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Here are some simple substitutions that can make switching to a vegan diet easier:
DAIRY :
Use non-dairy milks, silken tofu,nuts, and seeds (including butters like tahini),and coconut milk. Human breast milk is amazing – we should all be lucky enough to start off our lives on a pure diet of the stuff.Cow’s milk (or sheep’s or goat’s), on the otherhand, is meant for baby cows (or sheep orgoats). Not humans. We are the only species to consume another mammal’s milk, or anymilk, for that matter, after infancy.There are many comparable “milks”around these days made from beans, grains,and nuts, but not all non-dairy milks are createdequal; some milks are better for certain recipes. (Check those labels – some non-dairymilks get their “creeminess” from oil.) Health education specialist Annemarie Colbin suggests that we crave dairy when we need nurturing,but that it should be avoided if you suffer from congestion (colds, allergies, sinusinfections) or reproductive system issues (as you’re ingesting the by product of another species’ reproductive process).
EGG S:
Researching the practices of egg farming factories can be disturbing enough to immediately turn you off eggs. They are relatively easy to omit from your diet; if brunch is a big part of your life, start enjoying “scrambled”tofu and tofu quiches.
Baking, there are a number of egg-replacing options, including applesauce, mashed ripe banana, ground flax seeds, silken tofu, and powdered egg-replacer .
MEAT /PROTEIN :
Soy is a complete protein,so tempeh and tofu ( and even some of the higher quality Faux Meat ) are good sources of protein, as long as you can digest them comfortably. And, if your body can tolerate wheat, there are also “meaty” high protein wheat gluten products, like seitan,available. Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) areal so complete proteins, and legumes (beansand lentils) that are eaten with a whole grain provide all the essential amino acids and onlya tiny bit of fat. Nuts are a fine protein source,but they are high in fat. Though they provide healthy fats, too much fat in your diet can cause problems, most obviously regarding weight and circulation.
SUGAR :
If sugar is part of your diet (and hopefully only in moderation), research how the brand you buy has been refined, as refining conventional sugar sometimes involves a process that filters the sugar through charcoal that is made from animal bones. Organic sugar is not processed this way. Substitute also with fruit (like dates!), maple syrup,molasses, barley malt, agave nectar, brownrice syrup, and stevia. It is also important to consider the labor conditions under which the sugar was farmed .
The great soy debate
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