I’ve been a Vegan for a while now and I must confess: The other day I had a craving for bacon-a horrific flashback to four decades of gross digestive problems.
Gone is the irritable bowel syndrome and in the past year I have lost 30 pounds. By following the Vegan diet, I am healthier than ever before in my life.
But it is not easy, nor was it simple to do.
I am naturally a skeptic and before I began this major diet I did my research because I grew up in a Midwest household who relished soul food-high-fat and high-salt ticking time bombs. As a young adult, I was alarmed when both my maternal grandparents died of complications of atherosclerosis. My own mother died in 2001 from gallbladder stones’ complications.
Nevertheless, I was a greasy, fried food “addict.”
Vegetables and fruits were not foreign to me because while in college in the early 70’s, I was briefly a vegetarian but mainly ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Then after graduation and heading for a divorce, I reverted to my high-fat-salt-sugary junk food to combat the stress.
According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), “vegan diets are the healthiest of all, reducing risk of a broad range of health concerns including cancer, obesity, diabetes and heart disease.” Since 1991, PCRM has promoted the four food groups-fruits, grains, vegetables and legumes-Kerri K. Saunders, PhD. writes in her book “The Vegan Diet as Chronic Disease Prevention.”
“The typical western diet, high in animal fat and protein and lacking in fiber, is associated with increased risk of cancer and heart disease,” writes Saunders, who holds a doctorate in Natural Health.
PCRM experts also describe the vegan diet as “fat free, high in fiber and it builds a stronger immune system.” I was persuaded completely when experts explained that there are three indoctrinated “misconceptions” about the western diet: You have to eat meat to get protein, starches are fattening, and one can only get calcium from cow’s milk-all false.
So, first I cleaned out my ailing system with herbs and water for 10 days to get rid of built up toxins and wastes. I spent a lot of time in the bathroom. Then I began eating fruits and vegetables for two more weeks before I introduced grains and legumes. No kidding I feel lighter, have way more energy and I look younger.
Yet, it is a challenge to stay on this diet since my husband is a major carnivore. The smell of meat cooking-even bacon-now makes my stomach turn.
The PCRM site will send you a free Vegetarian Starter Kit: http://www.pcrm.org/
The Vegan Diet as Chronic Disease Prevention by Kerrie K. Saunders, Ph.D. 2003 Lantern Books, NY
For my cleanse I used herbs from http://www.drsebiproducts.com/
Famous Vegans:
Former President Bill Clinton
Ozzy Osbourne
Ellen DeGeneres
Deepak Chopra
Andre 3000
Cesar Chavez
Erykah Badu
Coretta Scott King
Prince
Brad Pit
Albert Einstein
Forest Whitaker
Source: http://www.happycow.net/famous_vegetarians.html