Veggie Tales
There’s no doubt vegetarianism is both good for you and the environment—but if you decide to make the change, you don’t need to do it all at once.
Environmental awareness has never been so fashionable. People everywhere are displaying green credentials by offsetting carbon footprints and toting reusable bags. But have you considered the effect your dining choices might have on the globe? Last week, the chairman of the United Nations Panel on Climate Change stated that to “To reduce climate change, people should start giving up meat once a week.” Rearing animals for human consumption puts a strain on the earth’s resources, and according to the economics of the food chain, the number of crops it takes to feed the animals we eat could feed 10 times as many humans. Our seas are being depleted too, with WWF Hong Kong claiming that many fish species in our waters alone are threatened with extinction due to our demand for fresh seafood.
This is one of the reasons many environmentalists are shunning meat altogether. Paul Harrison, 44, runs the website, Vegetarian Hong Kong (members.tripod.com/hkveg). He gave up meat at age 11. “I saw a TV program that told me that to feed the world, everyone has to become vegetarian. That’s when I decided to give up meat.” Dietitian June Chan of the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital notices a similar view among people converting to meat-free diets: “People used to convert for religious reasons,” she says, “but now, we’re seeing an increase because of ethical or health concerns.”
But while vegetarianism may be good for the environment, is it really all that good for our health? Harrison thinks so. “Based on my own experience, I believe that I have more energy than meat eaters. When I used to go hiking, the three fastest hikers—including me—were vegetarians.”
However, Chan presents a different explanation as to why vegetarians have a lower incidence of certain cancers and higher energy levels: “It’s more to do with an increased intake of vegetables than eliminating meats,” she says. “It’s true that a diet high in vegetables is good for your health; higher energy levels are related to a more stable blood sugar from slow-energy-release vegetables.” Meat itself isn’t bad for you; it’s more to do with the volume you consume. “Hormones in livestock aren’t really a problem as long as you’re eating a moderate amount,” she adds. “The problem comes when people consume too high a volume. They have a higher body-fat percentage, meaning an increased production of estrogen in the body. That is what leads to various cancers, not the meat itself.” She goes on to explain other ailments that vegetarian diets claim to fight: ”With colon cancer, people who follow a healthy vegetarian diet are less likely to contract the disease because they are likely to get more fiber in their diet, so simply cutting down your meat intake and increasing your intake of vegetables and fiber can achieve a similar effect.”
So if all these green talk has you thinking about cutting down on or cutting out your meats, what do you need to remember to ensure a smooth transition? Harrison recommends setting yourself a boundary and then living by it as much as you can. “Some will draw the line at eating any animal products whatsoever, and some will try to eat a vegetarian meal a couple of times a week. Anything helps.” And don’t add a hefty side dose of guilt to your plate, either. “If you find yourself in a situation where eating meat is unavoidable, don’t feel guilty. Take comfort in the fact that you’re doing the best you can.”
On the health front, Chan recommends eating a bowl full of green leafy vegetables alongside every bowl of carbs to help stabilize your blood sugar. “A lot of vegetarian diets tend to be high in carbohydrates,” she says. “Too many refined grains might give you a high triglyceride count and a drop in your HDL (good cholesterol). And don’t forget that a lot of vegetable fats such as palm and coconut oil are high in saturated fats, which can pack on the pounds and raise cholesterol levels.” As for good foods to base your diet around, Chan suggests substituting meats with egg whites, beans, firm tofu and nuts. “It’s a good idea to incorporate regular vegetarian meals into your diet to ensure that you’re getting enough vegetables and fiber, and to offset meat-filled meals, which may be high in saturated fats.”