An anonymous poster stated that the elimination of animal proteins was unhealthy. I decided to do some research into the matter.
I Googled "Dietary Guidelines" and was directed to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' website. From there, I clicked on Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. I headed straight to the USDA Food Guide. Do you know what I discovered? Lean meat and beans are in the SAME food group! It gets better. I'm just going to do a direct quote: "Meat and beans - The following each count as 1 ounce-equivalent: 1 ounce lean meat, poultry, or fish; 1 egg; ¼ cup cooked dry beans or tofu; 1 Tbsp peanut butter; ½ ounce nuts or seeds."
Very interesting. It would appear that I have many, many options when it comes to replacing the nutrients found in meat. However, I'd like to hear what the rest of you have to say. Are there any nutritionists or dietitians lurking amongst my cyber-readers? Please speak up!
3 comments:
i knew it! go veggies and legumes!!!! and tofu...and nuts...
Same anonymous poster here (SmileyEH on 2p2 but I forgot my blogspot password).
The USDA food guide is a joke as far as modern nutritional thought is concerned. Upwards of 10 servings of grains/day is a sham (although it siphons a lot of money to American grain farmers!). Either way, you are right that the demands on your body are different from an olympic athlete, but in degree not kind.
You can definitely be healthy on a vegetarian diet (just please no 10 servings of pasta and bread a day), but you'd be better off with a diet full of meat, nuts, vegetables (and legumes!). That diet is super expensive though, unfortunately.
Hey SmileyEH,
I believe you know my roommate...he goes by the name "Geormiet" on 2p2.
I'll have to take your word that the USDA food guide is a joke although I don't see how this can be true as it underwent massive revision back in 2005. However, I'm no expert and will defer to you.
You didn't make much sense when you said "You can definitely be healthy on a vegetarian diet...but you'd be better off with a diet full of meat, nuts, vegetables and legumes." Doesn't a vegetarian diet include nuts, vegetables and legumes??!?!?!
And as far as price is concerned, I'm pretty sure I can eat a diet rich in veggies, legumes, and grains for a low price...and I'll be putting that to the test starting this Friday. Certainly, adding meat to the mix doesn't LOWER the cost, right?
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