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Articles and Information
But You Eat Fish... Don't You?
by D.A. Colvin
I've been on a plant-based diet for 10 years now and I'm still baffled at the challenges and debates I have with people who continue to buy the misinformation that a little meat or animal protein is important. When I was introduced to the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle I was told that I would come up against a great deal of resistance and challenges when trying to impart the information to others. At the time I was under the impression that it would be minor and couldn't possibly be a major problem in my life. After the countless challenges and debates and exchanges I've had with people I learned that I was incorrect. To this day I'm astonished at the bombardment and various sources of information that continue to confuse and mislead people, i.e. television commercials and magazine ads. If it weren't for people like Dr. Gary Null, Ph.D., Dr. Michael Klaper, M.D., and Dr. John McDougall, M.D. I'd lose all hope and believe that no one could possibly grasp this concept. However, there are plenty of physicians and doctors like them who are providing incredible information on the benefits of the plant-based diet.
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I have enjoyed countless benefits of being on a plant-based diet. I am astounded by the number of people who can't believe or accept the fact that giving up meat and dairy is the best thing they can do. There are many doctors and nutritionists who are convinced that each person does indeed have individual needs and that one person's dietary needs is entirely different from another. Granted, we are all unique, but when it comes to the way the human body functions everyone's heart needs the same type of nutrients and the brain requires the same type of vitamins. One example of this fact is the numerous books about individuality that have gained incredible popularity. Fortunately, Dr. Klaper, Dr. Null, and Dr. Bernard, and countless others have taken them to task and have shown many reasons why everyone should and can benefit from a complete plant-based diet.
One of the types of medicine that emphasizes the possibility of different needs is oriental medicine. I maintain a complete holistic Eastern way of life, but I don't agree with the mentality these people maintain about meat. For instance, many practitioners of holistic medicine believe that a little meat (any type) is good for health and are convinced that eliminating meat altogether isn't a good idea. Well, I'm the first one to go out on a limb and say that this is incorrect. There are thousands of vegetarians in the world who are very healthy, well adjusted, and have attained a high level of wellness. There are hundreds of natural living whole food vegans (like myself) who are some of the healthiest people in the world and haven't had to see a physician in many years. I may not "look" the picture of health because I don't have bulging muscles and I don't look "meaty", but I assure you that I'm the picture of health and don't have any physical complaints. A lot of people have accused me of being "skinny" or appearing very thin, but that's merely because they're accustomed to seeing men and women who either have a larger stronger build than mine or work out a lot and maintain an intense muscle mass. I'm all for working out, being fit and having a good exercise program, but there is such a thing as overkill and many people take it too far. In fact, lately I've seen a lot of commercials and advertisements for weight loss products. The truth is that most people are motivated by appearances, rather than good health.
In 10 years I haven't experienced poor health, had trouble concentrating, haven't had to visit a doctor, and I look and sound more than 10 years younger than my 31 years of age. I'm very proud of this fact because most people my age look 10 years older than I do and they're not able to hide their age. Maintaining a vegan way of life is very rewarding and has treated me well. One of the challenges I've endured is trying to help people understand that there is no need to eat fish or any kind of seafood. I often joke and say that I'm on a "seefood" diet. When I see food I eat it. One of the most common misconceptions is that fish is healthier and less dangerous than chicken, red meat, or any other meat. The truth is the contrary. One of the common reasons that struggling or "newbie" vegetarians gravitate toward fish is because they think fish has no cholesterol and will help them. This couldn't be further from the truth. Any creature, regardless of whether it has feathers, muscles, a tail, wings, ears, or teeth, has cholesterol. Although fish may not appear to have as much cholesterol as other meats, it doesn't make it any more sensible or safe. As Howard Lyman, the Mad Cowboy says, "you need as much additional cholesterol as a drowning man needs a glass of water".
By all practical intents and purposes I should have suffered some devastating health problem or should be shriveled up and lifeless. However the truth is that my plant-based diet has kept me strong, healthy, mentally alert, sharp, and I have a healthy heart and don't have any of the normal concerns and worries. Fish certainly does not contribute to high fiber intake. You will only find fiber in plant-based foods. One of the many reasons that people feel the need to eat fish or consume fish by-products, such as the oils, is the need for Omega-3. Omega-3 can be found in sufficient amounts in flax seeds and flaxseed oil. Many physicians who recommend the plant-based diet recommend that this be a regular part of the diet everyday. One of the negative effects that come from eating fish or by-products is the danger of contamination. With all the air, water, and soil pollution it is impossible to find any body of water on this earth that is pristine. One of the risks in eating fish is mercury and bacteria poisoning. If this sounds scary to you than you are paying attention. Why take the risk. As long as you consume a 100% complete natural whole food plant-based diet and have proper guidance with proper nutritional education there is very little possibility of becoming malnourished from abstaining from the consumption of all animal protein.
A lot of people suffer from the "fallen vegetarian/vegan syndrome". In the first couple of months or years of adapting a complete vegetarian diet many people fall prone to several problems. Once you've decided to acclimate yourself to this type of diet, don't go at it alone. Make sure you have plenty of the following ingredients. Always have plenty of good informative books by informed compassionate physicians who have your best interest at heart. Check out our site for more information at http://natural.koolhost.com. Don't follow the "popular" or "most common" doctors' advice. Gravitate toward those magazines that cater to vegetarianism and that stress the importance of this way of life. There is always a bounty of wonderful articles to provide priceless loving guidance during your transition, as well as wonderful mouth watering recipes. The most important ingredient is those you choose to spend your time with. It is so easy to allow yourself to fall under the influence of those who think they have your best interest at heart, but aren't very selfless.
During my first three or four years of being a vegetarian I suffered from this and it created a lot of pain in my life. Fortunately I wasn't alone. My husband was enduring it with me. We met a lot of people who were fickle and weren't entirely convinced that we were eating the best way. We learned that they felt threatened by our "new" way of life and they couldn't handle it. At first we didn't know what to do and were afraid to let go. Then, we learned the magic and blessing of change. Several special people in our life decided they didn't like us anymore. Before we knew it we met some wonderful people who were strong and committed to the vegetarian way of life and helped us to see that what we were doing was beautiful. They opened our eyes and for the first time we were able to see the confusion and negativity these people were trying to impose upon us. The best thing we could have done was to wish these people well and broaden our horizons. After attending a few Earthsave and Vegetarian Society pot lucks on Thanksgiving we felt more supported and loved than ever before. We learned that what we were dealing with was common. It is all too common for those in our life to feel threatened by something they don't understand or accept and try to convert us. This may sound silly, but I challenge you to stick to your guns and have some gumption. You'll be amazed at how quickly and easily your supposed closest friends will fall away and will lose interest in socializing with you. As enlightenment and awareness takes place a door closes and another opens. Just when you feel alone and think you'll have to endure this process by yourself there's always someone there to hold your hand and share the magic with you. There are thousands of strong determined vegetarians and vegans in the world who won't falter or fold no matter who tries to undermine their efforts. Look for a local vegetarian or vegan support group in your area. There are plenty online. With ample information and plenty of loving strong people in the world there's no reason to feel alone.
D.A. Colvin and her husband raise awareness about natural living and a
natural food plant-based diet. Her first novel, "Hawaiian Eyes, the Quest
For True Health," was published through Xlibris. She just finished her
second one, which was inspired by Julia Butterfly and is working on number
three.
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