Health videos that are PRO-VEGAN!

First of all, I wanted to share with everyone something I saw for the first time at Trader Joe's yesterday. I was walking down the freezer aisle grabbing bags of veggies and fruit when suddenly a new small bag seemed to glint in the fluorescent light. The Trader Joe's near my house now carries frozen pomegranate seeds! (If you have already seen these and they are not a big deal to you... feel free to skip ahead with my apologies....) I had read that they had existed but I hadn't yet had the opportunity to buy them at any of my local stores. They are already cleaned, separated and ready to use. I threw some in my salad today and it was wonderful, tasty and hassle free! Tomorrow I think I am going to try some in my soy yogurt.

Now the real reason for my post is this: Recently someone emailed me the link to a series of the most interesting you-tube videos ever. These are a summary of many of the year's medical and nutritional findings. They are actually very interesting AND pro-vegan. I won't post EVERY video, just a few. If you want to watch the entire series, please check them all out on youtube.

Here is the first one just so you can get the set up:



Skipping ahead, it seems vegans are healthier than the average American:



Also it seems veganism can prevent and improve diabetes!



I am not going to post the entire series but I encourage you to check it out! To me this was pretty exciting news since these studies were from recognized groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the AMA. It is always nice to have some real data stashed away for when people tell me that soy will cause memory loss or that I will get diabetes from all of the carbs in a vegan diet!

Ways to sneak extra nutrition into your diet

If you read any magazine or newspaper today you are likely to come across the idea of "superfoods", i.e. foods so nutritious that their addition will suddenly improve your entire diet, even if you eat McDonald's for the other meals of your day. It seems like new lists are coming out every day but the vegan lists typically include vegetables, fruits, a source of omega 3's and a specific whole grain.

I am not sure that I buy into the whole idea that you must eat these exact foods (in prescribed "doses") daily or else your arm will fall off but I do believe that little changes in your eating habits can reap big nutritional rewards. Based on this idea I am always looking for little nutritional tweaks to improve my meals and increase my actual nourishment from many of my favorite foods. Here are a few easy "tweaks".

• Oatmeal: This is one of the healthiest breakfasts you can eat IF you don't pack it full of sugar... So skip the liberal doses of sugar and go for a bowl of traditional (PLAIN) oatmeal jazzed up with really fresh fruit, some walnuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon. If you must have some sweetner opt for a less processed natural sweetener like maple syrup or agave syrup and then use it sparingly! I have found that when I use truly fresh fruit (think like nearly brown bananas) I don't need sugar at all. Besides helping to drastically cutting back on processed sugar, the fruit provides additional fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. The walnuts also provide Omega 3's and more antioxidants than even blueberries.

• Toast: A breakfast staple, make sure that it is whole grain. I mean truly whole grain. The first ingredient should be "Whole wheat (or spelt or rye....) flour" anything else (enriched wheat flour etc...) and it isn't any better for you than a muffin that has been tinted brown. Next top it with something that ups your nutritional content like a natural (non-hydrogenated) peanut butter, hummus or even smashed avocados. While these savory toppings may have a nearly as many calories as your vegan margarine, they also provide fiber, healthy fats, protein and lots of other good things!

• Smoothie: A good homemade smoothie can be a great breakfast. Some fruit, some water and a blender and you are good to go. To increase the goodness consider making it a green smoothie by adding spinach or collard leaves or throwing in a tablespoon of ground flax seeds, a valuable source of Omega 3 fatty acids!

• Coffee: I love coffee as much as nearly anyone... To improve my morning cup of joe, I always have it lightened with a little fortified soy milk. By choosing my coffee this way, I am making sure that I am getting extra vitamins and minerals (especially the much needed B12!!!) as well as a little protein boost in the morning, which can help me feel full until lunch.

• Sandwiches: Always make them on whole grain bread! Also I tend to eat a salad on top of my sandwhich. This is one of the few things that I think subway got right... A sandwich is great with red peppers, cucumber and even thin carrot slices in addition to that lettuce.

• Pastas: If possible, I substitute whole grain pasta. Also you can sneak baby spinach in while the pasta is draining. The heat from the pasta wilts it a bit before you add the sauce and you hardly notice it... but your body WILL notice the nutritional kick!

• Soups & Salads: These are my best frieds at lunch! I always overload them with fresh veggies and then fill up!

• Dessert: If you want something sweet during the day, go for fruit. It is both delicious and nutritious! Many varieties such as persimmons, clementines and bananas are naturally sweet and can satisfy any sweet tooth!

• Snack time: Eat a small handful (like 1/8 cup) of raisins or nuts. Although these foods are higher in calories they also provide helthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals!

How do you sneak extra nutrition into your diet?

How's this for a New Year's resolution... Go Vegan in 2010!

Good morning and welcome to 2010! Yes I realize that is is nearly noon and I am saying "good morning" but even vegans can suffer from excessive consumption and New Year's Eve seems like the perfect night to do just that..... until the morning after. Last night was a blast; there was great food, good champagne.... I was in such high spirits I even enjoyed losing two rounds of cards! However this morning I must pay the piper....I am a little sleepy and more than a little slow.

Mornings after aside, did you know that, in general, vegans are one of the more healthy segments of society? In general vegans have healthier BMI's, cholesterol levels and blood pressures. There are many books available by REAL doctors (as opposed to non-accredited internet bloggers such as myself) that show how a low fat vegan diet can prevent or even reverse various ailments such as heart disease or Type II diabetes. For more information about this check out books and websites by Dr. Fuhrman or Dr. Esselstyn.

Speaking from personal experience, I have always been fairly healthy. However, since becoming a vegan my BMI has dropped into a much healthier range (resulting in a gradual drop of 3 pants sizes!), my blood pressure is 90/60 and my cholesterol is equally great. My doctor has been very happy and I have experienced greater energy and health. I honestly can say I feel better than I ever have in the past, including when I was eating a low fat, healthy omnivorous diet.

However, I must stress that when I went vegan I made the decision by myself and was not forced into the decision by a spouse or some pushy website. I took the time to really think it through and be sure of what I was doing. Major dietary changes are an intensely personal decision and should not be made without thought. Don't fool yourself, becoming a vegan will effect those around you even if you never sit down to eat with them. By being a vegan you will cause people to question their own eating habits, which in turn will cause them to question yours. Becoming a vegan was a great and positive decision for me and actually was good for my family too, even though none of them have become vegans. It is my personal belief that it would be a great decision for most people, but only you can decide what is best for you.

If you are considering going vegan, it is not as simple as pushing the meat and dairy off your plate and eating what's left (Does rice, broccoli and a parsley garnish really sound good?). In fact, that is a definite way to not succeed as a vegan. Transitioning to a vegan diet requires some initial support and I have that for you. The Physician's Commitee for Responsible Medicine is right here to hold your hand with their 21-day Vegan kickstart Program.

On their website you can find a meal plan, nutritional support, tips from famous celebrities and even a forum for finding support with other people doing the same journey. If you have ever considered going vegan, go for it! Since this is the new year, there is no better time to make a commitment to a new and healthier you. Good luck on your journey!




(NOTE: I am not a doctor, this information is not designed to cure, diagnose or treat any disease. Please see your doctor before beginning any new medical plans or treatments)