Chook Me!

I am concerned about animal protein and meat as part of my diet?

firstly; how much protein does my body require on a daily basis? and does exercise contribute to the amount i should be consuming. i think that usually 3 proportions a day is adequate enough for a female (20 something, 5feet7 and 8stones) and this wouldnt change as i get older? should i be consuming less red meat than poultry or seafood, and why is this? farming?... diseases in animals; ie: blue tongue etc. a huge concern is animal hormones. What are the existing and long term effects this can have over my health? is organic produce a better option, how much better and why? finally, vegetarian protein. how much vegetarian protein should i be consuming compared to protein from meat, and why? is being a vegetarian a good idea. if so, than how will it benefit my health?

Public Comments

1. i treated my anaemia by become vegetarian and eat wholemeal food and home made juice. Also, with this diet women won't have so severe or any symptoms of PMS.
2. According to the Food Guide Pyramid, you only need 3 servings daily of protein foods. You can choose from animal protein, vegetarian protein, and low-fat dairy protein. It is best eaten in small quantities throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. About 1 cup or 8 oz of protein. Your best choices are white meat chicken, white meat turkey, egg whites, and fish, any type and shellfish, any type. Less red meat is best but if you want beef, pork or veal choose 95% lean. Organic meat is the best because it is never administered antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones, and are fed a strict vegetarian diet that never contains any animal by-products. Vegetarian protein is the same as animal protein 1 cup to 8 oz per day to stay within the Food Guide Pyramid. Balance is really key whether you choose to be a vegetarian or not. As long as you stay within the Food Guide Pyramid, your health will benefit either way.
3. Generally, a healthy diet is said to include: Sufficient calories to maintain a person's metabolic and activity needs, but not so excessive as to result in fat storage greater than roughly 30% of body mass (see Body fat percentage); Sufficient quantities of fat, including monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat and saturated fat, with a balance of omega-6 and long-chain omega-3 lipids; Maintenance of a good ratio between carbohydrates and lipids : four gramms of the first for one gramm of the second. Avoidance of saturated fat (although the "evidence" for this claim is forever in debate after the testimony of results provided by the Framingham Heart Study of 1948-1998) Avoidance of trans fat. Sufficient essential amino acids ("complete protein") to provide cellular replenishment and transport proteins; Essential micronutrients such as vitamins and certain minerals. Avoiding directly poisonous (e.g. heavy metals) and carcinogenic (e.g. benzene) substances; Avoiding foods contaminated by human pathogens (e.g. e. coli, tapeworm eggs); Avoiding chronic high doses of certain foods that are benign or beneficial in small or occasional doses, such as foods or substances with directly toxic properties at high chronic doses (e.g. ethyl alcohol); foods that may interfere at high doses with other body processes (e.g. refined table salt); foods that may burden or exhaust normal functions (e.g. refined carbohydrates without adequate dietary fibre). Other dietary practices commonly associated with vegetarianism Fruitarianism is a diet of only fruit, nuts, seeds, and other plant matter that can be gathered without harming the plant. Macrobiotic diet is a diet of mostly whole grains and beans. Not all macrobiotics are vegetarians as some consume fish. Natural hygiene in its classic form recommends a diet principally of raw vegan foods. Raw veganism is a diet of fresh and uncooked fruit, nuts, seeds, and vegetables. Dietary veganism - where vegans don't use animal products of any kind, dietary vegans restrict their veganism to their diet. Some terms for non-vegetarian diets are neologisms derived from the word "vegetarianism", used to describe a diet that accepts some subset of meat or seafood in addition to vegetarian diet: Pescetarianism — A diet in which the only animals consumed are fish or other seafood. Pollotarianism — A diet in which the only animals consumed are fowl. Semi Vegetarian - A diet in which meat is excluded and the only animals consumed are fish/seafood and poultry. Flexitarianism — A diet that consists primarily of vegetarian food, but that allows occasional exceptions. Freeganism — argues all commodities produced under capitalism, not only those from animal sources, contribute to exploitation and avoid buying anything, including food. Freegans thus focus on acquiring foods and other commodities by means other than purchasing, including foraging for wild plants and gardening with intent to cause as little violence and ecological destruction as possible through their consumption. While many freegans are vegans or vegetarians, others will eat animal products that would otherwise go to waste under the justification that doing this does not encourage further animal exploitation. Evidence suggests! that vegetarians are generally healthier and live longer than non-vegetarians. They have lower rates of coronary heart disease, obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. Vegetarian diets tend to be rich in carbohydrates, omega-6 fatty acids, dietary fibre, carotenoids, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium and magnesium. They are generally low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and animal protein. However, vegetarian diets can sometimes be relatively low in protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, calcium and other nutrients. Nonetheless, well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets can meet all these nutrient requirements and are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
4. I can answer this one for you cutie with some insight as well...As u know I am a soldier in Iraq right now and I recently had the same discussion with my workout partner at the gym. I go to the gym every day and have gained about 30 pounds in muscle weight. I am very proud of this but I didnt realize at the time that PROTEINS are the cause of this...Excersise is extremely important to break down proteins...It doesnt matter whether its vegetable protein or protein from meats, its all pretty much the same except your body breaks it down a little differently sometimes. Once you break your muscle down then to build muscle then you have to have more protein than usual. About 140g of protein a day! Thats a lot of protein for me. I normally get a little protein intake at breakfast, lunch, and dinner but I get nowhere near the amount I need...SO I drink protein shakes in between meals! Proteins are vital for staying in shape and vital for keeping all of your body healthy! Being a vegetarian is bad in my opinion because you can never get as much protein your body needs by eating only vegetables. Meats are the BEST source of protein for your body. Eating nothing but veggies eventually hurts your liver and can cause you to be weak all the time...I understand why some people feel its justified to be a vegetarian, but not this soldier! Bye for now cutie!!