Variety, Balance, And Moderation
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Marion Nestle wrote in the San Fransisco Chronicle :
“meat is not an essential nutrient. I can think of many advantages to eating no meat, eating less meat or eating meat produced in ways that are far better for the health of people, the animals themselves and the planet.” [...]
“People who eat vegetarian diets are generally healthier than people who eat large amounts of meat.” [...]
“Think about it: Entire civilizations – in ancient Egypt, China and Mexico, for examples – were based on wheat, rice, beans or corn as sources of protein.”
Sounds good, right? Well it is.
However, she began by saying:
“Full disclosure: I eat meat. Humans are omnivores and I am one nutritionist who fully subscribes to the basic, if banal, principles of healthful diets: variety, balance and moderation.”
I also believe that humans are omnivores. I just don’t think that matters anymore. The reason humans are omnivores is so that we are capable of eating a wide variety of things when food sources are scarce. But it’s 2010, not the ice age. Food sources – for those of us on the web – are not scarce.
Eating animals today is unconscionable. It’s unconscionable for animal rights/welfare reasons. It’s unconscionable for environmental reasons. It’s unconscionable for public health reasons. It’s unsustainable. It’s immoral. And it’s not “natural.”
I also “subscribe to the basic, if banal, principles of healthful diets: variety, balance and moderation.” I just don’t view animals as food sources, in much the same way as I’m sure Marion Nestle doesn’t view humans as food sources, despite the fact that human flesh is a “complete protein.”
(Remember, we’re perfectly capable of eating human flesh. And in times of great need, humans have done exactly that. But our physical capability to eat human flesh does not justify eating people as a matter of course. can ≠ should)
As a vegan, I have no problem eating a diet that follows Nestle’s three basic principles. Here’s how I do it:
- variety - Eat a large range of plants thinking of variety in terms of color, texture, and taste. Eat from a variety of cultures, exploring new foods regularly.
- balance - Eat from all of the “vegan food groups“: fruit, vegetables, legumes, and grains.
- moderation - Keep the sugar and fat in check by eating mostly unprocessed foods, watching portion sizes, and monitoring actual hunger.
Well said Elaine. I remember the movie “Jurassic Park” in which a young scientist remarked: “You have been so busy concerning yourself with ‘can we do it?’ that you overlooked the question ’should we do it? Of couse humans can capture, enslave,and eat anything, but the question should be ’should they do it?’ Indeed most people today have to make a science of not eating things which cause a weight gain. Pity that they are unable to connect the dots regarding the non-exploitation of non-humans for food.
Harry Hebert´s last blog ..Quotes – Page 246
“We can eat meat” is a variation of the “we have canines” mantra… I always like to think that are morality has and should evlove beyond our dentures.
If someone today wants to “justify” eating animals, they need to remove themselves from “here”, and go far, far into the bush or into the polar regions. Then it becomes a question of survival and no one will fault your choices.
Bea Elliott´s last blog ..IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING, YOU DON’T KILL IT.
ooops! “evlove” – evolve… But you knew that!
Bea Elliott´s last blog ..IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING, YOU DON’T KILL IT.
Excellent points Elaine.
Our bodies can also ingest heroine and cocaine in moderate quantities. Try using that defence in court. “But Your Honor, cocaine is perfectly natural for my body!”
The story of Frankenstein also comes to mind. Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should…