Eat Like a Rabbit

I came across an interesting article in the Self Magazine from February 2009. Again, remember I read the magazines at the office during my lunch break. Because magazines travel to different consulting rooms and waiting rooms sometimes I am delayed in coming across interesting information.

The article entitled Veg Out! had some entertaining pictures and a scale of where some celebrities fall on the vegetarian spectrum. It also had some recipes, a list of reasons why you should not become a vegetarian (which I agreed with), and some health comparisons on the benefits and "pitfalls" of being a vegetarian.

Although it's a great read for new vegetarians who are learning details about their food choices, I was concerned about some of the facts in the article. Firstly, you will find few vegetarians who classify "flexitarians" as being vegetarian at all. In truth, it is not a definition about "not eating food without a face." It simply says meat is not a regular dietary item--either by choice or for another reason (economics, etc.). Some vegetarians get upset when meat-eaters claim to be vegetarians because meat isn't a daily part of their menu.

Another huge item for debate is the section on pitfalls of being vegetarians. The comments on the online posting of the article certainly reflect this. But, I have some more wood to add to the fire. When I was four months pregnant and slightly anemic, my midwife didn't recommend that I run out and eat more red meat. Instead, she recommended spinach and raisins. Is it because she remembered I am a vegetarian? I doubt it because she only had about two seconds to review my blood work as she didn't get a copy of it until she was in the room with me. You think she had a good idea that the nutrients in raisins and spinach would help my blood cells more than eating a steak?

Next, I have already posted a simple one-day review of how easy it is to get enough protein in our diet, and I recognize that many people misunderstand how much they need in their diet. Perhaps Self should do a follow up article on how to maintain healthy levels of protein to prevent the "pitfalls" of getting too much.

The last complaint I will focus on is the reference to the fact that less calcium from a life without dairy products can cause osteoporosis. Well, guess what. My nutrition class taught me that risk-factors for osteoporosis are being female, being white, hereditary links, being thin. . .but never talked about being vegan! In fact, a very wise nurse pointed out to my mom when she was diagnosed with osteoporosis after having two glasses of cow's milk a day all her life that she needed to build up her muscles in order to strengthen her bones. (She recommended putting full water bottles in a backpack and carrying it on her walks.) Again, Self would do good to do another focus article on this topic as well.

I feel bad for tearing up this article because I don't like to fight people into being vegetarian. However, as is evident by the questions I get from patients, vegetarianism is still quite a new idea. I think that it's important to get the facts straight so you don't scare people off. On the positive side, for some unusual recipes and a mostly positive (although occasionally inaccurate) article about vegetarianism, take a look. You just might learn something new and may become more proud of all the steps you are taking to improve your health.

Would you like to know what we're eating next?