Ce inseamna de fapt “vegan”? Veganismul este un curent filosofic relativ nou, dar cu radacini pana in antichitate si care propune un mod de viata cu implicatii negative minime, in special pentru celelalte animale. Acest mod de viata include si o dieta axata pe consumul de plante, fara alimente de origine animala. Putem spune ca veganismul este forma extrema de vegetarianism. Exista diverse faze intermediare: fara carne, fara lactate si oua, chiar fara miere de albine. Avem insa si posibilitatea de a consuma in stare cruda (eventual procesate prin uscare sau alte procedee la rece): alimente de origine animala: carne, peste, icre, fructe de mare, oua, iaurt, branza din lapte crud. O alimentatie raw-vegana presupune excluderea unei mari parti dintre alimentele procesate, obtinute industrial, nenaturale: zahar, fainoase, uleiuri rafinate, mezeluri, aditivi alimentari. Apoi, toxinele rezultate din gatirea la temperaturi mari sunt practic eliminate. Pentru majoritatea plantelor (inclusiv nuci si seminte) continutul de poluanti este mai mic (raportat la numarul de calorii) decat in alimentele de origine animala, care pot concentra anumite substante chimice (dar care le pot inactiva pe altele). Aportul mare de fibre ajuta si flora intestinala de care depind elemente cum ar fi imunitatea, apetitul, chiar si starile psihice. Fibrele pot fixa anumite toxine in tubul digestiv si ajuta la eliminarea lor. Iata de ce o dieta raw-vegana poate fi considerata o dieta “detoxifianta”.
Ce limite intalnim?
Stiinta moderna arata ca exista nutrienti esentiali pe care ii gasim doar in alimente de origine animala sau care sunt asimilati mai bine din acestea: vitamina B12, vitamina A, fierul, zincul, omega 3 cu catena lunga (DHA- esential pentru sistemul nervos). Foarte importanta este asigurarea acestor nutrienti la copii si femeile insarcinate sau care alapteaza. Desi pentru veganii care au la dispozitie o diversitate mare de alimente aportul de aminoacizi (proteine) poate fi asigurat, exista in permanenta acest risc, avand in vedere cantitatile mici de proteine si/sau proportiile dezechilibrate de aminoacizi gasiti in cele mai multe vegetale. De exemplu, femeile care consuma alimente bogate in colagen constata o imbunatatire a aspectului pielii. Cea mai mare capcana este sa se considere ca o persoana care nu functioneaza bine cu o anumita dieta, desi se straduieste sa respecte regulile si principiile, are o “vina” in aceasta situatie. Nu este vina ta daca nu functionezi optim cu o dieta vegana, poti diversifica dieta cu alimente sanatoase si te poti simti mult mai bine.
Raw-vegan diet: advice from Cristian Margarit
What does “vegan” actually mean? Veganism is a relatively new philosophical currents, but with ancient roots and proposing a lifestyle with minimal negative implications, especially for other animals. This lifestyle includes a diet focused on eating plants, no animal foods. We can say it’s an extreme form of vegetarianism. There are various intermediary phases: no meat, no dairy and eggs, even no honey. However, we have the opportunity to eat raw (possibly processed by drying or other processes cold) animal foods: meat, fish, eggs, seafood, yogurt, cheese from raw milk. Eating a raw-vegan meal means the exclusion of a large part of processed foods, industrial and unnatural: sugar, flour, refined oils, sausages, food additives. Then toxins from cooking at high temperatures are virtually eliminated. For most plants (including nuts and seeds) pollutant content is lower (compared to the number of calories) than animal foods, which can focus certain chemicals (but they can inactivate the other). High fiber intake helps the intestinal flora that depends on factors such as immunity, appetite, even mental health. The fibers can fix certain toxins in the digestive tract and helps eliminate them. This is why raw-vegan diet can be considered a “detoxifying” diet.
What limitations do we encounter?
Modern science shows that there are essential nutrients that we find only in foods of animal origin or are assimilated better of them: B12, vitamin A, iron, zinc, omega-3 long-chain (DHA- essential for the nervous system). Very important is providing these nutrients in children and pregnant or nursing women. Although for vegans who have access to a great diversity of food intake of amino acids (protein) can be secured, there is always that risk, given the small amounts of protein and / or unbalanced proportions of amino acids found in most vegetables. For example, women who consume foods rich in collagen an seeing an improvement in skin appearance. The biggest trap is to consider that a person who works well with a certain diet, although strives to respect the rules and principles has a “fault” in this situation. It is not your fault if you do not work well with a vegan diet, you can diversify your diet with healthy foods and you can feel better.