Vegan Challenge Day 3: Forks over Knives
February 8th, 2012 at 11:28 pm by Elysia Rodriguez under Health
In trying to understand what vegans do and do not eat, there are clearly two seperate reasons to avoid certain foods. Many are for health reasons, others are for ending the so-called exploitation of animals. The latter clearly goes well beyond diet.
There are dietary vegans that focus on eliminating animal products from their diets only. Environmental vegans reject using animal products becaue of the hard they do to the environment and a belief that using animal products is unsustainable. Ethical vegans believe animals aren’t a commodity and won’t use animal products for any purpose.
For someone who is just now exploring this world, it’s all very confusing.
To learn more about dietary vegans, I turned to a well-recommended documentary called “Forks over Knives.” The movie looks at the connection between animal-based and processed foods and degenerative diseases.
It uses my home country, the Philippines, as an example of a society that historically and traditionally doesn’t include a lot of meat or dairy in an average diet. However, like most developing countries; processed foods, meat and dairy have been introduced through western restaurants and easier access at grocery stores. It looks at the change in diets and the increase in certain diseases.
Overall, it’s an interesting look at the reasons behind some people’s choice to go vegan, but for every doctor that says a plan-based, whole foods diet is the way to go there are also doctors that say animal products are an important part of your diet. Thursday, 22News Registered Dietician Nancy Dell is in the studio and I plan on having her weigh in on the debate.
As for day three’s food… the learning curve continues.
Our tofu shepherd’s pie had a bit too much rosemary (who knew dried herbs were so much more potent than fresh), I liked it, Kara did not.
But, guacamole saved the day! Kara made amazing guacamole with a lot of onion and a lot of garlic.
Help us out and send your vegan meal ideas to erodriguez@wwlp.com. You can also follow my progress on twitter @ElysiaRodriguez.
“so-called exploitation of animals”
Are you serious? Of COURSE there is almost universal exploitation of animals in this country. Can you support your claim that there is no real exploitation of animals going on please?
I ask because I can give you countless studies, undercover videos, ex and current worker comment from slaughterhouses, and any other number of pieces of documentation that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that there, exists, almost universal exploitation of animals in America’s industrial farming practices.
Just found that “Get Official Samples” is promoting a wide variety of major brands by providing free samples. You’ll have to fill in your zip code to see if you can qualify to receive them. You can get all samples from one place. I think it is available for most of the zip codes and it worked for me.
I write the blog, It’s Easy Being Vegan. This year I am providing one tip per day on my Facebook page to make going vegan easier for newbies. To get the tips, you can either like It’s Easy Being Vegan on Facebook or check my blog on Mondays for the summary of the past week’s tips. Good luck with your vegan journey!