the great vegetarian debate

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
User avatar
DNS
Site Admin
Posts: 17191
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:15 am
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, Estados Unidos de América
Contact:

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by DNS »

alan wrote:Did you read about Dr. Price and his 30 years of research in the developing world?
I have read enough to know that he is mistaken and have read and experienced enough with the vegetarian diet to know that it works, in my opinion and for me.
:smile:
User avatar
Annapurna
Posts: 2639
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:04 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by Annapurna »

David N. Snyder wrote:
alan wrote: General health tips: Fish oil is good, Krill oil is far superior.
They are not vegetarian. If it is for the omega-3 benefits, those same benefits can be gained from eating flax seeds or walnuts.
High Fructose Corn Syrup=poison.
Trans-fats=poison.
Agree.
And avoid Tofu!
Why? I eat tofu all the time with no ill effects. I know there are some studies showing too much soy can cause some problems, but it is like anything; it must be done in reasonable levels. If someone eats pounds of tofu and soy milk everyday, all day long, there will be ill effects, in the same way if someone eats broccoli all day and nothing else. The diet must be well-balanced and include a variety of vegetarian/vegan foods.

There is no need for meat for any nutritional reason(s).
Agree.
User avatar
Annapurna
Posts: 2639
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:04 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by Annapurna »

alan wrote:Yes, Krill are animals, but there are hundreds of millions of them, and they constantly regenerate. If the primary concern is to avoid all animal products, ok, stay away. But as a general health tip it is a good thing to take Krill oil.
Everyone knows now about the health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. Krill oil delivers this in the most potent way. It also contains Astaxanthin. As for flax and walnuts, I'm all for it. But there is some debate about whether or not ALA is converted into Omega-3 in the body. I'll put my money on Krill oil for over all health benefits, for those not going very strictly veg.

As for Tofu,
I promise this is the last time I'll mention this site--westonaprice.org.
Krills are animals. Sentient beings.
If somebody truly wants to spare animals, krill can't be the choice.

Walnuts and other seeds in conjunct with raisins and other veggies will work together synergistically and do the job.

I'd rather hear in your own words what you have against soy...or a quick quote... :anjali:
alan
Posts: 3111
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:14 am
Location: Miramar beach, Fl.

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by alan »

I'll ask you all to go to the Amazon page: Nutrition and physical degeneration by Weston A. Price and read it. I find it compelling.
User avatar
Annapurna
Posts: 2639
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:04 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by Annapurna »

I agree that physical degeneration has to do with denatured food.

That's why i eat a lot of raw food.

I can FEEL how my energy goes down with too much denatured food, and I begin to crave raw food...sort of like:

I don't want anymore cake, gimmie an apple.
User avatar
Cittasanto
Posts: 6646
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:31 pm
Location: Ellan Vannin
Contact:

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by Cittasanto »

David N. Snyder wrote:
alan wrote:Did you read about Dr. Price and his 30 years of research in the developing world?
I have read enough to know that he is mistaken and have read and experienced enough with the vegetarian diet to know that it works, in my opinion and for me.
:smile:
I agree.
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
alan
Posts: 3111
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:14 am
Location: Miramar beach, Fl.

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by alan »

Took me a long time to accept that soy was not good for the health...I rejected it too, first time I heard it. Don't think I will change any minds.
And obviously the science of health is not what most people want to discuss. So:

How important is it to avoid killing sentient creatures, if their consumption keeps us healthier?
User avatar
Cittasanto
Posts: 6646
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:31 pm
Location: Ellan Vannin
Contact:

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by Cittasanto »

alan wrote: How important is it to avoid killing sentient creatures, if their consumption keeps us healthier?
How important is eating meat when there are options available which would keep the body healthy?
eating meat does not guarantee perfect health.
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
alan
Posts: 3111
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:14 am
Location: Miramar beach, Fl.

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by alan »

Yes Manapa but what about supplements like Krill oil?
User avatar
Annapurna
Posts: 2639
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:04 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by Annapurna »

alan wrote:
How important is it to avoid killing sentient creatures, if their consumption keeps us healthier?
The first precept, and not supporting wrong livelyhood is on the one side,
and self- centered needs for a body that will rot on the other.

Trying to maintain a body at the expense of other sentient beings.
Took me a long time to accept that soy was not good for the health...I rejected it too, first time I heard it. Don't think I will change any minds.
And obviously the science of health is not what most people want to discuss.
Please quote exacty which health issue you're concerned about.

Your assertion remains too vague to be able to reply.

Thank you.
User avatar
Cittasanto
Posts: 6646
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:31 pm
Location: Ellan Vannin
Contact:

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by Cittasanto »

alan wrote:Yes Manapa but what about supplements like Krill oil?
What about it?
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: I'm a new vegetarian! Some questions...

Post by tiltbillings »

alan wrote:Yes Manapa but what about supplements like Krill oil?
If you are looking for the omega oils, flax oil will do quite nicely.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
User avatar
bodhabill
Posts: 62
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:38 am
Location: NSW Australia
Contact:

Re: Poll: Are you vegetarian/vegan?

Post by bodhabill »

My partner has been vegetarian for a while, she never tried to convert me and I was happy to go with the flow most of the time

Big change happened when I went to India on a business trip, that was my introduction to Buddhism and at the same time went 100% vegetarian

Going vegetarian was easy in India, the vegetarian cuisine is so good

With Metta
Bill
"Complaining is finding faults, wisdom is finding solutions" Ajahn Brahm
User avatar
seekeroftruth
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:57 pm
Location: IL, USA

Re: Poll: Are you vegetarian/vegan?

Post by seekeroftruth »

Yes, for almost 2 yrs now. I wanted to become vegetarian a few years ago, after studying Buddhism for awhile, but only went to poultry, and that did not last. 2 years ago, I was introduced to a documentary, Meet your Meat, and saw how animals for food are treated and switched that day. Though I came to be vegetarian through caring about animals, I continue for environmental and my interpretation of the first precept as well.
"Better it is to live one day seeing the supreme Dhamma than to live a hundred years without ever seeing the supreme Dhamma" ~ Dhp 115
User avatar
BubbaBuddhist
Posts: 640
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:55 am
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Contact:

Re: Poll: Are you vegetarian/vegan?

Post by BubbaBuddhist »

The only time it's difficult is when wife & I go on our annual vacation to New Orleans. We spend a week there, and I practically starve to death. :tongue:

J
Author of Redneck Buddhism: or Will You Reincarnate as Your Own Cousin?
Post Reply