For these 3 weeks, I am eating no animal products at all. No meat (which I will continue doing after the cleanse), no eggs, no cheese, nothing that comes from an animal.
Why?
As Kathy Freston explains in her book The Quantum Wellness Cleanse, our body needs amino acids, which we get from protein. A serving of meat protein will give us a lot of these amino acids, but it also delivers lots of saturated fat. Plant protein, on the other hand, gives us the same amount of amino acids with very little saturated fat, but more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Physiologically, our stomachs have to create way more acid to digest animal meat than plant protein. This raised level of acid in the body can lead to inflammation and fatigue. Studies have even shown that eating meat has been linked with the development of cancer, mainly because the meat-eating starts an inflammatory process in the body.
I also have to think about the way animals are mass produced and treated horribly just so I can have a piece of meat. They are injected with all types of hormones they shouldn't have and we should never ingest, just so the animals will grow bigger and corporations can make more money. Animals are packed into tiny (almost non-existent) living spaces where they can barely move until they are fat enough to slaughter. It makes me sad just thinking about it.
I know a meat-free diet isn't for everyone, but I would encourage you to look into the issue more. Especially if you have risk factors for high cholesterol or heart disease, a plant-based diet might be the best gift you give your body!
QUESTION FOR YOU: Have you ever thought about giving up meat?
great post! lots of good info.
ReplyDeletewe also can't forget the suffering and unthinkable conditions of dairy cows and their babies though. :( people like us have to speak up for these beautiful, loving animals:
http://www.veganoutreach.org/dairycows.html