Nutritional fanaticism II: the Vegan Extreme

Extremely low carbers ranked # 1 in diet fervency, then calling extreme vegans a "a".

As part of my preamble (stop me if you've heard this before) I'm not a single group with the same broad line painting and this is no different for vegans.

For the purposes of this piece I'm going to categorize vegetarians and vegans together-that just because one is more "strict" does not mean that they are any more or less susceptible to fanatical behaviour.

The "cult-like-ness" of a power supply ideology is not so much in the diet itself, but in the way it is practiced. If there is a clear difference in terms of how vegan cults vs. the extremely low carb would work the emotional/ethical investment.

Here are some criteria for what I find to "meaningful" and what I feel like "fanatical" in terms of vegan-practitioners.

Decide to eschew animal products is rooted in personal ethics and not science.The practice in a "non-judgemental" way.Those who practice with little hypocrisy (wear leather, feeding pets product of animal origin, etc.).Those who accept the idea that a healthy diet has nothing to do with the presence or absence of animal products.PETA followers/supportersThose that anyone who eat animal products "unfriendly" environmentally friendly elitism label those who believe that eating animal products (in any amount) negative health effects.Those who use the "lipid theory" to validate veganism-namely that cholesterol or saturated fat is correlated with heart disease. Use the Physicians Committee for responsible medicine as a scientific "authority".Too much protein will make of your kidneys burn spontaneously. The study of China is infallible soy and other vegetable proteins is every bit as good as meat sources of protein.

Straw man: "It's better than that" stuff your face with steak and cheese Atkins Diet ".

Appeal to Authoriy: "Just read the China Study, Dr. Ornish says ...,

Ideological support/Appeal to emotions: "Animals eat is cruel ..." "The eating of meat is a disaster for the environment."

Physicians Committee for responsible medicine
Fat free Vegan
PETA

Probably a ton of them-although admittedly I haven't read a lot of them. Here are a few of the more prominent examples;

The China study:An interesting observational account which is heavily skewed in favour of low-meat diets. Again see that some populations have survived and even flourished on plant-based diets. For a comprehensive refutation of t. Colin Campbell's tome the Denise Minger piece, check out.

Skinny Bitch (and skinny Bastard): The foul-mouthed bestseller by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnoin is high on noise but low on evidence. Praised for their "no-nonsense" and "in your face" approach, I think they thought if they do enough shock value used to convey their point, the people would just forget that their book is a lot of ostrich poop. Here's a criticism of the book well thought out by Jamie Hale

I don't care for the fear and intimidation tactics used by militant vegan groups such as PETA nor do I have a lot of tolerance for the skewed science of PCRM. I support and, to some extent admire those who have chosen to swear off meat for ethical reasons. Yes, you can be healthy and thrive on vegetarian and/or vegan diets. Those who carry a model of vegans as weak or tar-I hope you never say that within earshot of UFC Fighter Mac Danzig or (if you happen to be on ice) former hockey enforcer Georges Laraque.

In fact, I follow the work of some world-renown strength coaches who happen to be vegan such as; Jason Ferrugia Mike Mahler , and Robert Dos Remedios.

On the other hand, there is an abundance of heavily skewed information from agenda-driven vegan groups. One needs careful figuring out impartial information on vegetarianism/veganism or eating meat in General. Also, some people just don't do well at meat-free diets. Nothing wrong with being a "flexitarian" in my books.

Anyone have any suggestions for both sites sensible or cultish Vegan/Vegetarian?

Image Credit: t-shirt guru