Brenda Davis RD's blog

A vegetarian is a person who does not consume animal flesh foods, including meat, poultry and fish. While vegetarians are generally divided into two categories – lacto-ovo vegetarians (those who consume milk and eggs) and vegans (those who eliminate all animal products), much diversity exists within each category. There are “junk food” vegetarians” who rely heavily on fast foods and processed foods, “organic vegetarians” who eat only organic whole foods, “raw vegetarians” who eat only 100% raw plant foods, and endless other variations.

1. You need meat to get enough protein.

Many people believe that meat is our best source of protein, and that without meat children will not grow properly, and adults will sacrifice strength and agility. The meat myth is so pervasive in our society that it is hardly questioned.

Type 2 diabetes is rising to epidemic proportions in North America. It is estimated that 8% of all North Americans have type 2 diabetes, and 15 to 25% have a pre-diabetes condition called metabolic syndrome. It is estimated that 80 to 97 percent of all type 2 diabetes is induced by overconsumption (leading to overweight) and insufficient physical activity. The risk of diabetes is estimated to be double for those who are moderately overweight (with a body mass index above 25), and triple for those who are obese (body mass index above 30).

Many factors affected my decision to become vegan, but none more compelling than my interaction with a friend back in 1989. This person was someone who you would never have imagined could inspire this sort of transformation. On a rather ordinary day, my friend called to see if he could drop by for coffee before he went out deer hunting. Although my response was positive, I immediately began trying to figure out how to make him feel as guilty as possible before he committed his heinous crime.