Alright, I guess theres no better time than now, in light of all of the vegan/not vegan talk going on in the blogging world, to state my own opinion on the matter.
I have always been very up front with my food choices, and you have all seen my progression from a too-strict pescetarian, to a nutrition major trying to gain weight on a vegetarian diet, which I succesfully accomplished. Before coming to Italy, I had roughly made the decision to progress towards becoming a vegan.
Honestly, I'm sick of labels. It doesn't matter whether you're a vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, or carnivore! I feel as though eating healthy is doing what is right for YOU and no one else. If you feel the need to eat meat, great, eat meat. If you don't, don't. As long as you do it in a healthy way (i.e. less red meat, more lean meats or getting enough protein and fats as a vegan) I'm all for what makes each individual feel the healthiest.
Personally, I feel the healthiest when I abstain from most animal products, and eat as organically and naturally as possible.
Being in Italy, I realized that being vegan might not be the right choice for me.
I never, in a million years though that Italy would change my opinion on food so drasrtically. But I thought about it, and I forced myself to realize what I have always known is true.
I LOVE food. It truly is my passion. I love all sorts of foods. I love Italian food, I love Indian food, I love mexican food, middle eastern food, and I love vegan food.
I love good, healthy food that makes you feel good and tastes incredible.
I love fresh fruits and vegetables, bread right from the oven, vegan cupcakes and cookies, but I also LOVE fresh cheeses and really don't think I could live without gelato every now and again =)
I don't want to restrict myself because I feel the need to label myself as "vegan" or "vegetarian". All those who choose to live by those strict dietary restrictions and still maintain a healthy, balanced diet good for you. That is incredibly admirable, and I wish I could say I could do that without the occasional slipup.
But I have spent years coming to the point I am with food. I struggled for a very long time with food restriction, eating too much and then eating too little.
I am at the point now where I am at a comfortable relationship with food. I try not to eat too much or too little, eating when I'm hungry and stopping when I'm full. I'll have treats almost every day if they're small, and yes, I have splurge days every once in a while. But most of all I strive for a balance in the way I eat, I feel the best this way.
I have had no stomach problems here in Italy, even with my switch back to eating some dairy, and some fish. In fact, I have honestly never felt better.
This surprised me at first, and then I realized- it's because I'm finally eating the way I should be eating. I feel incredible. Walking every where, doing yoga, eating fresh, natural foods without preservatives or additives has made me feel better than I ever have. I don't have intense cravings (ok, except for the occasional gelato urge), I don't feel the need to snack on junk, I feel good after every meal.
I want to carry the pratice of eating mostly fresh, unprocessed foods back home with me because I am sure that is what has made the difference in the way I feel.
Being a vegetarian back home, I feel like I relied to much on some "fake" products, and need to focus on more natural ingredients because that is what my body truly needs.
I think for myself, eating a primarily vegan diet, yet without certain restrictions such as the occasional caprese salad, chocolate mousse or fresh caught fish is what makes me feel the best, and is the way I plan to continue living.
I'm not going to go ahead and start cooking up steaks or eating cheese at every meal, but I have discovered that not putting restrictions on myself has made me happier and healthier than ever. I look good, I feel good, and that's all that matters. Life is too short to not have the occasional cone of gelato or margherita pizza.
Kristin
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
7 comments:
Sounds like you have a great philosophy ;o)
That is honestly one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. It's quite incredible that Italy brought you back to, or even possibly re-introduced you to the "you, you knew you had in you" (wohhhh) all along! So stellar :)
I think your philosophy is wonderful, because it works so well FOR YOU. So often, we try to emulate the lifestyles of others, how they talk, what they do, how they do it, what they dress, say, eat, drink, etc. To come to terms with who YOU are, to actually be able to fully commit to being who YOU are is a marvel and Kris, I think you are a prime role model for all of us.
Cheers to you, baby girl!
What they dress? Try wear... Haha, that works better! (My B.)
That is wonderfully put and a great way of looking at food and the human relationship with it. It's so great that you have such a healthy and positive outlook on food and eating.
well said, keep having tons of fun!!
"It doesn't matter whether you're a vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, or carnivore! I feel as though eating healthy is doing what is right for YOU and no one else."
I don't know, doesn't morality come into play here. You must know as well as I do that farm animals are routinely mutilated (seared beaks, dehorning, branding, castration) before having their throats cut. And is it really all about "YOU" (as you uppercase the pronoun). I'm not trying to be an aggressive nag but maybe you should make yourself more aware of conditions on factory farms. See this video: http://meat.org
First of all, THANK YOU ALL for your kind words of support on my decision and food philosophy!
Moses-
I have seen that video, and in no way do I condone the maltreatment of animals, or the meat industry in America.
However, I have never claimed my original reasons for becoming a vegetarian were entirely morality based. No, I do not like the treatment of the animals. But personally, my reasons for not eating meat are primarily health and environmental reasons.
I used that statement as emphasis that I believe people should eat in a way that feels good to them, I was not implying they should NEVER think of anyone else, or the animals, etc.
Personally, I make the most effort possible to eat dairy and fish products that are either organic or as natural and local as possible, because I feel this is the best way to give back to both my body and the world if I choose to eat these products. I realize the incredible effects a vegan diet has on the body, the environment, the animals and the word. I am going to continue to live out my life on a primarily plant based diet. But I don't want to ever feel guilty about something I eat- so if I chose to eat fish or dairy or even meat one day (which is unlikely, but to make a point) it will be a conscious decision, and hopefully the best one for me at that point.
I strive to live in a way that makes me feel the best, because as Jenna from Eat, Live, Run put in one of her blog entries- you are all you've got.
I think she put this beautifully, because it's true. It's important to think about others, but in order to be the healthiest and happiest, I have to put myself first.
Everyone has and is entitled to their own opinions on the matter, and that's just mine.
Post a Comment