Calling All Vegetarians! Get Your Priorities Straight. (Part 2)

In my previous post, I used an anecdote about a recent staff function to illustrate a couple of issues I see with many vegetarians and vegans.

My first point was that they "make their diet into a religion and define their lives by it".  I've already elaborated on this and explained why I feel this is a sign of vegans losing their focus somewhere along the way.

My second point was that they "blindly follow the notion that nothing is healthy unless it's totally plant-derived; and vice versa, anything plant-derived is healthy."  That's what I want to talk about today.

The easiest way for me to discuss this issue is to start at the beginning.  So, I'll ask the question...  "Why eat a vegan or vegetarian diet?"

The obvious answer is, "because it's healthier than eating a meat- and dairy-based diet, of course!"  I'm pretty sure that's something we're all going to agree on.

Why it's healthier is a huge subject that spans about 130 pages of my book, so I'll suffice to say:  Our bodies are equipped to handle fresh fruits and vegetables most effectively, and these foods are loaded with the best macro- and micronutrients our body needs to experience excellent health.

Surprisingly, we've already reached the point where so many vegans start to lose their way.  I'm referring to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Most vegans focus hardcore on what they don't do (eating meat and dairy) and base their dietary principles around this.

But they're missing half the point.  The "what they do" part is just as important.  What I'm referring to is the food choices they do make.  The affirmative, not the negative.  When they remove meat and dairy from their diets, what do they replace those foods with?

Strangely, this often seems to come as an afterthought.  It's almost as though people believe it's not so important.  As long as it's not meat or dairy.  As long as it's vegan.

Hence, all the vegan "food products" that are basically "un-meat" or "un-dairy" products built in the image of the original.  For some bizarre reason, we're fashioning twisted replicas of meat and dairy, even though we know they're not good for us.

These processed things are loaded with salts, oils and other bad choices.  I never, ever eat this stuff.  It's not a good idea.  It's not healthy.

Just because a food isn't meat or dairy certainly doesn't qualify it as healthy.  Many vegan food products are worse for you than the original animal products they were intended to replace.

In fact, when faced with some sort of sodium and oil-loaded "veggie" burger or meat product, I'd rather just eat the real thing.  At least that's something somewhat natural, unlike a factory-produced "food product".

But that's not where I turn.  As I said, focusing solely on what you don't eat takes you down a crooked path.  What you also need to look at is what you do eat.  That's fresh, raw fruits and vegetables.  That's what should comprise the bulk of your diet.

Drop the meat and cheese... and grains too for that matter, and actively replace them with fruits and vegetables.  Then you'll be eating a truly healthy diet. 

Remember: Don't blindly think that eating "vegan" automatically means you're eating "healthy".  It often doesn't.  That only tells what you're not eating.  The second half of the deal is to make sure what you are eating is a bunch of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables.

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Real-World Raw Health and Nutrition:
The raw food diet made easy for your busy life!

Mike Dillman is a self-taught raw-vegan who began his journey nearly five years ago.   Having worked his way through all the challenges firsthand, he wants to save you from making the same mistakes yourself.  You can visit Mike's blog at Real-World-Raw.com to learn how easy it can be to make a raw-vegan diet fit your busy lifestyle.

If you want to experience the amazing health that comes with living the one truly natural diet, Mike's new book, "Real-World Raw: The Busy Person's Guide to the Raw-Vegan Diet" is just what you're looking for.  See for yourself. 
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