Every since I’ve gotten back from the UK, I’ve been eating more meat than I have since November of 2007. I was originall 100% raw vegan, then cut back to 90%, then 80% before my trip. Once I got back, I’ve maintained a 30% Raw vegan lifestyle, mostly because of finances—it’s very difficult to eat right on a budget, but also out of a ‘lull’ in my health goals for the year. This wasn’t unplanned as I expected July to be a “break” from the constant borage of health related excercizes and lifestyle changes that I had made—and they were SEVERE changes for me—I dove right in to this stuff. But now, at the beginning of August, it’s time for me to get back on the boat. I gained about 8 pounds back after the vacation, which isn’t a lot—my waist is still the same size, but there’s more pudge on my face and belly. It’s time to reverse that. So, out of curiosity I picked up a few health books to make sure I do this ‘right’—My goal is to lose another 35 pounds, but to also turn back the clock in aging as well as mental decline, etc. etc. (I’m 36—this stuff I take seriously now).


I’ve been reading this fascinating book by Dr. Colin Campbell called The China Study which exhaustively details the correlations between fat intake and certain cronic diseases, including colon and breast cancer. I remember seeing reports on CNN.com about the possible links of FAT to Alzheimer’s, along with various other diseases in the same report and amongst other reports, but the mentions of this have been quick one paragraph blurbs that are buried in the website and never mentioned again.

The average American consumes a diet of about 36% fat, well above that of other nations (in general). We also tend to consume far more sugar than folks in other nations—sugar is a very cheap “filler” in many pre-packaged foods cause it adds bulk and volume for very low prices, and obviously adds flavor.

In The China Study , Dr. Campbell, compares ,in one of his chapters , the rates of breast cancer in America to the rates of breast cancer in regions of China that consume far less fat than we do---America by 36% ands China by 16.5%. Chinese rates of breast cancer were proportionally lower than that in America. Moreover, the fats being consume by the Chinese directly correlated to their meat intake, which of course is far less than westerners. When these studies compared the rates of cancer between the meat eating Chinese groups to vegan/vegetarian groups, they found that the plant-based dieters actually had decreased breast cancer rates proportional to those of the meat eaters. Though a bit outlandish , he postulates that elimination of fats from meat based sources can reduce breast cancer rates down to 2 to 3 percent, which can then be attributed to heredity. I'm oversimplifying this chapter so as to squeeze it into one paragraph, but I found the theory both startling and sobering.
I’ve always believe that fat from meat is not benign—it doesn’t just sit in your body waiting to be used. I believe it poisons our bodies if we don’t’ use or eliminate it—which is why highly carnivorous societies that are not sedentary like we are tend to still have lower rates of all these diseases (note: I have no proof of this—it’s just something I believe from a primal, imagined, gut level).
The chapters involving why the US government and various other industries do not more strongly discourage the consumption of fat from meats, is obvious and feels a bit like Vegan propaganda; but, this doesn’t mean there’ no truth to it. I for one, have always believed that our health standards are political compromises due to industry lobbying and money.

At any rate, this book is fascinating. I plan to read it all weekend when I have free time. Moreover, it’s finally given that extra “umph” to elimate as much meat from my diet as I can muster—whether that ends up being 100%, 90% or 80% meat free remains to be seen.

How much meat do you consume? Do you find your diet to be beneficial or detrimental to your health? Or do you not factor diet into your health, honestly?


year edit
[Edited 8/8/08 11:44am]

Less and less


but its hard

Meat is the last thing I will choose to put on my plate or eat

I saw a decapitatin accident when I was 18 and ever since I just have a very hard time eating and no desire for meats really



and I have no point behind what I am saying

rushing07 said:

Of course, the verdict is out how healthy the polish meat is

I know the portions of it are...nebulas.

I'm a full-time pescetarian now. The last meat I ate (that wasn't fish) was on 6/28/08.
And I can only remember eating fish about 3-4 times since then.
I was thinking I would still have traditional thanksgiving dinner with my family in November, but the thought kind of disgusts me now.

Mach said:

ewwww!!!




And to your last statement!
[Edited 8/8/08 11:27am]

CarrieMpls said:

If you think about it, my meat rubbed up against the pair of underwear I placed on your pillows. That means, at least on a figurative level, you never said good by to meat.


Just food for thought.


Just food. for. thought.

Imago said:

god this is NSFW!

rushing07 said:

I've missed around here, boo

Imago said:

I have to be very careful mentally while sitting at a table with steak eaters I have been known as well to get up and leave the table when plates filled with flesh and blood come out

Mach said:

I'm leaning more and more towards that now.


I mean, most folks don't realize that pretty bow and ribbon around their trinkets had a history involving slave labor, greed, and pain, let alone what comes sizzling off a hotplate in front of them.