vegetarians

It's funny how defensive people get about food. It is a rather sensitive subject, what other thing do we all have in common, that we need to survive, but that is also intricately connected with our families, heritage, emotion, mood, health, vitality and more?

When I started eating more vegetarian, 10 years ago, I had the idea that it was best for everyone, those other people just didn't know that yet. I don't think that anymore. I do think, that we, as a nation, consume too much meat, of all kinds. But the idea of one diet being perfect for everyone seems very far from the truth. Each of us has a different body, different blood, different cells, and different genetic predispositions. While some of the basic workings are the same for everyone, if you don't pay attention how your body responds to what you consume, you are missing a big piece of the puzzle.

Aside from the general question of health, with so many issues bound up with the question of food (not least of all emotional), my question is, how do we start a dialogue with everyone, with each other, about food and health? I was introduced to someone last week who took one look at me and said "You're so skinny, I hope you aren't a vegetarian!"... Unfortunately, the person who introduced me, mistakenly said that I was. I tried to explain, that I'm not a strict vegetarian, I have added fish and poultry into my diet, that it's not about restriction...but it was too late.

She tells me "Oh I tried that once, but it just doesn't work". Already, I'm unsure what she means, what didn't work? What did she want it to do? Does it mean that everyone who is doing it now is wrong? But she seemed uninterested in dialogue. As she was walking away she tries to get in one last assertion, sure that she won't have to have a conversation to back it up: "You need protein, people need protein" (or maybe she even said "meat").

And so I'm left with the question, how do we start a dialogue? She made me feel attacked, and even insulted, as if I don't know that people need protein? It felt pre-emptive, as though she was afraid I would have taken a hard line, tried to convert her.

All I can do is try to stay open. I think what's more important than restrictions, especially at the beginning of learning about health, is how to add in positive, healthy foods to your normal routine. When you realize that eating fresh green veggies and whole grains might even make you feel better than you normally do, it makes you want to eat them again!

So what are our barriers to eating better? Some of mine are: social situations, energy or time to cook or plan delicious and nutritious food stuffs, expense of buying the good stuff or the better stuff as opposed to the crappy stuff, feeling still hungry after making a yummy nutritious meal which feels discouraging...

I think if we put our heads together we can overcome some of these difficulties. It's worth it when you know you'll be living better and longer and healthier.