By Lisa M. Belisle, MD, MPH
Originally published January 8, 2009, The Maine Switch
One of my friends recently sent a note via Facebook asking my opinion about vegetarianism/veganism. He wanted to know where the science stands on this issue, and if I had any specific concerns about being a vegetarian/vegan. Like my friend, I have eaten a predominantly plant-based diet for many years. As a doctor, I’ve come to believe that plant-based diets have much to recommend them.
Before discussing plant-based diets, let me say that I try to steer clear of labels such as vegetarian and vegan. Recently, I read a magazine article describing the differences between vegans, (people who eat/use no animal products), and various types of vegetarians (lacto-ovo vegetarians eat milk and eggs; pescatarians eat fish, etc). This article described people who pretend to be vegetarians but occasionally eat milk, eggs, fish or meat as engaging in ‘poseurtarianism.’
It bothers me to call people ‘poseurs,’ especially when it comes to food. This seems unnecessarily judgmental. We should no more be defined by our food than by the illnesses we have. There is a difference between identifying someone as a ‘diabetic’ vs. a ‘person with diabetes.’ Instead of characterizing myself as a vegetarian, I think of myself as eating a ‘predominantly plant-based diet (PPBD).’
There are many health benefits associated with the PPBD. According to the China Study, done on 6,500 adults in 65 counties, a plant-based diet is associated with:
- lower blood cholesterol levels
- lower breast cancer rates, and
- lower digestive cancer rates.
This study also found that the PPBD results in a healthy weight, yet “permits people to become big and strong.”
PPBD’s do not always enable people to become big and strong. Some individuals stop eating meat only to replace it with highly processed grains (breads, crackers), instead of whole plant-based foods. This can lead to protein and vitamin deficiencies. Ironically, it can also lead to weight gain. The healthy PPBD is not difficult to achieve, but it does take some planning.
Want to explore the possibilities of a PPBD? Find suggestions for getting fruits and veggies into your diet at www.letsgo.org. Or check out Meg Wolff’s blog. (FMI on Meg Wolff, read my October 2008 Switch column.) Need recipes for your PPBD? In my next column I will share some of my favorite PPBD-oriented cookbooks.
Here’s to my Facebook friend, and all who are currently enjoying a PPBD. To others, I say, give it a try. If you decide to indulge in the occasional animal product, you won’t hear me making accusations of ‘poseurtarianism.’ Everyone is welcome at my table.
