David and I have recently made a decision.
For some of you, this decision might seem rather extreme, so I want to explain myself.
We have decided to drastically limit our animal-based food intake. This decision has been building up for a while, but it came to a culmination after we watched the documentary "Forks over Knives" the other night. The documentary followed a pair of medical doctors who spent their lives researching the effects of meat on our diet. And their findings are astounding. Really, you should just go watch the movie :)
On to our decision...
Now, those of you who know me, this may not be a big surprise, but for those who know David, well, just take your hand and gently close your jaw.
Now, I know that the issues of meat or no meat, locally grown or not, grass-fed or grain-fed, issues of HFCS and organic veggies..(the list goes on and on)....I know that these issues and many more have been debated for some time now. Both sides have very good arguments. Quite frankly, though, I think it boils down to one main point: America's demand for animal products is TOO HIGH. We need to take it down a notch (or 200 notches...or more) and realize that the amount of meat we eat is affecting our health and the world.
Here are our personal reasons why we have decided to eat a more plant-based, whole foods diet:
1. We value simplicity: We believe that simplicity is the best way to live. Not just in the objects we own, but the way we feed our bodies. Whole, unprocessed foods as well as plant-based foods are much simpler for our lives and our wallets!
2. We value our health: We Americans are paying for the way we eat. The top three killers in America are health-related issues, all of which are also diet-related. In 2009, Americans spent $147 BILLION dollars on obesity-related health care. Officials say that this generation is the first generation in history that will live shorter lives than their parents. Type 2 diabetes in children is running rampant. One in four Americans will get diabetes and hypertension in their lifetime. (all of these are from legit sites, I promise! If you want to know that reference, just ask) The list goes on and on.
The main culprit of diabetes is obesity and too much sugar intake. Most of our sugar comes from the 'unseen' sugar in processed foods.
Heart disease is the #1 killer in America. Hypertension and heart attacks are caused by too much saturated fat and
trans fat in the diet. Our main sources of these two fats are through animal products and hydrogenated oils (found in processed foods).
Countries where there is little meat consumption does not have these problems. WE EAT TOO MUCH MEAT! WE EAT TOO MUCH PROCESSED FOOD!...and it's killing us.
3. We value the environment: The EPA states that it takes 16 lbs of grain and 2,500 gal. of water to produce 1 lb of beef. There are many other issues here, and good arguments on both sides, so many that I don't even know where to begin. Let's just say, the amount of meat, especially beef, we are demanding isn't good for the environment...I'm not saying
all meat, I'm saying
our current demand.
4. We value serving the minority world: David and I strongly feel a calling from God to go out into the world and help the less privileged, the under loved, the malnourished, the helpless. We have seen starving people in the world, and we cannot consciously reach out one helping hand, while we are shoving a big bacon cheeseburger down our faces with the other. I don't think that our demand of animal products is causing world hunger...but I definitely don't think it's helping, either. Remember....16 lbs of grain to 1 lb of beef....
So those are our top reasons. You can disagree, that's fine. We aren't trying to guilt others into adopting this lifestyle, but I do strongly urge you to do your research. Don't be content to be ignorant...please. There are many sources out there. Many ways to gain information. Look at everything and judge for yourself.
I do believe that all Americans need to re-evaluate the way they make meals. Instead of basing a meal around a meat, and adding "side dishes", base your meal on whole grains and vegetables. View meat as an addition to a dish to add flavor, rather than the dish itself. And trust me, you
will get enough protein. Most Americans get PLENTY! The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of meat for an adult male is about 50 grams a day. For an adult woman its 45 grams. A 3-oz piece of beef (about the size of a
deck of cards) has 22 grams. One cup of beans has 16 grams. One cup of cheddar cheese has 33 grams! Most foods (animal or not) contain some amount of protein...and it adds up quickly. Most Americans get over the recommended amount, even vegetarians do!
I challenge you all to try eating less meat today...see how it goes!
