I'm a Vegetarian: Day 4
I’ve made it halfway through my week as a vegetarian and its becoming easier every day.
As usual, here’s my food diary:
- Waffle
- Scrambled eggs
- Apple
- Milk
- Orange juice
- Coffee
- Sub sandwich with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, banana peppers on whole wheat bread
- Carrots
- Hummus
- Pita
- Stir fry with brown rice, peas, carrots, cauliflower, red peppers, broccoli, peas
- Macaroni and cheese
- Corn bread
- Vegetarian pot stickers
- Salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, broccoli
- Passion orange guava juice
- Teddy grahams (I admit I love them- a favorite late-night snack)
- Ensure shake
Now I have to clarify. I’m by no means a huge meat eater to begin with, and while I do enjoy the occasional nibble of chicken or turkey, pork and red meat is usually a huge turn off. I haven’t gone into “meat withdrawal” during these last few days nor am I even craving meat. The difficult part of this experience so far is finding vegetarian-friendly food on campus, although Shaw Hall’s Captain Pea Pod’s Veggie-torium has helped with that search. The most difficult part, though, is finding the time to eat healthy vegetarian meals on campus with such a busy class and work schedule.
That’s why I’ve fallen back on not-so-healthy foods like cheese pizza this week. My goal for the rest of the week is to eat more complex carbohydrates and vegetables (I have always had an aversion to most vegetables), as well as healthy sources of fats like avocados, peanuts and nuts, as suggested by many of the blog comments. If you’re interested in tracking your own dietary guidelines, visit www.MyPyramid.gov to check out the new food guide pyramid and make sure you’re eating a well-rounded diet.
Today I had more hummus, which is made of a source of “good fat” and more vegetables through a salad, sub sandwich and stir fry. I ideally should increase my fruit intake, but overall I think I did a better job today than I have been doing. I think my entire diet has improved, not necessarily due to being a vegetarian, but because being a vegetarian has caused me to think about what I’m putting into my body more than ever before. I’ve made mistakes so far along the way, like worrying about not getting enough protein or thinking cheese pizza will satisfy a meal requirement. Still, I’m trying and I’m learning.
Information for new vegetarians can be found at http://www.vegsoc.org/newveg/index.html. If all continues to go well, who knows? This vegetarian lifestyle I’ve adopted may last longer than just this week.
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Pam
(01/22/09 12:47pm)Report
The scientific information about the benefits of a vegan diet and the hazards of a meat and dairy diet are well known in the medical and scientific community. Here’s some inspiration:
There are hundreds of famous top level athletes
even Olympianswho are vegetarian or vegan. “Olympian of the Century” track star Carl Lewis, tennis champions Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King, cricket star Anil Kumble, Mr. International bodybuilder Andreas Cahling, Heisman trophy winner Desmond Howard, Debbie lawrence Olympic race-walker, four time Mr. Universe Bill Pearl, 4-time Olympic gold medalist Al Oerter, WBC World Middleweight Champion Keith Holmes, double Olympic Gold medalist in hurdles Edwin Moses, and Dave Scott, six-time Ironman triathlon winner, to name but a few.And finally, two-time winner of the most grueling ultramarathon on earth is vegan Scott Jurek. Here is a description of the race quoted from a running magazine writer whose name I cannot remember or locate: “Starting in Badwater in Death Valley and stretching 135 miles, the Badwater Ultramarathon is known as “the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet.” “The race covers 135 miles, nonstop, from Badwater in Death Valley to the trailhead of Mount Whitney in the Sierras, the highest mountain in the Lower 48. The successful runners cross three mountain ranges with a combined, cumulative vertical ascent and descent of 17,400 feet, which is like a flight of stairs three miles high. 85 contestants from across the world show up in the 123 degree heat for the ultramarathon. “Ultra” because this race is five marathons back-to-back with another three miles tacked on to the end.” “The winner? Vegan competior Scott Jurek, who also won the Badwater last year.”
Scott’s bio: “On his own journey towards optimal health, Scott began transitioning to a vegetarian whole foods diet in 1997, while competing in several ultra trail races per year. In 1999, he adopted a vegan diet out of further health and environmental concerns. Scott continues to fuel his body on completely vegan diet while competing in 10-12 ultramarathons per year in addition to his rigorous training schedule. All seven of his consecutive wins at the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run were performed on vegan fuel.”