Had a really hard week, but really satisfied with the results. I got some data (I want to say a lot, but it's not quite true...still, more than before), I tried an independent idea, I went to two workshops (Time Management and Python Resources for Science and Engineering), I jogged twice, I had an hour-long and very productive conversation with my advisor regarding research, funding, and summer vacation (possibly a trip to Russia?). Spent 14 hour days on campus. Cooked for myself, maybe twice. Anyway. Made me think that the best, most satisfying weeks, are the ones where you do a lot of work and can be proud of yourself :).
When I was at home last weekend, my mom leaned back and hit her head on the doorjamb on accident. While she was wincing and rubbing it, I asked if I should "kiss it and make it better." She goes "sure." Then when I did it, she tells me in a shocked voice: "wow, that actually worked!" Apparently she had always thought it was a way to calm kids down when they weren't actually hurt, just asking for attention. Live and learn, I guess? Go placebos!
Anyway...I'm cold, I have hw, taxes, and an episode of FNL to finish :). Also, Avenue Q on Friday! *excitement*
This quibble is irrelevant to anything you're trying to say, but
ReplyDelete"you need meats"
No. It's not that hard to eat a balanced (and even fairly high-protein) diet without meat. It does take some adjustment for the digestive system, some reworking of what it means to be a meal, some watching any new cravings that develop, but a high-quality vegetarian diet is not hard.
Hm, maybe I should write a post about my path to vegetarianism. I wonder if that would be useful to anyone.
To add my 2 cents to the discussion:
ReplyDeleteI've been doing a little research on vegan/vegetarian diets recently, and it appears that it's true, one doesn't actually need meats. However, the vitamin B12 occurs naturally only in animal products, so vegans are at a risk of developing B12 deficiency. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12#Sources) In fact, if the vegan diet consists only of products growing in the ground, which are then well washed, it will contain no more than trace amounts of vitamin B12, invariably leading to an eventual B12 deficiency. (http://www.ajcn.org/content/48/3/852.full.pdf)
Though the minimal daily amount of the vitamin needed is actually very small (~0.25ug/day), which is why vegetarians generally don't run that risk. And given the current amount of meat ingestion in American society, it can definitely be curbed by a lot, before there is any concern of deficiency.
In conclusion, it's probably good to substitute some meat in the diet with plant products, but people need to be aware how exactly eliminating it completely will affect their nutrient intake and adjust accordingly.
@Eve: Yay, I love your cents! :D
ReplyDeleteFrom what I read, the reason all vegans don't immediately become depressed and lethargic is that excesses of B12 can actually be stored in the body for a long time (perhaps an evolution for winter = bad hunting weather?). However, if that stockpile runs out, it takes some time of consuming an excess to replenish so that one can go without. Finally, the ~25 ug is a guideline, but I'm sure different people have different needs (I'm in a situation where I'm susceptible to a deficit of B-vitamins :\ I believe because more of them get converted to somethin' somethin'?).
Also, there is reason to believe that American overconsumption of meat has more to do with the serving sizes than frequency (no, you can't have a 12 oz steak for dinner every night). I tend to stick to less-than-a-fist-size piece for regular day-to-day dinner. When my dad makes steak, all bets are off ;)