What Do You Choose? Meat, Vegetarian Or Vegan?

There are so many warnings regarding the health concerns from eating certain types of foods too often. Every day, meat-eaters are turning into vegetarians, while vegetarians are reverting back to eating meat again, I've been so confused as to what's best to eat, and how often. 

But, I think I have found a solution to also help you with your dietary choices, and help you establish what food tolerances you may have. 

 I now consume less meat and fish, so can afford to buy quality, more expensive, fresh, organic cuts. Yet, extensive research suggests choosing 'organic products' does not always mean that they're any healthier, but I hope I'm making the 'least' UN-healthiest choice. 

Day 1 - Red Meat
Consuming red meats 'every day' is never recommended by many health professionals. Eating red meat 'any day' is also not recommended. Red meats, and especially processed meats can increase your risk of many health problems because it's high in 'saturated fat', which raises blood cholesterol, and the high levels of LDL cholesterol which increases the risk of heart disease, etc. However, red meat is a good source of protein and provides important vitamins and minerals such as iron and zinc. Choose any fresh lean prime cuts you prefer. Choose the most expensive cuts and always organic. Choosing organic may not always be the 'healthiest' choice to make, but at least its the 'least' unhealthiest. Each week, alternate from lamb cuts to beef and pork for variety. As the weeks go by, cut down red meat consumption to every two weeks.

The only way to know if you have a 'food intolerance' is by monitoring the food you eat, and any symptoms you have afterwards. If you do experience any kind of tummy ache, wind, bloating, diarrhoea, skin rashes and itching. Stop eating that particular food for a while, and then reintroduce it to your diet to see what difference it makes.

Day 2 - Vegan Day
After eating meat the day before, a vegan choice is best to cleanse the body. Vegans are not vegans for the fun of it. They choose not to consume meat, eggs, dairy products and all other animal-based foods for many reasons. Their concern for the animals welfare and the food industry as a whole - how animals and meat carcases are mistreated - the health concerns from eating meat which has been injected and pumped full of steroids, hormones and antibiotics - not wanting to eat anything that has a face. Shopping for vegan products will take longer than your usual shop, but it does gets easier.
Ensure you're getting all the right nutrients. Choose lots of different legumes, beans, seeds, vegetables, fruits, berries, red lentils, mushrooms and seaweed. I prefer and happier eating vegan sausages and meatballs.


The Vegan Society defines a vegan as "someone who consumes a plant-based diet avoiding all animal foods such as meat (including fish, shellfish and insects), dairy and honey - as well as products like leather and any tested on animals". Vegan Master plan - Guide to a healthy lifestyle.

Day 3 - Fish
Consuming fish every day has its health scares. Although they're full of essential nutrients and healthy omega-3 fatty acids which have great health benefits. However, many scientists have said, "consuming too much omega-3 can be harmful to the immune system". Too much oily fish can also be a danger to health. Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury, and some in high levels. Eating large amounts of these fish and shellfish can result in high levels of mercury in the body. The 'plastic' in our oceans 'and' inside fish that eats it is another new problem scientists have to contend with, and find out the long-term health problems are by us eating fish.
Other great sources of Omega 3 can be found in walnuts, chia seeds, soy-beans, tofu and algae. Plastic pollution is another reason not to consume fish too much, or at least limit the amount of exposure to these toxins. Eating fresh fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna are the healthiest choices. Followed by pre-packaged processed, tin and then battered and fried fish.

"I've been eating fish every day" I over-heard someone say, all pleased with herself. I thought, "well, its better than eating meat every day. 

Day 4 - White Meat
White meat is high in protein and contains less saturated (bad) fats and fewer calories, and lower cholesterol levels than red meat.White meat is a healthier choice to make. Nutritionist Doctor Laura said, "eating white meats (Chicken & Turkey) are low in fats and saturated fats and is a healthier lean meat to eat". However, too much protein is not good for anyone. The majority of food poisoning cases (including mine) are from people eating chicken. Choose turkey over chicken. The healthiest way to cook white meat is by poaching it, then boiled. Followed by roasting and frying.

Day 5 - Organs: Offal
Pound for pound, organs (offal) is the healthiest part of any animal. It's cheaper and easier to cook, but not necessarily the tastiest first choice to make. Offal is high in protein, richer in sodium, phosphorous, iron and folic acid. Contain higher levels of Vitamins A. B. B12 and C. As well as trace elements of Chromium, zinc and copper. Lamb, Chicken and Veal liver are my favourites, followed by kidneys. Other choices if you're brave enough are heart and brain. A nutritionist and Offal expert Carroll Lynch warns. "consuming high doses of offal can actually be quite toxic, so the general advice is, not to have it more than once a week," which is backed-up by other food experts.

Day 6 - Vegetarian
Brown (wholemeal) rice for fibre, vitamins and minerals. Whole grain pasta is high in vitamin B, copper, selenium, magnesium and manganese. Lentils are highly rated for health and nutritional content. Cook lentil soups or curry. Wholemeal pasta or rice dishes, veggie burgers and sausages are all on the menu.

The vegetarian Society defines a vegetarian a"someone who lives on a diet of grains, pulses, legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, fungi, algae, yeast and/or some other non-animal-based foods (e.g. salt) with, or without, dairy products, honey and/or eggs.  V3 Plant-based Fitness. Going vegetarian is one of the hottest trends right now. The V3 System is a mix of science and practical advice from top experts.

Day 7. Free-Day - Feast Or Fast
After eating a careful balanced alternative diet, this is a day to either choose your favourite dishes. Perhaps a well deserved restaurant visit, or take-away treat, or one of the previous days choices because you've deserved it. Or, fasting which has many health benefits, including weight loss, lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. I've yet to try fasting for myself.

Finally.
  • With the help of YouTube. Search for vegan and vegetarian dishes and recipes from around the world.
  • Get to know your body and digestive system. When I eat "unhealthily" I have more wind, and more tired after eating. The healthier I eat, the less problems I have. It's only going without certain food products will you know your body needs, and what not to eat. 
  • Observe how your body feels. Are you sleeping better? Are your stools more healthy? Do you feel and think better?
  • Choosing the right method of eating will help the environment in so many ways, as well as living a healthy and nutritional life. This new way of eating, I like to call a 'Freearian diet' - free to eat any and everything... in moderation.
About TOWP - theonlywayproductions.blogspot.co.uk - tinyurl.com/towpblog - 22. 12.17.


How to Cook & Eat Meat Safely, & What to Eat Instead. Meat has been getting a lot of bad press becoming the public health enemy number one. The World He

Avocados - Scientifically Proven To Protect The Body From Cancers - In Pictures How Avocados can keep your body healthy. scientists in California performed tests on...

Tomatoes: Scientifically Proven To Protect The Body From Cancers - In Pictures. How Tomatoes can help fight against Heart Disease, Cancers, Tumours and overall health...

No comments: