The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is challenging you to take their 21-day Vegan Kickstart, a program set up to help people adopt a healthy vegan lifestyle. Starting Tuesday September 8, you are challenged to maintain a vegan diet for 21 days. And they're guessing that you'll be feeling so good after just 21 days that you might just make a vegan diet a permanent fixture in your life!
We've all heard that there is an obesity epidemic. According to the CDC, in 2008 only one state had obesity rates below 20%. Given the trend of the statistics for the rate of obesity, we can only assume that the obesity rate is still growing in 2009. Obesity is the leading cause of heart disease and type-2 diabetes, as well as some types of cancer, respiratory problems, and an array of other illnesses. According to the book Becoming Vegan by Brenda Davis, RD and Vesanto Melina, RD, vegans on average have much lower rates of obesity than do non-vegetarians, weighing nearly 10% less than their meat eating counterparts.
Overeating, and in particular overeating of unhealthy, nutrient deficient foods leads to many cases of obesity. Most of these foods are high in fat, high in calories, and high in cholesterol. Many of these unhealthy foods, like meat, cheese and other dairy products are physically addicting. According to Dr. Neal Barnard, MD, author of Breaking the Food Seduction and President of PCRM, meat, cheese and other dairy products contain casomorphins, which attach to the brain's opiate receptors and cause an effect that is similar to opiate drugs such as morphine and heroin. Dr. Barnard says that it can take just 3 weeks for these addictions to food to be broken, but that it's best to leave behind meat, cheese and dairy cold turkey, or more appropriately, cold tofu. By eating these in moderation you are just setting yourself up for failure and relapse. Just as you would with any drug you are addicted to, success requires stopping all together.
The PCRM is hoping that you will successfully break these food addictions and seductions on their 21-day Vegan Kickstart and be on the way to a happier, healthier you. To sign up to participate in the Vegan Kickstart and to receive daily tips, recipes and motivation via e-mail, visit the PCRM's petition site.
Need support locally, or help finding vegan suitable foods? Visit Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Market and speak with their helpful staff. The staff at Amazing Grace Whole Foods and Nutrition Center will also be happy to help you. Visit your neighborhood farmers market, and load up on fresh fruits and vegetables
For healthy vegan recipes visit: The Happy Vegan Yogini
Comments
Great idea! I'm already a vegan, but I encourage everyone to participate in this three-week program.
Okay Carrie, I'm a little late, but I'm starting today. I love dairy products, but I think I can give them up. They make me tired anyway.
Animal Rescue Examiner - Good Luck!! Contact me if you need support.
how much weight can you lose in a month on that type of diet?
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