Plant based Nutrition

Now more than ever people are wondering whats a healthy diet. I dont like the term diet because it has a "temporary" meaning to it. Staying fit and healthy doesnt mean dieting from time to time. Its about following a dietary pattern, a way of thinking when it comes to food. Food is our Medicine and Medicine should be our Food, very wise words ones said by Aristotle. Food has a very powerful role in our every day health. Food is what gives us the vital energy for survival, it is the fire we need to let our bodies function properly. People may be confused of what is healthy and whats just a food fad.

In my personal opinion, I promote Plant based nutrition. A vegetarian lifestyle helps me stay in tune with Nature. To create life one must consume life. While keeping a Vegetarian lifestyle Im not promoting suffering to animals, the planet and myself. A vegetarian/vegan saves an average 100 lives a year, and that is not to count world hunger. If we focus the growth of corn for human consumption instead of animal consumption we can spare world hunger. The over production of meat and animal by-products is giving our planet earth a strong blow. The amount of CO2 being produced by cars at this instant is half as much as what a factory farm produces in the raising and processing of meat and animal by-products.

Now from a Medical point of view. Animal products are high in Cholesterol and Saturated Fats. They contain, growth hormones, antibiotics, and chemicals which aren't regularly found in our food supply. Since birth animals are treated with many foreign substances which when consumed by humans are passed on from mother to son/daughter. In nutritional values, meat is mostly formed of proteins, fats, B-Vitamins, Iron, and Magnesium. All of which can be found in Plant Form. Vegans who don't consume any animal products can find all of these nutrients in Nuts, Roots and Dietary Supplements like Brewer's Yeast which is packed with Protein and B-Vitamins.

We are what we eat! Many people believe Vegetarians will become weak and sick. This is purely not true, the American Dietetic Association has made numerous articles demonstrating the health benefits of a well planned Vegan and Vegetarian lifestyle. After all, a Mighty and Powerful Ox, gets all his strength from GRASS !!!

So go out there and taste the botanical rainbow. All packed with Vital Nutrients and life giving energies that will replenish and help you live a fulfilling life.

Namaste. -_-

Organics vs "Ordinary" Fruits and Vegetables

Manny concerned parents and grandparents come running to the Medical Office (Integrative General Medicine)where I work at talking about Organic products and there safety against regularly produced vegetables and fruits. As a Biomedical Biologist we are told that pesticides have little to no effect on the human body considering that we wash our fruits and vegetables. There is truth to this fact. Buying regularly grown fruits and vegetables are safe enough to eat as long as you take the time to wash them thoroughly and that doesn't mean simply rinsing it, but actually scrubbing it ! If your still worried about pesticides you may simply buy organics which are always the best choice or peel of the skins of non organic produce.

Always remember to eat a bunch of fruits and vegetables daily because they are truly the nutritious part of any meal ! Try a Meatless Monday in where you only eat vegetarian foods for a whole day ! Adopting this nutritious lifestyle helps you lower your chances of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and renal problems.

So go out and take a bit off nature !!! In a good eco friendly kind of a way ;)