What You Need to Know Before Going Vegetarian

 

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Build Muscle & Lose Fat By Eating Plants

ORIGINS OF VEGETARIANISM

Vegetarianism isn’t a new diet craze, and it’s certainly not a passing fad.

It’s an enduring lifestyle choice rooted in ancient Indian and ancient Greek civilizations. Since that time, vegetarianism has come a long way – but not without its challenges and transformations. As with love, war, and politics, it’s important to understand your history to have a clear vision of where you’re headed.

Origins of Vegetarianism

According to Colin Spencer, author of The Heretic’s Feast: A History of Vegetarianism, the earliest recorded practices of vegetarianism were associated with nonviolence towards animals in India, southern Italy and Greece. Religious groups and philosophers were the first supporters of vegetarianism, and many medieval European monks were pescetarians for aesthetic reasons. Pure vegetarianism reemerged during the Renaissance and became widespread practice during the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

Abstention from meat has historically been central to Eastern religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Brahmanism, Zoroasterianism, and Jainism (food for thought: according to my research, it is quite possible the Buddha was not a vegetarian). Ancient verses in the Upanishads and the Rig Veda , the most sacred ancient Hindu text, support vegetarianism because the practice respects all life forms on earth. As Buddhist emperor Ashoka, wrote, “husks hiding living beings are not to be burnt and forests are not to be burnt either without reason or to kill creatures. One animal is not to be fed to another.”

Famous Vegetarians in History

• Pythagoras, the Greek Philosopher
• Asoka, Indian king who converted to Buddhism and created a vegetarian kingdom
• Ashoka, Buddhist emperor from 304 BD to 232 BC
• St. David, Christian Patron Saint of Wales
• Alexander Pope, Renaissance era poet
• Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, 19^th century Christian preacher
• Gustav Struve, 19^th century German politician, publicist, and revolutionary

Vegetarianism in America

As Donna Maurer wrote in her publication, Vegetarian: Movement or Moment: Promoting A Lifestyle for Cult Change, “People typically view vegetarianism as a personal habit or food choice, even though organizations in North America have been promoting vegetarianism as a movement since the 1850s.”

Vegetarianism found its way to America by way of the Christian church. In the 1800s, Reverend William Metcalfe of the Bible Christian Church preached about vegetarianism and pacifism.

He and Sylvester Graham (who invented Graham crackers) were among the founders of the American Vegetarian Society in 1850. And as Karen and Michael Iacobbo point out in their book, Vegetarian America, A History, one of the founders of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Ellen G. White, became a vegetarian advocate and the church has promoted a meatless diet ever since.

As Eastern influences began to permeate Western society, vegetarianism appealed to the 1960s counterculture in America. The 1970s brought legitimacy to vegetarianism, as serious academic attention turned to the ethical treatment of animals. Undoubtedly, Peter Singer’s 1975 book, Animal Liberation, which exposed animal experimentation and the ills of factory farming, had something to do with it.

Environmental conservation became front-page news in the 1980s and 1990s, and vegetarianism was rightfully perceived as part of a sustainable solution. During this time and in the wake of the obesity crisis, Americans also began paying closer attention to their personal health and looked to vegetarianism as a viable alternative to prevent disease and live longer.

Health v. Spirituality

Author, J.C. Whorton, published an article titled, “Historical Development of Vegetarianism” in the the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that examines the reasons that people decided to avoid meat in different ages. Prior to the 19^th century, people chose to avoid animal foods for more and metaphysical reasons. During the classical antiquity in Greece, “vegetarian diet” translated into a phrase that meant “abstinence from beings with a soul.”

But as Whorton points out, people began considering vegetarianism for improved health in the early 1800s, as science ascended to a position of cultural authority. But nonetheless, moral convictions shaped theories of nutritional superiority, making popular vegetarian spokesmen John Harvey Kellog and Sylvester Graham appear as dietary fanatics to some people.

Although spirituality is not a prerequisite for modern vegetarianism, many vegetarians experience a heightened sense of consciousness while paying closer attention to their food choices. These are some of the common spiritual benefits that vegetarians experience:

• Sense of worldly peacefulness
• Heightened compassion towards people and animals
• Reduced feelings of guilt
• Less toxic energy in the body
• Elevated levels of perception

Popular Modern Reasons to Choose Vegetarianism

• Personal health
• Disease prevention
• Moral conviction
• Animal rights
• Athletic performance
• Economic advantage
• Environmental preservation
• Religious beliefs

Vegetarianism Gender Bias

Although little is known about vegetarian gender bias in ancient culture, women are much more likely to choose vegetarianism in today’s society.

Psychology Today magazine suggests that evolutionary history might have something to do with the gender bias. Throughout evolutionary history, men hunted meat and women gathered plant food. According to the magazine’s survey, women are 60% more likely to become vegetarians (3.33% v. 2.07%).

A “Vegetarianism in America” study published by the Vegetarian Times found that 59% of vegetarians were female, compared to 41% that were male, and that the 18-to-34-year-old demographic was most inclined to try meatless diets.

The jury is still out as to why traditional male culture opts against plant-based diets. More research is needed to determine whether this gender bias is a result of genetic differences in food cravings, patriarchal traditions, masculine perceptions, aesthetic aspirations, or something entirely different.

Summary

Vegetarianism holds a complex, multi-faceted place in history for men, women, Americans, and citizens of the world. As University of Washington professor, J.C. Whorton pointed out, “since vegetarianism is still often selected for moral or other nonscientific reasons, nutritional education of vegetarians remains an essential activity.”

For health, moral, religious, and economical reasons, vegetarianism has sustained populations for thousands of years. Considering the growing population and the declining degrees health around the world, vegetarianism is a personal choice that can make a global impact.

As author and North American Vegetarian Society advisor, Rynn Berry put it, “Regardless of the choices you make in your diet, the more the dots are connected between health, compassion and ecology, the more nourishing your diet will become for your mind and your body.”

For topics related to what you need to know before going vegetarian, watch these videos below

5 Things You NEED to Know Before Going Vegetarian | SariReanna

How To Start A Plant-Based Diet: Complete Guide For Beginners

Author Bio:

Chris Willitts (creator of V3), is the founder and owner of Vegetarian Bodybuilding.

V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System is a mixture of science and author’s advice, providing users with optimal diet and exercise. This system is designed for vegans and vegetarians only.

A lot of research has been put in this program. Furthermore, a lot of professional bodybuilders and athletes tried and tested the program, praising its progressiveness and efficiency.

The program is about taking control of your own body and health according to your potential and needs. And worry not; you’ll get plenty of proteins with this system. It will boost you with energy, and you’ll feel just a strong as any carnivore would (perhaps even stronger, depending on how much you invest in your exercise). It avoids vitamins deficiency and provides you with a lot of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

Instead of saying things like “I think a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders,” the V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System claims “I know a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders, and I have results to prove it.”

To find out more, visit the website at V3 Bodybuilding – What You Need to Know Before Going Vegetarian

What are the Benefits of Being a Part-Time Vegetarian?

 

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Build Muscle & Lose Fat By Eating Plants

ARNOLD SAYS WE SHOULD GO PART-TIME VEGETARIAN

Over the last two years, there has been an explosion of interest, best-selling books, supplements, websites, festivals, and award-winning documentaries in the plant-based nutrition domain.

And now the Arnold Schwarzenegger of bodybuilding, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has weighed in on the topic and says we should try to eat less meat.

According to a recent article put out by the BBC, “Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says people should go meat-free one or two days a week to protect the climate.”

Arnold also recently said,

“I have seen many body builders that are vegetarian and they get strong and healthy.”

Wow. I didn’t see this day coming. This is akin to Donald Trump getting a crew cut.

To be clear, this legendary bodybuilder isn’t saying that everyone should become vegetarians, but he is bringing a great deal of attention to the topic. To me, this is a win in itself because many more people are talking about it now.

There are so many compelling health reasons to become a vegetarian, but as Schwarzenegger points out, the truly important one is the environment.

Agricultural food production contributes 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the livestock sector generates 65 percent of human-related nitrous oxide and 35 percent of methane, which have 296 times and 23 times the Global Warming Potential of CO2, respectively.

Since 1990, emissions have increased by 17 percent, largely because of livestock management systems. By eliminating meat from our diets, we can cut greenhouse gas emissions from food by half.

Livestock consume more human-edible protein than they produce, as more than 10 kilograms of grain is needed to produce 1 kilogram of beef.

The average cornfield could deliver more than 15 million calories per acre each year (enough to feed 14 people per acre) if we ate the corn ourselves. But due to the allocation of corn to animal production, each acre only yields 3 million calories (enough for just three people).

Clearly, meat takes just as much of a toll on the environment and global food supply as it does our bodies. Now is the time to join Arnold in the fight against climate change with simple dietary changes, one meal at a time.

What’s next, Arnold encouraging the fitness community to try vegetarian bodybuilding?

Perhaps.

That said, according to our good friend Robert Cheeke, Arnold is no stranger to vegetarian bodybuilding:

Arnold used to lose bodybuilding competitions to a vegetarian bodybuilder, Bill Pearl. He grew up in the bodybuilding world among successful vegetarian bodybuilders, in addition to Pearl, including Mr. Universe, Andreas Cahling.

One of Arnold’s long-time bodybuilding colleagues is another former Mr. Universe champion, Jim Morris, who has spent many years as a vegetarian and is now vegan.

I was with Jim and Arnold in at the gym just a few months ago.

Arnold has had successful vegetarian bodybuilders around him for his entire bodybuilding career, dating back to when he was a teenage bodybuilder trying to keep up with the more experienced, and very successful, Bill Pearl.

I met Bill about 5 years ago and he was in his 80s and still active, much like Jim Morris, who is now 80 and in the gym 5 days a week. Though I don’t think Arnold was totally convincing in his statement about cutting back on animal products, suggesting that most people would be unwilling to cut out much, it is still a powerful message coming from the most influential bodybuilder in history, the man so many bodybuilders and others aspire to be like.

The Part-Time Vegetarian

If you like the idea of trying a vegetarian diet but the thought of never again eating a Thanksgiving turkey or a BLT leaves a bad taste in your mouth (pun intended), then try a semi-vegetarian diet (also known as a flexitarian diet).

Flexitarians are often confused with omnivores, but omnivores don’t typically care whether they eat meat or plants. Flexitarians strive to eat mostly veggies and fruits, and hardly any meat. The meat they do eat is carefully selected to be produced open-range and antibiotic/hormone-free.

Oddly enough, a flexitarian diet can be even more plant-based than a vegan diet.

This is because you can technically eat “vegan” (e.g. French fries, soda, cereal, etc.) all day and not have actually consumed a single vegetable. This more recent class of plant-based fellows, or semi-vegetarians, is also the most ancient expression of vegetarianism.

It turns out that most vegetarians across the globe eat some meat. You may enjoy reading “Origins of Vegetarianism” for some perspective on the subject. It is my observation that our culture tends to be more concerned with labels than the rest of the planet. We may get along better if we lightened up on striving for black and white all the time.

The Benefits

The primary concept here is that if you eat plant-based foods a majority of the time, you can still get most of the health benefits. I tried being semi-vegetarian first before going all-in, to see how my body would respond to hardly any meat. It also helped psychologically, because it offers flexibility and didn’t seem so extreme.

According to registered dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner, who coined the term “flexitarian” over a decade ago, semi-vegetarians live longer and weigh less than their omnivorous counterparts. And like vegetarians, flexitarians also have a lower risk of cancer, obesity, high blood pressure, and coronary heart disease.

Plant-Based Protein Is Easier Than You Think

Protein becomes a hot issue because vegetarians have been taunted for a long time about not getting enough protein. Many who say this are not well-informed, so it makes sense that they might reject the message and instead blame the messenger.

For a vegetarian bodybuilder or athlete, the primary thing is to incorporate plant-based foods that are hearty and packed with protein and nutrients.

Also, because meat is calorie-dense, there tends to be a deficit after eliminating meat from your diet. To help increase my total calories for the day, I simply eat more calorie-dense foods like nuts, seeds, and coconut oil.

Sources of Protein:

• Quinoa (my personal favorite and also a complete protein)
• Soy foods, like tofu
• Beans and lentils
• Nuts and seeds
• Plant-based protein powders

Of these, only quinoa and tofu are complete proteins. And some veggie burgers and plant-based protein powders have a blend of proteins and make a complete protein as well.

You can also utilize combinations of whole foods with incomplete proteins to make up a complete protein meal. For instance:

• Peanut butter and sprouted bread
• Beans and brazil nuts*

Sample Semi-Vegetarian Meal Plan

Naturally, if you’re a larger human being like myself, who weighs 220-230lb, you will want to increase the amount of food. Likewise, if you’re a smaller human being, you can trim this meal plan down to suit your needs.

• Breakfast : 3 organic eggs, free-range; toast with almond butter
• Lunch: Veggie burger with lettuce and slices of avocado and tomato; fresh veggie juice with organic greens
• Snack: 1 serving organic Greek yogurt, grass-fed
• Dinner: Tofu stir fry with quinoa
• Snack: Plant-based protein shake

Parting Thoughts

A plant-based, semi-vegetarian diet is overall a good and healthy thing.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Luckily, we know that you can get your protein from many different ways. You can get it from vegetables; I have seen many bodybuilders and lifters who are vegetarian and are strong and healthy.”

The UN also advises a vegan diet: “A global shift towards a vegan diet is vital to save the world from hunger, fuel poverty, and the worst impacts of climate change”.

The bigger picture of eating more plants and less meat makes its own respective contribution to compassion for animals, preserving resources and the environment, and quality personal health. The more thoughtfully and less judgmentally we can invite others to eat more plants, the better the aggregate effect.

Thankfully, icons like Arnold are contributing to the conversation, which in turn gets more people talking about it.

There are many reasons one may try going plant-based, but it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. In other words, eating less meat and more plants is a simple, valid option.

To get more ideas about the benefits of being a part-time vegetarian, watch these 2 videos below:

I'VE GONE FLEXITARIAN | What? Why? & How To | Madeleine Shaw

What I Eat In A Day As A Flexitarian | 3 Simple Recipes | Madeleine Shaw

Author Bio:

Chris Willitts (creator of V3), is the founder and owner of Vegetarian Bodybuilding.

V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System is a mixture of science and author’s advice, providing users with optimal diet and exercise. This system is designed for vegans and vegetarians only.

A lot of research has been put in this program. Furthermore, a lot of professional bodybuilders and athletes tried and tested the program, praising its progressiveness and efficiency.

The program is about taking control of your own body and health according to your potential and needs. And worry not; you’ll get plenty of proteins with this system. It will boost you with energy, and you’ll feel just a strong as any carnivore would (perhaps even stronger, depending on how much you invest in your exercise). It avoids vitamins deficiency and provides you with a lot of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

Instead of saying things like “I think a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders,” the V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System claims “I know a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders, and I have results to prove it.”

To find out more, visit the website at V3 Bodybuilding – Benefits of Being a Part-Time Vegetarian