Saturday, October 15, 2011

Being Vegetarian

I came across many people who were vegetarian. No - I don't mean who also eat vegetables - I mean who only eats vegetables. It was very simple for me - vegetarian means who don't eat meat or chicken or fish.

But these airlines keeps confusing me. Last week, while doing on-line checkin, they asked me on web about my diet. There were total 22 options. Once I checked on Asian Vegetarian meal and it had seafood. Next time I was cautious and options were Hindu meal, Vegetarian meal, Vegan meal, Raw vegetarian meal bla bla bla... Oh Gosh.Finally, I found myself fitting in Lacto-ovo-vegetarian meal plan. This meal plan does not include any animal flesh of any kind but includes dairy.

In many countries people see me as stranger - Vegetarian? what does that mean? This also includes my aid worker colleges and they often ask me since when i am vegetarian? what is the source of protein? At the same time I also come across many people from various countries are vegetarian (of them over 70% were females from Europe or Australia).

In this new age, vegetarianism has become the buzz word around the globe. More and more people are turning vegetarians. Celebrities are endorsing vegetarianism. What is this craze all about?

Let us revisit some of the more compelling reasons and freshen our perspective. Let me clarify here that vegetarian food means food from the plant kingdom. All dairy products are as much animal food as meat and eggs are. Even though in our culture we have always considered milk and milk products as vegetarian, we cannot deny the fact that these come from animals and are technically animal products.

During my discussions with them, I found people are vegetarian based on one or couple of Environmental Issues, Biological Issues, Health Issues, Economical issues, Ethical issues and Spiritual Issues. This way being vegetarian or vegetarianism becomes a fashion and health statement.

However, I am vegetarian because my family taught me to be vegetarian or did not taught me to eat meat. I come from a family where we have grown up in totally vegetarian environment - never even tasted meat; not even once.

This was from religious way of living life and not only people or family - many villages around my villages are vegetarian. First time i came across seeing people eating meat when I was 25 year old.

Religion, Ayurveda and Vegetarianism : 

The tradition of vegetarianism comes from India’s religious background. The Manu-smriti, a Vedic guide for human behavior says, “having considered the origin of flesh foods and the cruelty of fettering and slaying corporeal beings, let man entirely abstain from eating flesh.” It goes on to say that eating meat “involves killing, and consequently leads to karmic bondage (bandha).”

The Mahabharata, another ancient Indian text, explains that a healthy vegetarian diet is sattvic, increasing purity of consciousness and longevity. Other references in Vedic literature refer to fruits, vegetables, grain, nuts and dairy products as fit for human consumption. And the Bhagavad Gita says that lovingly offering food to others also helps us to shed our karma.

Sattvic food is fresh, pure and vegetarian. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, whole grain breads, nuts, seeds and salads. Foods that have a naturally sweet taste are sattvic. This does not include refined sugar products, but refers to anything that has a sweet taste without any additives, such as grains (rice, wheat and barley), breads, honey and fruits. Milk, herbal teas, pure fruit or vegetable juices and water are also included in this group. Organically grown foods are preferred, as fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals and preservatives are tamasic.

Mushrooms, onions, garlic and the excessive use of spices should be avoided, as they are rajasic and/or tamasic. Alcohol, products containing caffeine (coffee, chocolate, tea, cola) and meat should be moderated or eliminated from the diet.

A vegetarian diet is preferred in Ayurveda, but it is not mandatory.

P.S: I am a total vegetarian and am not trying to advertise / promote non vegetarianism.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Super foods for Super health!

It is very important to know which Fruits and vegetables could help you for good health. Which fruit helps lower your blood pressure? Lack of omega-3s is linked to depression and some physical problems but do you know which everyday food can provide you with these essential fatty acids? Are you worried about your eyesight?

Blueberries
Bursting with flavour, blueberries are one of nature’s gems. They act as an antibiotic by blocking bacteria that cause urinary tract infections. Some people like to eat them frozen because they taste like sherbet! These vitamin C, fibre and iron rich berries beat 40 other types of fruit and vegetables with their ability to neutralise free radicals, those nasty particles that damage cells and enhance the effects of ageing. They benefit your eyesight too, not surprising they have been dubbed the “vision fruit” in Japan.

Avocados
Known as “nature’s butter” they contain “good” fats (monosaturated) that may cut the risk of heart disease. They help regulate thyroid problems and are also a powerful source of vitamin E, a fantastic skin improver. Some studies show that avocados may also help prevent rheumatoid arthritis. What’s more, they contain the powerful antioxidant lutein, which can help protect the eyes from cataracts and hardening of the arteries. Can’t be bad!

Bananas
Moneys aren’t daft. Besides providing instant energy, their favourite food containing magnesium and vitamin B6 is one of the most nutritious tropical fruits around. Fibre from green bananas reduces bad cholesterol while ripe bananas are one of the best ways to soothe an upset stomach. And that’s not all! They can relieve heartburn, helps decrease the risk of a stroke and are packed full of potassium which can lower your blood pressure. It’s easy to see why they are classed as a super food!

Garlic
Said to bring good luck, protect against evil and ward off vampires. Well, who knows? What is sure is that garlic deserves its reputation as “king of the herbs”. Freshly crushed, it can kill bacteria at a distance of 20 centimetres, by the smell alone! It is good for the immune, digestive, nervous, respiratory and excretory systems and is beneficial for the heart, lungs, skin, hair and eyes. It contains the active ingredient allicin, which has an immune enhancing effect and studies have linked garlic to a lower risk of stomach cancer. If you catch a cold or flu, garlic will help cut its duration by half.

Pomegranates
This super fruit with the edible seeds has higher antioxidant activity than red wine and green tea, which may be why a number of studies show it may prevent skin cancer and kill breast and prostate cancer cells. It also helps fight Alzheimer’s disease, is great for reducing plaque build up in the arteries, improves the function of the intestines and strengthens the walls of the tiny blood vessels that supply nutrients to the skin. What’s more, it also has a reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac. Wow, what an all rounder!

Tomatoes
These juicy red guys contain the antioxidant lypocene which can protect against cancer, lower your cholestoral and protect against heart disease. Lycopene, also found in red peppers and watermelons, is best absorbed by the blood when taken with a little oil. Ideally, for good health, eat at least one cooked tomato, or tomato based product daily, for example, pasta sauce. Yes okay... even pizza sauce counts...

Tea
Thirst-quenching and delicious definitely, but recent research shows tea is also high in antioxidants and may protect against cancer and heart disease. Don’t add milk or worse – sugar, which may negate its health-giving benefits. Serious tea drinkers should remember that the dash of milk in each cup adds up and can contribute significantly to the amount of fat in their diet, increasing the risk of heart disease and cancelling the protective effect of the antioxidants, so drink it black if you can.

Lemons
This golden gem of the fruit world is virtually a powerhouse of health. It contains Vitamin B and E, potassium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, zinc, iron, manganese and is the greatest source of vitamin C around. But that’s not all – they are jam-packed with bioflavonoid too, beneficial to the lining of the digestive tract, respiratory system, heart and circulation. Lemons are fantastic for keeping skin and body tissues healthy and are best eaten fresh, raw or juiced.

Grapes
Rich in bioflavonoid which have powerful anti-cancer properties, these fruits of the vine also contain resveratrol which fights the enzymes that can stimulate cancer cell growth. They help prevent narrowing the hardening of the arteries too. As if that isn’t enough, they are stuffed with fibre and protein. Try to eat a small bunch of grapes five times a week or drink it in juice form. If you’re worried about your eyesight, try eating red grapes – a source of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin which studies show may protect against age-related macular degeneration.

Walnuts
When it comes to health benefits, tasty walnuts are not a hard nut to crack. Walnuts are an important source of monounsaturated fat, a protective fat which the body can not manufacture. Walnuts concentration of omega-3s has many potential health benefits ranging from cardiovascular protection, to the promotion of better cognitive function, to anti-inflammatory benefits. Those who know about these things, say they are helpful for those who suffer from asthma and rheumatoid arthritis and skin disease such as eczema and psoriasis too. Nuts also contain dietary fibre, magnesium, copper, folic acid, protein, potassium and vitamin E. You’d be nuts not to eat them!

Broccoli
Time and again studies have singled out broccoli as a “wonder food”. It contains almost twice as much protein as steak and is also a source of folic acid which helps prevent many cancers, Alzheimers and a whole host of other serious conditions. Broccoli is full of chromium, vitamin C and iron and is high in fibre too, which can help cut the risk of bowel cancer. Aim to eat a protein atleast three times a week. Those greens are good for you!
"Lack of omega-3s is lined to depression and some physical problems but do you know which everyday food can provide you with these essential fatty acids?"
Walnuts

Lemons

Avocados

Bananas

Blueberries

Broccoli

Garlic

Tomatoes

Grapes

Pomegranates

Tea