Hunters? or Gatherers? It’s really up to you but there are some things you should know and a vital nutrient you have to be aware of if you chose the later.
Quite often we get asked the question, what were we supposed to eat? Our answer very simply is Meat, Veggies, Fruits, Nuts and Seeds. But every once in a while we hear the argument that we were not intended to eat meat at all.
Now before I go on. This is not an Anti Vegan/Vegetarian post. This is simply a post to look at some of the facts and maybe options. I realize that there are a lot of well meaning people out there, most of them mislead, and some of them that chose that lifestyle for ethical reasons and that’s fine but you should know some of the science behind it as well as the options.
If its the treatment of Animals, you should be aware that there are other alternatives to feed lot animals. I agree that there is a better way and feed lots are a horrible thing. (Check out Polyface Farms for a better option) Try to find local pasture finished animals. These animals live a natural healthy existence in a more natural environment. Not exposed to the disease infested, over crowded, malnourished, feed lots. Local Farmers Markets can be a great resource for this.
Being a biologist I believe everything is alive, Plant and Animal. Choosing to Kill one life form over the other for moral reasons does not make any sense to me.
“If killing is the problem, the life of one grass-fed cow will feed me for an entire year. But a single vegan meal of plant babies–rice grains, almonds, soybeans–ground up or boiled alive, will involve hundreds of deaths. Why don’t they matter?”…. Lierre Keith, Vegetarian Myth (4)
Digestive systems vary greatly. I often here the comment….look at Beef Cattle, they are huge and tons of muscle and they eat grass!” well yeah but they are ruminants, have four stomachs designed to digest it and have to re-chew it, (chew a cud) as well as eat non stop all day.
The smoking gun… One of the blatant truths about our biology is that we need Vitamin B12. Our only resource for this naturally is animal source proteins. Animals don’t actually make it but its made by a bacteria found in animals that we eat. So to say we are only meant to be gatherer the concept falls apart here. Without out it, it could lead to irreversible nerve damage, anemia, fatigue, mania, and depression. Good sources of B12 are. Clams, Oysters, Mussels, Liver Caviar, Octopus, Fish, Crab, lobster, Beef. (2)
If you are considering Veganism for whatever reason you should be aware of this vital nutrient. There are synthetic versions available but not as good as getting it naturally. Do your research. I highly recommend reading “The Vegetarian Myth” by Lierre Keith.
If you have any questions please email us at info@paleoforpower.com and we’d be happy to answer your questions in an upcoming post!
References:
1. The Vegetarian Resource Group;Vitamin B12 in the Vegan Diet
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/b12.php
2. Top 10 Foods Highest in Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-vitamin-B12.php
3. Protein Power Lifeplan, Dr. Michael Eades and Dr, Mary Dan Eades
4. The Vegetarian Myth, Lierre Keith
5. Search for the perfect Human Diet, CJ Hunt (2012)
