Dish of Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas occurs little to no insulin, or the body does not respond properly to insulin.   There are approximately 350 million people worldwide who have diabetes.  The result is 1 in 3 medicare dollars are spent treating the disease.   Those who are overweight are especially at risk for developing diabetes.  Two-thirds of the human population are overweight or obese.  Why has this disease gone from a mostly hereditary issue to a quite common occurrence?  In the next twenty five years, a third of all Americans will have diabetes.  How do we prevent it? Can it be prevented?

The answer is yes.  Diabetes can be prevented, though damage can take some time to undo.  A large concern is the amount of fatty streaks in ones’ arteries.  Most children under the age of 10 contain these fatty streaks, due to our poor diets.  A child diagnoses with diabetes can lose 20 years off their lifespan.  The biggest culprit of causing these streaks is animal products.  Animal products contain a large amount of saturated fat and cholesterol, which causes blockage in the arteries.  Sugar and carbs are not the cause of diabetes.  In fact, carbohydrate intake is inversely related to diabetes development.  In the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a study found that a single serving of processed meat each day increases the risk of diabetes by 51%.  Not only do animal products pose a long-term threat, they are imminently dangerous to our health.  Within minutes of eating dead animals, bacteria and toxins are released into the blood stream, creating inflammation and stiffening the arteries.

Not only can a vegan diet prevent diabetes, it can actually help reverse the disease.  Studies have found a plant-based diet can actually alter the course of the disease, and some have successfully become healthy again after adopting a vegan lifestyle.  This information was presented to leaders of the American Diabetes Association, who stated they did not want an argument and could not continue the interview.   If organizations such as the ADA are not there to help us, we must take the matters into our own hands and quit believing everything the media tells us.

The Cheese Disease

In the United States, cancer is the cause of death for 25% of people.  Approximately 5-10% of cancer cases are hereditary.  The remaining cases are caused by environment and lifestyle.  Studies have found that dairy consumption is linked to different types of cancer.  Specifically, dairy increases chances of hormone related cancers.  Milk itself is a hormone based product, so these correlations make sense.  Even “organic” milk with no added hormones or antibiotics still contain hormones.  After all, it is breast milk designed to turn a baby calf into a 1,500 pound cow.

A human male’s risk of prostate cancer increases by 34% simply by consuming dairy.  Women who have breast cancer increase their risk of death by 49% by consuming dairy.  If these numbers are true, why do companies such as Susan G. Komen use their logo on Yoplait yogurt?  The American Cancer Association recommends English-muffin pizzas or bagels topped with cheese as healthy diet choices.  The reality is that these companies are sponsored by businesses such as KFC, Tyson, YUM, and Yoplait.  It is impossible to trust these organizations who are being paid off by the very companies that are making us sick.

 

In attempts to discuss the correlations between animal products and various diseases, multiple health organizations have refused to comment or deflect the conversation in another direction.  We simply cannot believe what media tells us is healthy, especially when all the leading organizations are driven by money.

Do not fear for a lack of protein – the largest animals on earth are herbivores.  Gorillas, elephants, and pandas all make due just fine on a plant based diet.  70% of deaths in the U.S. are lifestyle related, meaning they can be prevented.  By switching to a vegan diet, one significantly reduces their risks of many diseases, including cancer.

 

 

 

Meal Prep

Once someone has made the decision to go vegan, they may feel the task is a little daunting.  One of the first steps is replacing foods you typically eat with vegan alternatives.  Keep in mind that basically any dish can be made without animal products!

A great first step is to stock up your pantry.  Some may need to replace their entire cupboard; some are already just about there.  It can be extra difficult to cut out certain foods if you do not already have a replacement for it, so be sure to stock up on your favorites!  A few vegan staples you should consider include beans, nuts, tofu, and loads of fruits and vegetables.  Condiments are essential – stock up on olive oil, mustard, tahini, hot sauce, and anything else to add some flavor to your meals.

To make the transition even easier, plan your meals ahead of time.  Meal preparation might be the key to your success; check out the following meals to create a plan!

Breakfast:

  • Oatmeal with maple syrup, bananas, almond milk, and flax / hemp seeds
    Fruit juice or smoothie
  • Toast with jam or nut butter
  • Vegan tofu scramble with vegetables – try mushroom & spinach!
  • Avocado & bean toast
  • Potato pancakes
  • Vegan sausage and bacon

Lunch:

  • Chickpea salad with pita or naan
  • Grilled tofu over greens or rice
  • Vegan tacos – try Beyond Meat beefy crumbles!
  • Pumpkin and mushroom pasta
  • Lentil soup
  • Tempeh pita

Dinner:

  • Bean chili – try adding quinoa!
  • Roasted zucchini and tomato pasta
  • Vegetable soup
  • Grilled tofu “steaks”
  • Falafel and veggie wrap

 

 

The key to a vegan diet is planning.  It is easy to get all the required nutrients on a vegan diet, though just as easy to miss some as well.  By planning ahead, one can make well-rounded meals which cover the essential food groups.

Fresh fruits and vegetables can be tricky to plan for.  You can never be absolutely sure when your avocado will be ripe, or when your bananas will be perfectly freckled.  Be sure to buy frozen and dried produce, so that your dinner plate is never lacking.  Frozen produce is flash frozen at peak ripeness and dried produce is great for snacking between meals.

If you currently partake in meal prep, you are already underway to an easy transition.  A simple search on the internet will return tons of recipes you already love – just add the word “vegan” in there and you are all set.  Have you found any surprising alternatives?  I know I never thought a vegan would have bacon and eggs for breakfast! All it takes is a little creativity and passion.

Good for the Heart

While going vegan may seem like it is good for the heart in terms of being kind to animals, it is also a healthier option than eating a diet consisting of meat.  When people discover they are at risk or diagnosed with heart disease, one of many doctors’ recommendations is reducing meat intake in the diet.  Why is this so?

According to WebMD, Harvard’s Health Blog, Cleveland Health Clinic, and many others, eating meat has a direct correlation to the development of heart disease.  A diet consisting of meat typically includes higher amounts of cholesterol than a plant-based diet, which is a direct cause of heart disease.  Cholesterol exists in the arteries, and gradually builds up over time.  This eventually narrows the arteries, making blood flow more difficult.  However, this cholesterol can be eliminated over time – if the consumption of such products is eliminated.  The body will work to reduce the amount of cholesterol, and ones’ risk of heart disease can decrease.

Red meat specifically, including lamb, beef, and venison, contain carnitine.  Carnitine is a protein building block converted by bacteria in the large intestine, which thickens the walls of arteries.  Typically, the redder the meat, the more carnitine it contains.  Carnitine triggers a certain reaction which can be dangerous for our health, if it occurs excessively.  Research shows that carnitine may also be found in energy drinks, egg yolks, and fatty meats.  Many doctors agree that deciding the eliminate meat from ones’ diet is a personal choice, however it is a choice that may assist in reducing problems of the heart.  It is also important to consider that ones’ family history plays a very important part in how heart disease may affect a person.  Additionally, vegans tend to be more health-conscientious than the typical meat eater, so the overall lifestyle may also have an impact on health.

Check out the following site for more information regarding vegans and diseases:

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/dxrates