Let food be thy medicine…

I don’t expect many to understand my rational for changing my eating habits and opting for a healthy lifestyle, even when many consider my decision “extreme.” Yet it never ceases to amaze at what comes out of individual mouths as it relates to how I and many others eat following “a diet rich in whole plant foods, free of all animal products, saturated fats, oils, nuts, sugar, artificial sweeteners and food additives,” as Julie Marie Christensen explains over at Protective Diet.

Many question and criticize how I eat, but don’t give a second thought as what they put in their mouths and how it will affect their health. This as they pop another pill, or inject themselves to control a plethora of diseases that ravage their body. Good health comes in the form of food, it won’t be found a magic pill or fad diet or labeled on a box. These are a collection of quotes from many individuals when questioned about the plant based lifestyle they follow.

“I could never give up my meat. I love it too much.”

“But avocados and olive oil are healthy fats.”

“So, you don’t care about plants? You know carrots scream when you pull them, right?”

“Where do you get your protein?”

“So…you’re in a cult?”

“We all have to die. So, why not enjoy yourself first?”

Well, what did you eat when you were a toddler?”

“So all you eat are fruits and salads”

“Wow that’s a lot of food! You eat all that?”

“I can’t believe you eat all those starches.”

“You need to eat protein.”

“You can’t do it with diet alone.”

“I could never give up cheese.”

“What DO you eat?”

“You can’t lose weight without exercising.”

” Well what’s left, what can you eat?”

“You do not even use olive oil? Olive oil is healthy.”

“I will literally die if I don’t eat meat!”

“Nuts are good for you, why no nuts?”

“You’re setting yourself up for osteoporosis and infertility.”

“Everything in moderation!”

“You’re food is nasty, I wouldn’t eat it!”

“What is hippie dust?”

“Carbs are so bad for you.”

“Animals are meant to be eaten.”

“I would get fat eating all those carbs!”

“Fish is not an animal, it’s healthy.”

“I can’t afford to eat like that.”

“The bible says we should consume meat.”

“I don’t have time for all of that cooking from scratch. It’s not realistic.”

“Come on…live a little!”

“I could never give up cheese or ice cream!”

“You need healthy fats!”

“You need fat to absorb vitamins.”

“Healing is much longer and harder when you are vegan (not enough protein).”

“Why can’t you eat normal?”

“Do you think maybe your diet caused the kidney stones?”

“You have to spend all day in the kitchen.”

“It is too expensive to buy the proper cooking tools.“

“You can’t tell me that you don’t miss a good piece of meat.”

“Why don’t you eat dried fruit? It’s good for you.”

“When you get to your goal weight, will you eat meat again?”

“You can add some nuts back in when you get to your goal. They are healthy. It won’t hurt you.”

“Where do you get your calcium? You need to drink milk don’t you.”

“That so extreme!”

“I can’t do that. Maybe if I had someone to do all the cooking for me.”

“Carbs are not your friend…”

“You’re not getting enough good fats and protein. No wonder you feel tired all the time.”

“Why do humans have the kind of teeth we have if we aren’t supposed to eat meat?”

“One time isn’t going to hurt you!”

“No, I’m actually a healthy weight for my height.”

“Are you trying to live forever?”

“Well what CAN you eat then?”

“Okay, what did you give up this time?”

“Humans need the vitamins found in meat.”

“What about all those GMOs and pesticides in vegetables, at least meat is clean.”

“I can’t do PD because I’m type O positive.”

“Soybeans cause cancer and soy gave me my thyroid problem.”

“I can’t give up coffee because I have to go to work.”

“I only eat organic fish.”

“You shouldn’t eat wheat it causes belly fat.”

“That’s not a complete protein!”

“Do you eat fish?”

“Seafood?”

“God created animals for us to eat.”

“Coconut oil is good for you, it is antibacterial, helps you lose weight, cures Alzheimer’s, cures cancer, blah, blah, blah. You can’t eat wheat or corn, those domestic crops are foreign to our bodies. I only eat grass fed organic meat and butter (grass fed butter?).”

“It won’t hurt you just this once to eat this.”

“It’s filled with things you don’t like to eat; meat, cheese, mayo…”

“You got to live a little.”

“One bite won’t hurt .”

“Is it a religious thing?”

“Your husband is going to get man boobs if he keeps eating all that soy.”

“Your kids are gonna crave meat anyway…why not give it to them and stop shoving your beliefs down their throats?”

“It’s extreme when you cut something, like meat or dairy out of your diet.”

We each make our own choices, but with obesity levels continuing to climb something must be be done. Could it go as far as government intervention? Possible. The USDA 2015 Dietary Guidelines are up in public domain for comment before finalization (thanks Lani Muelrath). “The federal committee responsible for nutrition guidelines is calling for the adoption of “plant-based” diets, taxes on dessert, trained obesity “interventionists” at worksites, and electronic monitoring of how long Americans sit in front of the television.” There is a demand to “reduce unhealthy options,” limit access to high calorie foods in public buildings, “limit the exposure” of advertisements for junk food, a soda tax, and taxing high sugar and salt items and dessert.” *source