it. I even cringed when they broke the chickens necks at the organic farm, and all the manure the cows were standing in just made me sick!! It was a real eye opener! I am planning on digging out my blender today and getting stocked up on some fruits and veggies and nuts. I may have a few bites of meat sometimes, but I WILL not over do it like I am now!! Thanks for the advice susan!

Whoops. I'm clearly a big fail at figuring out how to quote and comment. I would like to add to the discussion though...AeolianHarp I would agree with you that stress factors into health in a big way but I do believe there is plenty of research proving that the diets our cattle are fed have reduced Omega 3, and increased Omega 6s. Natural meat (free range, grass fed) should have a 1-1 ratio. The problem also exists in poultry. If you choose to eat meat I would suggest grass fed beef and organic chicken. I eat about 3 oz of organic chicken several times per week, but have given up other animal based proteins. Some day I hope to give up the chicken as well.

So what? If someone is getting sufficient Omega 3s in spite of one's meat consumption then who is to say that meat is negatively affecting one's health?

There are tonnes of people who live long, healthy lives despite what is considered a subpar diet. Health is a complicated matter. I never meant to imply that food doesn't affect it but there are hundreds of different factors that can hurt one's health just as much as food can. Restricting food and potentially placing a psychological burden on oneself just for it is moot. People focus on food far too much and never look at other aspects. There are people who never care a dash about health yet live longer than people who do.

Restricting food you enjoy is never the way. It's a pointless endeavour.

Clearly you are happy with your diet, and I'm not here to argue the lifestyle choices we make. Personally I found that cutting sugar led to a need for less sugar, that cutting fats and processed foods made them seem gross when I did eat them and that I feel lighter and healthier overall on a mostly veg diet. I don't think of it as a "restriction" at all, rather a choice. I have also chosen to give up enriched flour, many processed foods and refined sugars/modified corn starch. It's second nature now, and I have a very complete, delicious array of foods. Do I miss Baskin-Robin sometimes? Yup. Is it difficult to give up meat? Yup. I used to eat it every day, sometimes twice a day. But giving it up is a choice, not a restriction.

As far as meat being unhealthy, I don't even know where to start, there is so much info. Meat and dairy furnish over 90% of the contaminants humans eat, including dioxin, PCBs and pesticides that have been banned but are still present in the animal's environments. A Harvard study (Cho, et.al, Archives of Internal Medicine 2006) shows that women are TWICE as likely to contract breast cancer on a heavy meat diet. Saturated fats lead to cardiac disease. The list goes on.

Anyway, I believe that everybody should take their own path, but they should do it with their eyes open.

Slightly off topic but - Personally i found 'Earthlings' both more moving and philosophical than any of the other titles that have been named. If you are interested check it out. It is quite confronting but i think its worth watching.