I have given a lot of thought lately to what is the best eating plan. The funny thing is, the two options I am leaning closest too couldn't be more opposite; the Paleo/Blueprint diet versus Vegetarianism. I have spent a good deal of time exploring the caveman diets, but have not yet invested equal time into the vegetarian lifestyle. There is compelling research to support both, and some significant drawbacks to adopting either lifestyle. Both call for a dependence on whole, natural, foods but I think when your back is up against the wall with regard to choices, you may lean more toward eating meats if you are a Paleo, and eat more carbohydrates if you are a vegetarian.
Having spent some time exploring the first option, I can say we have definitely suffered a downfall as a result of modern agriculture and our dependence on grains. I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that this switch in dietary habits has led to a number of obesity related conditions. The biggest concern I have about adopting the caveman lifestyle is the dependence on "modern day" meat. Sure thousands of years ago man ate a protein rich diet and thrived as a result of it, but he was out there hunting and killing with his spear, not chomping down packages of meat from factory farms that are higher in saturated fats and loaded with contaminants.
While I have a great respect for my vegetarian friends, I must say that while they preach the abundance of food choices in the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle, my observation is that many of them have replaced their meat with carbohydrates. This would be a disastrous change for someone who already has an insulin problem. While I have long admired their dedication and have for years wrestled with my own convictions about eating meat, I can not deny that the thought of never having a hamburger, steak, or piece of chicken again is pretty grueling.
I guess I am the type of person who likes to have variety in life, as well as my diet. Anytime a lifestyle or eating strategy becomes too restrictive, I become depressed! I don't support the notion that there is only one correct style of eating and anything outside of that will have disastrous effects. I also don't believe in fad diets as I have learned one too many times that today's trend will soon be next year's no-no. This is why I stick steadfastly to borrowing the best techniques and methods from every plan and blending them into my own personal eating strategy. There are so many types of fruit, vegetables, spices, and styles of cuisine out there, many of which have vitamin and anti-oxidant properties that are unique to that particular food, that why would anyone want to chose from such a restrictive palette in the name of good health?!?
Variety is the spice of life and you should consider the psychological and emotional affects certain restrictions can have on you. It may be too psychologically taxing for you to consume an animal for dinner, and for others it may be too psychologically taxing not to! While I can definitely afford to cut out some sticky buns and lasagna, the thought of NEVER having a sticky bun or lasagna again is not worth the anguish!
For right now my I am content with eating vegetarian meals once or twice a week. My deep love of wildlife combined with the impracticality of going on hunting trips every night, has left me okay with buying packaged meat when it is grass-fed beef or free-range chicken from a farmer I trust to be humane.
I am interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter, especially if you are a practicing vegetarian or Paleo eater. Tera, I thought I recalled you being a vegetarian when we first met?? Any thoughts about the lifestyle? I will be reporting on the Paleo diet as soon as I finish reading the book. I hope to then move on to Veganist, Eating Animals, and Farm Sanctuary. Should any of you beat me to it, please share.
"I'd rather be a few pounds heavier and enjoy life." - Drew Barrymore
Let me just say: When I was a veggie (for 3 years) I was the fattest I had ever been. Mostly because the easiest meals involved pasta - I ate a LOT of carbs, even veggie sandwiches, LOADED with carbs... I have done the paleo diet for the last two weeks (along with abundant exercise) and I've lost 10 lbs.... food for thought. In the words of those overly annoying Hillshire Farms commercials - GO MEAT!
ReplyDeleteI think I may agree with you Chrissy. What you describe is my fear with a veggie/vegan diet. While every book on the market and every expert on TV tries to convince you of the abundance of choices, I have watched many of my friends turn to pasta and all-around carb versions of the meat meal I'm eating. That's the last thing I need! My disgust with the way food is produced in this country coupled with my disgust for how animals are exploited for everything and anything has caused me to consider veganism, but giving up meat doesn't solve my problem nor America's problems. We need reform not abandonment! I will continue to be open to it, but for now I am embracing more of the Paleo principles. Congrats on the 10 pounds! I may need to make you a Tilly if you keep that up ;-)
ReplyDeleteI started just set really short term goals for myself (a principle I haven't tried before) Because then they are obtainable and when they are met, it makes me want to keep going with more. Before I was all about setting lofty goals and giving up because they seemed impossible. I just passed my second short termer which was not to gain any weight over the weekend, I gained 2 ounces, but to me that doesn't really count! Haha. Because weekends is ALWAYS where I mess up all the hard work. But if you keep getting grass fed meat and eggs, then you shouldn't have to worry about the occasional factory produced meat, etc. Because the majority of what you're eating wont be full of antibiotics and hormones. Also, Chris and I buy half a cow at a time and stick it in a box freezer. It's a HUGE help with cost.
ReplyDeleteAnother HUGE part of it is moderate to heavy heart rate exercise once a day. (I add cardio to that too because I'm a runner). I just do a body weight circuit in my bedroom while the kids are napping. Push-ups, weighted cruches, lunges, jump-step ups, mountain climbers, v-ups, burpees, etc. All stuff you don't even need to go to the gym for but works you out hard core. There is a whole list I can give you and you just pick 4-6 of the exercises a day so you're not doing the same thing daily.
IT WORKS! :-)
I agree with you on the goals and that's why at the beginning of this I said, as much as I would like to drop weight like "The Biggest Loser" I've been there- done that, and landed right back here. I am an average person with an above average weight problem trying to make real changes in an uncontrolled setting. I believe what you are doing works because I believe almost ANYTHING works! Losing 10 pounds is not my problem. Losing 10 pounds, keeping that 10 off, and then continuing to lose another 10, and another 10, without gaining any back is my area of difficulty. That's a problem no amount of crunches is gonna fix! PRAY FOR ME!!! LOL
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