Meat Eaters vs Vegetarians / Vegans
February 5, 2010 by Akemi
What is the best way to eat for the optimal health of yourself and Mother Earth? Can we really live without eating any animal products? Is vegetarian way of living really superior?
There are four reasons why people choose to eat vegetarian, including more strict vegan and raw vegan way:
- Health: Animal products (meat, fish, dairy, eggs) are loaded with saturated fat and very acid-forming, therefore bad for our health.
- Environment / Sustainability: Cows don’t convert all the energies they get from their feed to their meat. A big portion is used for them to stay warm and to move around. Eating lower on the food chain saves energy and is kinder to the Earth.
- Moral / Animal rights: It’s cruel to kill sentient animals.
- Spirituality: By eating plants, especially raw, our body detoxes and becomes more capable of spiritual growth. Ultimately, the most spiritual way to eat is not to eat, to live solely on Light.
This post is an invitation to further discussion on these points. I am no scientist, so what I have to say about point 1 and 2 are the result of my reading. I’m also not my lightbody yet, so what I say about point 4 is my best guess. It’s a very comprehensive post of over 3000 words, so you might want to bookmark for future reference.
Vegetarians and health
Many vegetarians claim they feel much healthier than they did when they were eating meat. Eating meat does come with risks, as we will see. And I’m glad these people are feeling well. However, the potential risk of vegetarian diet deserves attention, too.
I don’t intend to discourage vegetarian / vegan / raw vegan diet. But some articles I read that support vegetarian diet sound as if this is the only right way to eat healthy, and I do have a problem with this attitude. I think it’s important to see both sides and weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Unless you are developing into a new human (discussed later for point 4), there is a fair chance that you would suffer from nutritional deficiencies on a vegetarian, especially strict vegan, diet. The major problems are:
Vitamin B12: Only bacteria can produce B12. These bacteria live in natural soil and in animals’ guts. So plant foods don’t provide B12. It is believed you need to take B12 either through meat (assimilated by the animal to their system) or supplement. However, some insist humans can host the beneficial bacteria in our guts, too, therefore producing B12 right there. There is also an argument that animal based B12 is not very bioavailable because it is bonded with protein.
Vitamin D: Everyone, including meat eaters, are at risk of D deficiency if they are not getting sufficient sunlight. And if you don’t live in sun-blessed area, you probably don’t get enough sun in colder months anyway.
Calcium: Calcium controversy is huge. Some insist dairy is actually counter-effective because dairy is very acid-forming and causes the body to leach calcium from the bones to neutralize the acidity. Plants, especially dark greens, do provide calcium. However, it’s hard to get the recommended 1000 mg of calcium from plants alone. I played around on Nutritional Data website and found it takes 11 cups of kale to get the 1000 mg of calcium.
Further, how this number of 1000 mg got FDA approved is yet another mystery and controversy. We don’t really know if we need this much of calcium. Calcium supplementation don’t statistically show to lower bone fracture rate.
Iron: Another big controversy. Some say iron from plants (beans and dark greens) are not very bioavailable, some say plant iron is just fine and there is even a study that shows vegans get more iron than meat eaters.
Essential Fatty Acid: Human body cannot produce omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Usually omega 6 is not a problem. Unless you are on a super low fat diet, it’s easy to get enough omega 6. Omega 3 is a challenge, however. There are three kinds of omega 3 fatty acid: ALA, EPA, and DHA. Plants don’t have EPA nor DHA. (Update: Certain algae make DHA, however, and now there are vegan supplements such as Udo’s DHA 3-6-9 Oil) Plant sources of omega 3 such as flax and chia provide ALA. Humans can convert ALA to EPA and DHA, but the conversion efficiency depends on individual health and age. So vegetarians can be at risk.
Essential Amino Acid (protein): It’s indeed possible to have complete amino acid profile by plant sources alone. However, it’s easy to go short on Lysine, which is typically lacking in grains and nuts. (Beans and some seeds are rich in Lysine.) So we need to pay attention to food combination.
Greens and algae typically have complete or close to complete amino acid profile, but because they contain much water, you just have to eat a lot of them to cover the required amount of protein. For example, one cup of kale has 2.2 grams of protein. Each person’s protein requirement is different, but even for me (petite woman who is not into body-building), the daily requirement is supposed to be 40 grams. If I am to get all my protein from greens, I need to eat heaps of them.
The overall amount of bioavailable protein is another controversy. Many vegetarians insist cows get their entire protein by eating grass, but each animal has different digestive system. Cows have four stomachs to help break down the tough cell wall of plants. Humans have only one. Cows probably have different digestive flora profile, too, to further support their digestion.
Theoretically, this is where juicing and blending come into. The nutrients become more available when the cell walls are broken in these processes, and you can eat much more vegetables this way. I said “can”. I don’t believe all vegetarians are eating plenty of vegetables to support their protein needs.
Health risks of eating meat
Of course, meat eaters who don’t eat enough vegetables face other kinds of potential deficiencies with vitamins, minerals, fiber and enzyme. If you are eating SAD (Standard American Diet), you are likely undernourished while you are getting more than enough calories in the form of saturated fat (read: cholesterol) and excessive protein, both are harmful to your system.
The problem of excessive protein intake isn’t getting enough attention. While we do need certain amount of protein to maintain our system, if you take more protein than you need for maintenance purpose, the excess has to be burned off. But protein doesn’t burn clean in our system like carbs and fats do. It produces nitrogen compound, which can be toxic, so the body has to process it through many chemical changes until it becomes uric acid and can be safely disposed in urine. It’s a lot of extra work for your body.
In addition, typical supermarket meat contains weird stuffs like residual antibiotics, growth hormones, etc. that were given to animals. They are fed really badly — remember the mad cow disease? Dairy and eggs are even worse than meat because these toxins are bio-concentrated. And we have contaminated the ocean so much that the fish come with mercury, PCB and other heavy metals.
Animal products also presents greater risk of bacterial and parasite growth.
Best food choices for your health
If you choose to eat animal products, be sure to chose organic. If you choose to eat fish, smaller fish that feed on plant plankton and whose lifespan is short are safer. And if you choose to go vegetarian or vegan, be smart with your food choices, combinations, and supplements.
I think it’s a good idea to get a blood work periodically to make sure of your nutritional health. Each person is different and what works for someone may not work for you. HOW you eat also affects your nutritional health.
Vegetarians and environment
Another reason people refuse eating meat these days is environmental concern. It’s more efficient to eat closer to the true energy source, sunlight. This means eating plants. If we can use the land to grow plants rather than animals, we are utilizing the resources better. This includes saving fossil fuels used in farming and water resource. Animals require a lot of water, again, most of which are used for the animals’ own sustenance. When we choose to eat plants, we are saving water.
Further, raising animals produces — waste. (Read: methane and other hazards to environment). In terms of carbon footprint, 18% of the world’s total greenhouse emission comes from meat production. Meat industry is a big player in climate change, more than transportation.
Best food choices for the environment
I do think many people eat too much animal products. If you are a meat eater, please review your meat / dairy intake level both for your own health and for the health of Mother Earth. Current level of animal farming is not really sustainable both for the resources and for waste management.
I don’t think, however, we need to completely end raising animals to protect the environment. Rather, I am dreaming of the old fashioned farm, or the way the indigenous people did farming, where animals, plants, and humans co-lived meaningfully, playing each role in the ecosystem.
I’d also like to point out the use of various chemicals in the conventional farming (pesticides, herbicide, etc) is harmful to the plants, land, and our water supply. If you care for the environment, please choose organic vegetables and fruits. And be diligent in checking the underside of your leafy greens — organic means there were bugs on the farm. 
Vegetarians and animal rights
Many people choose not to eat meats for compassionate reasons. Killing sentient animals is cruel and against moral. If you don’t eat your pet, why are you okay to eat other animals?
While I agree killing is bad, I think moral has its limitations. Moral is certainly better than no moral. Being aware eating meat means killing animals and killing is essentially no good is better than having no moral about life and death. However, moral tends to be dogmatic and make people judgmental. Further, it keeps us from reaching to higher awareness. In this case, higher awareness means life consumes life and we are all — humans, animals, and plants — part of the ecosystem. It’s not the endorsement of killing, but tolerance of the consumption of other lives.
I mean, I wonder why there is no plant rights activists?
I was also informed we need some form of animal products to grow plants. Bone meal, manure, and worm castings are commonly used fertilizers. So even if you are not eating meat, you are benefiting from byproducts of animal farming or some animals / bugs are working for the soil.
Animals’ right in living conditions
In terms of animal right, I am more concerned how the farm animals are raised and then put down rather than if someone ever put them down for their consumption. Did you know conventional chickens never see sunlight nor breathe outdoor air for their whole life? From the time they hatch in the machine, they are kept in a crowded factory. Letting them move around is a waste of their food energy and it also increases their dark meat, which sells cheaper than white meat. I also heard chicken wings pinched to restrict their movement.
They are packed in filthy indoor, standing in their own feces. This horrible growing environment causes many diseases, so the chickens are fed with antibiotics regularly. Fast turnover means more profit, so in order to raise them quickly, they are also fed with growth hormone.
And when the day comes, these chickens are dunk in hot water alive. Factory farms don’t even bother to kill the chickens individually. They are drowned, which also wet their feathers, making it easier to handle.
I think, if we are to accept animal products as foods even occasionally, the animals must be raised in a more healthy, humane way. And when the time comes, they should be put down properly. A little prayer would be nice to show respect to the animals who are making the ultimate sacrifice to sustain our life. Traditionally some religions require priests to be present at slaughtering. I think this is a very wise way.
How to actualize humane animal farming
Also, in order for this kind of humane animal farming to happen, overall meat consumption need to be much lower. As long as we eat tons of animal products, there will be businesses that raise animals in quantity and speed, rather than paying attention to quality. Gluttony is a real problem, not occasional considerate consumption.
I’m not sure if refusing to eat meat helps to bring this humane animal farming to happen. Most animal right people just condemn any animal farming/ killing and don’t want to learn how we can improve animal farming. If the whole populations are becoming vegan, this is fine — absolutely no animal farming, period. We don’t need to worry about the way animals are raised and slaughtered. But as long as animal farming exists, we are better off paying attention to the reality of animal farming rather than condemning it.
Vegetarians and spiritual growth
This is a reason that is often implied but seldom explained properly. Often, it is discussed at the moral level in regard to compassion and animal rights, but this is not what I mean here by “spiritual growth”.
What I mean is, by eating “clean” foods, we can evolve into a new physical being that is highly developed spiritually as well.
We are spiritual beings in the physical body. So the condition of our physical body affects our spirituality, and vice versa. When we feed our physical body with clean foods that contain less toxins, our body gets to detox itself and start vibrating higher. This helps our spiritual growth.
On the other hand, if we put in foods that contain a lot of toxins, our body has to take care of them. Many people are hardly keeping up with this cleanup task because they eat so much and so much foods that leave a lot of toxins. When you fall behind the cleanup work, you get ill. There is little room for spiritual activities when you can hardly keep up with the maintenance work of your physical body.
Generally speaking, plant foods are cleaner than animal foods. In other words, plant foods are easier to digest and leave less problematic matter in the system. Plant foods, especially raw.
It’s essential to note that, from this perspective, ALL foods are taxing the body more or less. Even raw plant foods, say, an apple, take some work to digest and assimilate. It’s not a pure form of energy you can use immediately. Your system needs to work to unlock the energy from the matter, that is an apple. Not much cleanup work but still there are work to be done.
Breatharianism
Some people, including some raw food enthusiasts, are starting to notice that they can actually live on much less foods than the conventional nutritional health recommends. They are developing to be a new kind of human, so to say. Their system is growing so clean that they are starting to assimilate the energy of Light.
They may not be a 100% breatharian yet, but they are getting part of their energy needs from Light, including sunlight. (I believe sunlight is part of the whole spectrum of light.) Breatharianism is a way to grow into lightbody, which is the ultimate goal of our physical and spiritual growth.
But, you may argue, “(fill in the name) is spiritual but (I heard) they eat meat.”
First of all, you don’t really know what they eat nor the level of their spiritual growth. For this reason, I’d rather not make a judgment about ANYTHING based on whether a well-known person is on one side of the dogma or not.
Second, notice this is not really a meat eaters vs vegetarians / vegans issue. The point is to clean up our system by eating less, and choosing cleaner foods for what we do still eat. Eating (raw) vegan diet is probably helpful, but I doubt if it’s the only way. If we still need nutrition from foods, then choose the best quality, least toxic foods, whether it is plant or animal based.
Where I am in the development
This topic of breatharianism and lightbody is something I am still researching and experimenting. I am not there yet — far from it. But I do know my body works according to a rule that is not quite covered by today’s nutritional science.
For example, I had a chicken sandwich the other day. Just a simple grilled chicken sandwich. I ate exactly the same other than this exception, the diet that kept me at steady body weight, or rather, that let me lose weight gradually. I gained half pound.
Nutritionally, this doesn’t make sense. In order to gain half a pound, we need about 1600 kcal. One pound = 454 grams.
Body fat contains about 20% water, so the real amount of fat in a pound of body fat is 363 grams.
1 gram of fat = 9 kcal.
363 gram of fat = 3267 kcal.
Therefore, to gain a pound of body fat, it takes 3267 kcal.
Half a pound, 1633 kcal.
A chicken sandwich cannot be 1633 kcal. What happened is my body had to dilute the toxins from the chicken sandwich (by the way, it was organic chicken) because it was too much to process at a time. So it retained a lot of water. I think my body does this because it is getting cleaner, therefore more sensitive to any incoming toxins.
Well, I guess I just uncovered the secret of weight management. When you eat, rather than just counting the calories, think about how easy and cleanly the food digest. Rather than trying to lose weight / body fat, think detox. ^_^
And how is my spirituality? Well, it’s hard to tell because I don’t have a point of comparison. I’ve been eating close to vegan for a year now. This chicken sandwich was pretty exceptional. And I don’t remember how my spirituality was more than a year ago. I think I was doing fine back then, but that is just my memory, not a fair comparison. And even if I am dong better, I don’t know if it’s the food or other spiritual practices I do that brought my growth.
What do you think about meat eating vs vegetarian / vegan discussion? How do you eat? Please share in the comment. Thank you. (Photo credit 1, 2, 3, 4)
Related posts:
I can only speak on two of your points while acknowledging the moral and spiritual arguments. Those aren’t my morals, but I can understand them.
On health – an often overlooked aspect of vitamin deficiency is that many vitamins are fat soluble. That means that our bodies can only absorb them in conjunction with fats. By reducing fat intake (and PUFAs don’t count), we become less able to absorb these vitamins. Thus, a good amount of saturated fat and monounsaturated fat is necessary in the diet. One of the biggest problems with the SAD is that it is too heavy on simple carbs that increase appetite, and too low on good fats that increase satiety.
On environmental impact – It is true that raising animals and processing meat releases various things into the atmosphere, but vegetation is not without its impact. Farming fruits and vegetables can cause the topsoil to become depleted of minerals that foster growth. Ultimately, these effects can lead to erosion problems and decreasing quality of produce. Vegetables are not without their chemical problems as well. While organic vegetables can be bought to avoid the chemical issue, the same is true of meat, where grass finished and free range animals offer a healthy alternative to mass-produced meat products.
I am not saying vegetarianism is wrong (my fiance is a veg. and wouldn’t stand for it), but I am pointing out that neither side of this debate is without its advantages and disadvantages. As for me, as an athlete, there is no way I could exist without meat. It simply is not an option.
Hi Akemi, an excellent, well-balanced article. Since you opened this up for discussion, I thought I’d add some notes from my own experience. As you know, I am not a vegetarian, which frankly shocks a lot of people I know, since many Buddhists are vegetarian and in the West people tend to think all are (and I don’t call myself Buddhist anymore, as you know, but that’s my background). Also, since I work with the chakras and energy issues, many assume I would be vegetarian from an energetic perspective. I was vegetarian for about 2 years in my twenties, and I did run into a lot of health challenges with it at the time. BUT, it was harder to be vegetarian then – there was less support and options for getting a well-rounded vegetarian diet.
For me though, the bigger issue was energetic. Since staying grounded has always been my challenge, the lack of meat made that harder. Proteins are associated with the first chakra of grounding, and the heaver the meat, the more grounding. Of course many people today have exactly the opposite problem – they eat so much meat that they are literally weighed down energetically by it (in addition to the toxin issue.) For myself, the happy medium has been to allow myself some chicken and fish, farmed in a sustainable, green fashion.
Coming from an energetic perspective, I still don’t quite get the breatharianism thing, and that might just be because of the nature of my energy body. Energy work, whether chakra-based or whatever, is all about the transmutation of energies. And food is just another form of energy, and digesting it another way of transmuting it, into physical energy our bodies can use. In Tantric Buddhism and some schools of magic and/or Native shamanism/sorcery, each type of food can be converted by a energy-conscious person into a different type of energy. So a selective consumption of meat in some spiritual traditions is actually part of spiritual training, as the ability to manifest and use certain energies in the world.
Of course, it all depends on what kind of ‘work’ someone is doing in this world, spiritually speaking. For some, their highest work may require breatharianism, but for others, they might need the kind of energy they can create through the transmutation of the energies of meat. Again, the idea is that everything, all food, is energy, and everything in the world is always being transmuted all the time, this is what life is. So doing that consciously is part of some spiritual traditions too. (Always with gratitude, of course.)
Not sure if that was at all clear, but just thought I’d offer another perspective!
.-= Lisa (mommymystic)´s last blog ..January Month in Review (& Blog Shares) =-.
I love how balanced this article is. I shared some of my personal pitfalls with a raw vegan diet in a previous post, and I come to the conclusion that extremes in diet are not good for many people. I dont like the assumption that many hard core vegans have that us omnivores eat nothing but huge amounts of factory farmed beef every day too.
I think some of other pitfalls of a vegetarian or vegan diet (in addition to what you mention) is the large amount of unfermented soy products some people consume. THAT is not healthy either for many reasons.
I still have my conflicts as to what the best diet is for me. There are so many foods I cant cannot eat already, that trying to eliminate others will be difficult. I did it in the past and that didnt go for me.
.-= Carla´s last blog ..Birthdays and Anniversaries =-.
Dave,
Thank you for your informative comment.
Good point about fat soluble vitamins. But why don’t PUFA count? Will you explain, please?
I understand farming plants has its impact on environment. The natural ecosystem is much more complex than what we expect in farming.
Many athletes are vegetarians or vegans. What do you think about this?
Lisa,
Ah, yes, chakra and foods! I love this topic.
I understand the first chakra is nourished by protein, but it doesn’t have to be animal protein, right? Like, maybe nuts and seeds can substitute? I am not saying everyone should use plant protein to nourish the first chakra, but I guess it’s a possibility.
Breatharianism is a mystery to me, too. I can feel, however, my energy needs fluctuate depending on the weather, season, my mood, etc. (My mood affects how much larger spectrum of Light I can take in. Any self-doubt or negativity hinders Light passage.)
I’m looking forward to finding more about it.
Carla,
I thought about you. I guess you weren’t getting sufficient protein when you were a vegetarian. You may have been eating enough protein, but bioavailability is another issue.
And thank you for pointing out the issue of soy.
Long, but worth reading —> Meat Eaters vs Vegetarians/Vegans – http://twurl.nl/s0efjz
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
RT @rawliving: Long, but worth reading —> Meat Eaters vs Vegetarians/Vegans – http://twurl.nl/s0efjz
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Akemi – just getting back to respond…I do absolutely believe that most people can get all the grounding energy they need from non-meat protein sources. I think for me I just realized that an issue with grounding may have been the reason I had difficulty being a vegetarian before, and that I will need to take those energy tendencies into account (in addition to nutrional ones) if I ever try it again (which I would like to.)
Also, it’s interesting, from an energetic perspective, the men I have known had less issues with transitioning to vegetarianism than the women I have known, and men’s energy bodies are traditionally considered ‘denser’ than women’s….
@Lisa – I too have noticed that men have an easier time transitioning to a vegetarian/vegan diet than women. I always though it was because our bodies are more complex in some ways with our reproductive system (regardless if we are “using” it or not) and that certain vegetarian foods are not good for our system (ie. unfermented soy).
I’ve always been interested in vegan diets and fitness. Even on my experimental vegan days where I try to do my normal workouts and live on a vegan diet, I always feel weak at the end of the day or the next day if I try to have a meatless/fishless day. I envy those guys who can live on fruit and lift weights! Don’t think I’ve known any female fitness gurus who are vegans.
.-= Carla´s last blog ..My Love of Links 2010 – Vol II =-.
Lisa and Carla,
I agree men seem to have easier time changing their diet. Not just vegetarian / vegan diet — I’m currently working to completely shake of all sugar / sweeteners from my diet, and it’s so damn hard. (And I successfully eliminated all caffein from my diet last year.) I did some research and some say female hormones are more unstable and this can affect the way we feel hunger and cravings. Haven’t found anything that says vegetarian conversion is harder for women, but it’s very possible!
Meat Eaters vs Vegetarians / Vegans http://bit.ly/9qqzWx
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Vegetarians!! RT @LEANESY Meat Eaters vs Vegetarians / Vegans http://bit.ly/9qqzWx
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I was vegan for a year, and feeling very spiritual, but I also felt, ungrounded, undernourished always cold, and always hungry!
It was not a very satisfying way to live. My guides tell me comfort is important in spiritual development.
Nowadays, I eat meat maybe once a week in the form of Local, Grassfed beef from cows who are not treated poorly and eating the renewable resources of grass.
I also eat Eggs from organically fed free range chickens and ducks my roomates and I keep in our backyard, who are kept very happy.
I have no qualms about this. Its hard to draw a line between life we can kill and life we can’t. To eat is to kill. This is life, love and the universe. ALL energy is borrowed. One day my body will be eaten by worms, which will grow plants and maybe get eaten by a bug that is eaten by a bird that dies and starts the cycle over again. Thats cool with me.
I also notice, that the more I eat local, organic, sustainble food, like the food on an organic farm i volunteer at, and the more i meditate and connect with cosmic energy and breathing I definitely can get by on eating a small amount of food. A salad or fruit and some bread will keep me going most days for most of the day and I feel light.
But eating some meat, sustainable and ethical meat has helped me spiritually develop by helping me to feel grounded, nourished and embedded in the cycle of life as a human being.
It is my hope that people can find balance in their diet and their relationship to the environment and other beings.
Much love
Zach
Hi Zach,
I cannot agree more. I eat mostly vegan, but if I feel hungry and want to eat some fish, such as wild caught salmon, or organic eggs, it’s fine with me. It’s not about dogma, I consult with my body.
You volunteer at an organic farm? That is so cool. As the weather warms up, I’m thinking of ways I can make some foods myself (in my townhouse setting – no backyard, just a deck). It’s nice you have a duck for the eggs — when I was a kid, my father did the same.
[...] also warns against the consumption of concentrated protein such as meat. To digest concentrated protein, the body has to work extra hard — taxing the liver, kidneys, [...]
I enjoyed reading this article as well as all of the comments. I went from being a meat eater to vegetarianism and now I am a vegan. I have been vegan for quite a while now. My main issue with not being able to eat meat is because I feel that by eating meat I am participating, in my way, in the murder of the sentient creature. I have become significantly more attuned to my spiritual self, and to my energy bodies since becoming vegan. I feel that the life force of plant foods, nuts, seeds and fruits are cleansing and nourishing. The nature of the energy coming from meats is saturated with fear (from the adrenalin produced by the animals at slaughter) and toxins. In response to some of the comments that discussed food and chakra, and protein, the root chakra can definitely be strengthened with root vegetables…carrots, beets, turnips, celeriac…
One of the most important things we all must do before eating is to bless our food and thank the earth for providing us with nourishment and to thank God for the gift of living this human experience.
namaste
@Dave: You didn’t mention monounsaturated fats and plant fats which are saturated (like coconut oil). These fats, if raw, are wonderful and can assist in absorbing those vitamins. Also, the resources needed in the production of meat products is staggering. For instance, just to produce 1 pound of beef, the water used is the same amount if a person took a 5-min. shower FOR ONE YEAR! This is not sustainable and the agony/negative energy is so great, too. Go vedge!
Dear Akemi, thank you for your balanced article. It is so refreshing because it informs without judging.
There is a cookbook written in the 70′s called “Diet for a Small Planet”. Have you or anyone on this forum heard of it? I like it because it considers many of the questions you pose regarding combining the right foods and quantities in order to get the aminoacids needed for plant protein. Although dairy is used in many of the recipes, there is a reliance on beans, rice and seeds. I recommend this book as I feel it has good and nutritious recipes for vegetarians.
I haven’t read the book, but I think the combination of whole grains and beans is a great way to have perfect protein. Most grains are short on lysine, one of the essential amino acid. Beans, along with pseudo grains like amaranth and some seeds like pumpkin seeds are high on lysine. This is how many people on earth have been surviving historically — rice and soy for the Asians, rice and dal for the Indians, corns and beans for the native americans.
[...] reading about healthy eating and I’ve written several articles on the topic, such as this and this, about vegetarian vs meat eating [...]
Thanks for the thought-provoking article and ensuing comments. I was vegetarian for 12 years, became very ill and then became a born-again carnivore. Now I’m backing off on the meat again, but I must take iron, b-vitamins,etc. to abate the anemia and other health problems. (And I’m betting that this is one reason it’s easier for men to stop eating meat—they don’t bleed every month!) Originally I went veggie for environmental/socio-political reasons. I switched back for my health—during that time, organic and free-range, grass-fed meat became more readily available. Still, I grapple with the question of whether I’m putting low-vibration food in me (e.g. due to the animal’s fear).
Call me selfish, but I guess the political motivation has taken a back-seat as the years go by…. Interestingly, naturopathic doctors advised me to eat meat for anemia, and years later when I was re-tested, though I was eating plenty of meat my protein levels were low so it was a case of mal-absorption. Nutrition sure is complicated stuff. I also strongly believe that all physical symptoms have their origins in the emotional/energetic levels of our beings, so I often oscillate in my mind about the importance of nutrition. Well, it’s important for sure, but whether changing it alone can successfully alleviate the physical problem is the question on my mind. I also think that it’s possible that when you are young and resilient, you can make a dietary change based on politics or beliefs, and not really be in tune with your body, and you can go quite a ways before you realize what a toll it’s taken on your systems. This is merely anecdotal of course, but I know zealous vegans who are quite young and I know older people who used to be vegan but changed because of health reasons.
In the big picture, I think it would be ideal to thrive on less food, and on food with the lowest impact (i.e. raw vegan). Yet, so many of us are not there, for whatever reason, and I think the comment about comfort being important is very valid. We should not rail against each other for our choices per se, but convert that zealous energy into raising consciousness—working out of love, not resistance. Personally, I find that without animal protein, I become very tired, and this impedes my ability to meditate regularly and to serve in the world. I’m much more useful to others if I have energy! Hopefully someday this will not require meat. The other thing is that—and this might sound too far “out there” for some of you—it seems entirely likely that we have the power to alter the vibration of our food before eating it, just as we have latent untapped power to do incredible things in the world, though we are generally unaware of it at this time….
Well, tuning in to one’s own body’s needs, and one’s soul, seems like the best navigational system there is. Sharing ideas with others like this is very helpful for finding one’s own way. Thanks all!
DDR,
I hear you. It’s interesting you were still low on protein after eating meat for a while. I think mal absorption is a lot more common than we think.
I really don’t have anything against meat eating. I don’t think it affects our energy body, either. The only reason I stay away from meat most of the time is it is so stimulating. That’s a term we use in yin-yang. Do you get thirsty after eating meat? Do you crave cold drinks or ice cream when you eat meat? These are just some indications the body is losing its balance because meat is so warming and stimulating. (too much yang) Eggs are much easier to deal with.
Anyhow, take care of yourself!
I have always had a bit of a different view on this type of topic. To me each person requires something completely different. So the real aspect to all of this for me is to truely listen to your body and it will tell you what it needs for nutrition at any given time.
Now as far as veg vs. meat. I think it is all in how the food is raised. I think industrialy raised veggies are no different than industrialy raised meat. It is equally as inhuman, unhealthy, and filled with poisons. It is all about buying as much local food as possible (or raising your own). This way you know the plants and animals are raised in a healthy way. You can stop by the farm and make sure the animals are happy with plenty of space to move about and such.
No one way of eating is better than another, because everyone needs something different. But, most people do not listen to their bodies. They do not feel what is best for their way of life.
And with all the fast food, or highly processed foods we are not eating “real” food. This is often where most of our troubles come from. When we respect ourselves by putting good food in, we automatically respect the food, because we choose food that is raised in a healthy manner. It is always good to take some time and prepare your own meals from good fresh food.
So my belief has come down to: Listen to your body, and eat good fresh food as much as possible!
Stacey,
You are so right. And I checked your food blog — nice!
Yes, many of us would rather listen to our mind (which just broadcast bits and pieces of knowledge it has gathered) than to our body. I guess we haven’t been taught how to listen to our body. And also, we don’t trust our body.
Individual differences are huge. No professional can really tell you what is good for you. And the need changes, too.
I’m big on local foods, too. You might enjoy this post on it. It’s good for world peace, too.
http://reallifespirituality.com/local-food/
Hi everyone – great page here…
I have been a vegan for a little over a year now and turned vegan after I visited http://meat.org .. was turned vegan within one viewing of “Chew on This”…
However going raw is more of a effort and you really have to focus on your diet 24/7/365 and have a mate that will share your new walk of life with passion as Raw is a real job in the corporate world.
Before meat.org what really got me going on becoming vegan was this amazing site.
http://thrivein30.com
Vega is amazing and does address all the nutritional needs to get you on the fast track quick.
since mid 2009 I have lost 65 pounds and you better believe I am thriving!
- here all i was doing is searching for soul ascension as I was compulsively dragged by my new soul to the rocks and gems store for raw Labradorite and Clear Quartz… I was drawn to place three Labradorite grouped together by two Clear Quartz at the base of my neck. Within minutes there was a burning sensation beyond belief… working i guess….
I have booked marked this entire site!
I have to eat meat unfortunately….. because I love animals so much…. though if only they were treated with love and respect for their life giving service as “food” at this time. …… Because I was ill for most of my life and I am now 50, I have poor digestion…. I was interefered with on many levels by darkness, my body pretty much wouldn’t digest anything and I think only good DNA and the help from many practioners kept this body going. I was morbidly obese too, one time tipping the scales at 400 lbs. Yet I could never help myself. It was not till the input/leaching from darkness was removed about 3 years ago I found that I began to physically change and all of my bodies change and how I felt. I had also had the bariatric surgery about 11 years ago. Only now is my body accepting and slowly with help digesting vitamins and supplements I have begun to lose weight without making any effort. My tastebuds have changed. It is like the surgery has kicked in all these years later.
The bottom line that I have learned from all my trials and tribulations is this: Don’t knock yourself out because you can create a certain picture such as “living your best life”, “becoming a vegetarian”, becoming a channel, or that your life needs to look some certain way in order for you to be ok. I have learned one thing and that is when the idea comes from the mind it is typically the ego….. and the ego isn’t “bad” it just wants to help and fit in, it is when the desire comes from the HEART that it seems it is a divine thing, a divine intuition and desire that WILL manifest and you just flow along with it…… No one knows all the mysterious mysteries that make up the life each individual is living and so not everyone can fit the latest and newest image whether it is about abundance, health, love or whatever. There IS a purpose for those of us in this other school of experience, and it is not fun when it seems like we NEVER get to sit at the table with all those other people enjoying all the wonderful fruits because they can live their best life. So be kind to yourself. It isn’t easy and you are not alone though God knows that I’d like to meet the people that are like me, but they are busy thinking something is wrong with them because their life doesn’t look like the wonderful pictures and so they must be “worse” off than they thought. It is harder to embrace that you are just as much divine as everyone else even if you don’t look it, nor are you able to live it, and even if there is much “judgement” from ourselves and others. Some people think you can’t receive from the divine if you are NOT vegetarian! I can bring in and receive the loving energy just fine thank you, and my heart does hope that one day my body won’t require meat, but for now I am thankful I am feeling better everyday.
im a vegetarian and i dont see myself eating flesh at any stage,im working on eating raw food and eventually becoming a .breatharian,we are different so,we must learn to understant our bodies.
[...] כל הויטמינים המינרלים וחומצות האמינו ניתן לקבל מהצומח! אם כי לעשות זאת נדרשת בריאות טובה ומקורות מזון [...]
i have the firm belief of eating based on blood type. The human body works differently dependant on genes…ect.
there is one thing I can agree on though, is no one needs sugar…
I don’t think there’s anything wrong eating meat in small portions, I think we need to eat mostly veggies but have a small amount of meat, this is ‘balance’.
When we see animals in the wild…some eat meat as well as plants.
The native americans were very intune with the earth, and still hunted for food viewing every piece of meat as a blessing and thanking the animal and not letting any part of the meat go to waste. they mainly survived off corn or various other crops, but they still ate meat too, not every one, but you still get what I mean.
like said, vegitarian lifestyle is not for everyone.
From many natural pathes and herbalists. I have spoken to, Its true being a vegitarian is right for some, but not for all.
and I have been instructed to eat meat, I am blood type O which requires a lot of iron.
I prefer savory foods..my boyfriend is also type O so here…we eat meat. Dose this mean I depriciate the animal?
I know in california they have a happy cow farm :3 where they give the cows backrubs and have these massive scrubbers the cows can rub against and only milk the cows when they are happy, and willing.
they actually have a platform, and the cow steps on it when the cow personally wishes to be milked.
if they don’t volunteer then they don’t get milked, no one forces them.
Unfortunately, because its such a slow process the price goes up, being 20 years old and a college student I honestly can barely afford my 700 dollar a month small studio in the middle of ghetto long beach … I still buy organically, but its costing us so much. I really dislike the government forcing it to be this way…
and fat is actually quite good for some or most people, its SUGAR and PROCESSED foods as well as WHOLE GRAINS that are the enemy.
wheat/soy products are hard to digest and can create severe kidney problems.
I’ve known a vegan who used to eat pretty much tofu and soy all the time,
later she realizes from consuming it so much she developed an allergy, she was also a phychic reader…
now this may not be the case for everyone… but im just giving an example.
Fat on the meat is good for our brains,we get heart attacks froms tress and negative energy, and abosrbing it from others…not from what we eat.
diabetes…that comes from what we eat, but not fat on meat : /
In Kobe japan, they also do their best to relax the cows and give them a healthy lifestyle.
I’m not saying there is anything wrong with being a vegan or vegitarian, but I don’t think this is ‘everyone’s’ path that would be the ego speaking.
I love animals, appreciate them, I care for them and i thank them, I think they should get to live full lives as well.
and akemi i have a friend who is similar to you, she eats fish from time to time (especially sushi lol)
but mostly vegitarian …not vegan though.
and i agree with zach = D i’ve met many people who just didn’t feel ‘right’
most veggies I know have converted to occaisionally eating seafood as a source of meat when they need it,
like three times a week at best.
once a week dosn’t cut it for me though, buuuuut
I eat like small bits of chicken breast in my salad, try to make it last as i can.
I snack on fruits/veggies throughout the day, and only eat a side of meat or portion at dinner time with the main part of the meal being veggies : 3
hey edith, I’m in a similar situation! input/leaching from darkness … how did you manage to free yourself? I am also over weight ,b ut I heard its a form of me ‘protecting myself’ and the more insecure and less grounded I feel the more weight I add, seriously, I’ve gone to the gym day in and day out..
somethings up.
but I don’t know how to clear this : [ I just wanna feel healthy and live my life happily, this keeps ‘weighing’ me down.
and lastly with stacey i agree.
have you ever heard of mansanto?
they control most of the worlds crops these days : [ chemically induce the seeds and mutated our natural food…
D: so its not just animals being tortured but the plants too…plants are just as alive as animals are! and die when we harvest them…just as animals do…
so see…we are constantly bringing new life and old life into our bodies…
yeah I agree. n___n people need to eat what their body tells them to, not be a vegan because someone told them they should be… not eat meat because the government says to..
@ DDR (I promise you this is my last post)
I just wanted to make one last point that…yes animals do feel fear, and I totally agree with you for putting low vibrational energy in the body.
but also take into consideration, that plants feel fear as well…just like everything that lives fear/love , yin / yang…
all living things feel both fear and love…
I have spoken with many trees and plants in my lifetime, and they are just as upset as the animals how humans neglect them when they pass on.
sorry….its just..growing up plants were very special friends to me, and I get a little ‘in the ego’ when I see others treating plants like they feel less then animals do.
I don’t mean any negative by it, I just wanted to make a simple point that all on this planet is equal and I would think it rather be silly to become a veg or a carnivore do to anything else other then what your body wants.
thats interesting about the cold craving after eating! I think I know someone that is sorta like that actually… i’ll have to ask him.