Vegan or Vegetarian? Cool! Still Doesn’t Mean Your Healthier
Eliminating meat from a terrible diet doesn’t really make it any healthier, according to a study released today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. In fact, the study found that participants whose mostly-plant-based diets (think vegetarian or vegan) included a lot of processed foods, such as sugary beverages and French fries, were more likely to develop heart disease or die during the study period than people who avoided processed food—even if that meant eating a little meat.
I saw an Instagram post the other day that said “I do it for the animals, not the health”, everyone has their own reasons and choices for the decisions they make, and that’s totally cool, but any statements around automatically being healthier because one is a Vegan or Vegetarian is FALSE. This study is trying to convey the simple fact that you can still be a vegan and eat like shit. I mean look at the long list of crap that fits the vegan mold:
- Oreos
- Pop-Tarts
- Gronola Bars
- Chips (including Veggie)
- Jell-O Instant Pudding Mix. …
- Marshmallow Ice Cream Topping. …
- Cinnamon Twists.
- And Many more…..
Please hold while I compose myself, as you can see we have some legends of the snack game on the list.
No meat or dairy is not the “Get out of Disease free Card” that vegans or vegetarians may think. There are a ton of situations where people with normal balanced diets (meats included) are in more favorable health states then vegans and vegetarians. Removing the physical activity aspect from it all and focusing strictly on diet, it comes down to processed foods. While roaming around the grocery store the more cardboard boxes and plastic bags surrounding you usually means the more processed your options are. The best diet for your overall health is one which consists of plant based WHOLE foods that are rich in fiber. Pro Tip – Buy most of your food from the perimeter of the store, those tend to house the most nutritious foods.
Each meal should be dominated by something that came from the ground, smaller potions of meats, dairy and (healthy) fats are perfectly fine but they need to be in the supporting role.
Use your primal senses when deciding what your gonna buy. If you can see it, touch it, smell it, taste it and hear it then its probably a good option. Just remember to keep your head on a swivel before you put that apple you licked back, or no ones snapchatting you talking to a coconut. Touch your food, grow it if you can , shop local farmers markets, always go with the organic grass fed options for your meats and dairy’s. Above all, get up and move. Its essential, and will put you in that very important position when adversity strikes….A Position to Win
