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Posts Tagged ‘Healthy Lifestyle’

The Form of Vegetarianism Called Fruitarianism

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

There are other forms of vegetarianism that are not as commonly found throughout society, and one of these forms is known as fruitarianism. As you mayhave guessed, fruitarianists strive towards diets that consist completely of fruits of plants and trees. In this article, we’ll discover some of the commonalities of fruitarianism so that you might gain a better understanding of what this lesser-known practice is all about.

The fruitarian diet can really differ depending upon the individual that is undergoing the practice. Some feel that making the majority of their meals, or fifty percent or more of their meals, consistent of fruits. Others feel that the definition of a fruit may include such foods such as nuts, grains, or bell peppers. Some argue that a true fruitarian will only eat fruits that will naturally fall off of the plant, so that they may avoid killing the plant by harvesting the fruit.

As far as motivation for the diet, many of the individuals that follow a fruitarian diet do so due to religious reasons; they may employ a holistic approach to medicine and argue that a fundamentalist lifestyle should be sought after, stating that Adam and Eve ate fruit in order to set a good example. Others simply feel that they want to avoid destroying life as much as possible, treading lightly on the earth and being gentle to both plant and animal life.

The diet is certainly not without its critics. The United States National Institute of Health has concluded that a fruitarian is not able to attain the proper levels of vitamin B12 in their diet. This can be damaging to their health. Also, the lack of protein that the diet promotes can be problematic in terms of an individual?s level of health. If you are contemplating a frutarian diet and are concerned about how the diet can be sustainable and maintain your level of health, you may want to thnk about supplementing your diet with protein, vitamin B12, and several other key nutrients that you are unable to obtain eating fruit alone.

The fruitarian diet can be very difficult to maintain. If you find yourself agreeing with the fundamentals of the diet, you may want to contemplate trying to ease into frutarianism by consuming more fruit and gradually decreasing your consumption of animal products. In the end, you may find that the slow and steady path towards a fruitarian diet can be ultimately more successful than trying to immediately switch your diet up. Also, be sure to do plenty of investigation concerning the types of supplementation you will need in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The Vegan Diet and Lifestyle

Monday, July 12th, 2010

The vegan diet consists mainly of all organic plant material. Being a vegan is more than a way of eating, it is also a lifestyle. Vegans do not consume anything with animal products in it. They also don’t use anything that could be made from animals, including clothes, beverages and cosmetics. A vegetarian is a slightly less strict form of veganism. A vegetarian will use products with animal products, and while they will consume products like eggs, milk and cheese, they stay away from meat. Some vegetarians only refrain from eating red meat, but will eat poultry or fish. It is a much less strict lifestyle than the vegan.

While the vegan diet lacks in many important vitamins and nutrients, it is still a relatively healthy lifestyle if maintained properly. Vegans who properly plan and execute their diets can satisfy essential nutrient needs. Meats contain many vitamins that the body needs to survive, but there are other options. Lower calcium levels, lack of vitamins like B & D and iodine are big concerns for vegans. The best way to replace these essential nutrients is to take a supplement. But not all supplements are the same as some contain animal byproducts. To avoid this, it is important to read the label and do your homework so you know what you are consuming.

In case studies with adolescents, it has been shown that many vegan adolescents use the diet as a way to mask an eating disorder. However, on the other hand, a vegan diet does not lead to eating disorders. As a parent it is important to know why your child has chosen this lifestyle. Be involved and know what they are eating, as well as what they aren’t. Raw veganism and frutarianism are similar in concept to veganism. Raw veganism is a diet consisting of raw fruits and vegetables. It is basically everything a vegan eats, but without cooking the product over one hundred eighteen degrees Fahrenheit. Raw nuts, vegetables, fruits, herbs and fruit juices are high on the list of foods to eat. Uncooked, they retain much of their essential nutrients. The vegan who consumes at least seventy-five percent raw vegan food is considered a raw vegan.

The vegan diet, unlike the other, smaller niche diets, has been found to have beneficial health qualities if it is properly followed. In fact, many countries outside the United States already consume high quantities of these products, along with less meats, if any meat at all. Tofu, seitan and tempeh are all commonly used in most East Asian diets. Cows milk as we know it is being readily replaced by soymilk and in place of eggs, applesauce is being implemented into cooking as a starch in foods. For those who are prepared to follow the strict vegan low fat diet and who properly supplement the missing vitamins and minerals that meat contains, they will find a satisfying and healthy lifestyle.