WEBBTIDE 2001-2002 @ SHORELINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Volume 37 No.14 Apr. 26 - May 09, 2002 [ ARCHIVE ] [ FEEDBACK ] [ HELP ]
[Home] [Cover] [A & E] [Opinion] [Features] [News] [Sport]

Brave enough to go cold tofu?

.
      So you've been flirting with this idea of becoming a vegetarian. Or maybe you haven't, but you can't help notice the growing trend around you. Restaurants flying banners reading "Vegetarian Options!", articles and recipes in the paper for meat-free meals, the introduction of the McVeggie from McDonald's and its equivalent from Burger King.
      Even Denny's now has a garden burger on the menu. So you're thinking: What's the big deal? You probably have a lot of questions. Here are the answers.
      Q. Isn't vegetarianism some sort of new-fangled hippy thing?
      A. Not by a long shot. Vegetarianism has been around as long as civilization. In the East, many sects of Buddhism dictate a vegetarian diet, as well as some Hindu.
      Western vegetarianism was established officially by Pythagoras (remember the Pythagorean Theorem from your eighth grade geometry class? Same guy.) Notable vegetarians in history include Tolstoy, Einstein, Da Vinci, Emerson, Kafka, Thoreau and Buddha. Thomas Jefferson consciously consumed very little meat, using it "more as a condiment for his vegetables."
      Q. Can I get adequate nutrition from a vegetarian diet?
      A. The formation of the traditional Food Pyramid, which recommends two to three servings daily of both dairy and meat, causes many people to believe that a vegetarian diet will not provide all of the essential nutrition required for optimal health.
      Scientific data even suggests positive relationships between a vegetarian diet and reduced risk for several chronic degenerative diseases and conditions, including obesity, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and some types of cancer. This positive effect can be attributed to the fact that vegetarian diets are often lower in saturated fat, cholesterol, and contain no animal proteins; all things which have been shown to cause heart disease.
      The diet is also higher in fiber, antioxidants (Vitamins C and E) and complex carbohydrates than the typical omnivorous diet. This is because of the increased intake of fruits, vegetables and grains, all of which are rich in vitamins and minerals. A well-balanced vegetarian diet can not only meet nutritional requirements, but also improve health and quality of life.
      There is often concern about a vegetarian diet because of the common misconception that meat is the sole source for protein. In reality, the plant world is filled with protein-providing sources. Although soy products, beans and nuts are the most concentrated sources of vegan protein, protein can also be found in many vegetable and grains. It is therefore a simple task to meet the daily-recommended amount of protein.
      Vegetarian diets also tend to be lower in calcium, however it has not been shown that vegetarians have any more risk of osteoporosis than someone who consumes a typical Western diet does. Calcium can be well absorbed from many plant foods, and many new vegetarian foods fortified with calcium are now available on the market.
      Meal Planning for Vegetarian Diets:
      The following guideline should be followed by anyone considering switching to a vegetarian lifestyle:
      Choose a wide variety of foods including whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
      Choose whole (organic), unrefined foods whenever possible to minimize intake of highly sweetened or fatty foods. For children and adolescents, including some foods higher in unsaturated fats such as nuts, seeds, avocado, and vegetable oils will help to meet nutritional and energy needs.
      If you find going "cold tofu" difficult, try cutting out just red meat, or lessening your intake of meat to one serving a day. As with any lifestyle change, consult a health care practitioner before switching to assure adequate nutrition.
      Q. What will I do when I eat out? Is there anything to order besides a side salad?
      A. Of course! Any Indian, Chinese, or Thai restaurant should have the option of replacing the meat with tofu. At Italian restaurants, get any of the dishes with marinara, not meat sauce.
      As I mentioned earlier, restaurants are becoming more and more accommodating to vegetarians, so many of the typical "American-fare" restaurants have vegetarian burgers as an option. And one thing you'll be pleasantly surprised about: dishes without meat typically cost a couple dollars less.
      Q. I remember tofu as some squishy tasteless thing my mom made me eat when she was on one of her health kicks! You expect me to live off that stuff???
      A. As a result of the increasing popularity of vegetarian diets, meat substitutes have come a long way in the past decade. Products such as Boca and garden burgers are available at almost any grocery store, and many people swear they can't tell the difference between them and beef.
      Honestly though, here's some advice from someone who has been a vegetarian for seven years: Don't compare meat substitutes to the meat they're supposed to taste like. You are bound to be disappointed if you expect something made of wheat gluten and soy to taste and feel like chicken. Instead, try to experience the substitute as a whole new food, with its own unique flavor and texture.
      If you're still scared of tofu, try going to an upper scale vegetarian restaurant and trying one of their dishes. Like everything else, the secret is in the quality of preparation. Feeling more daring? Try out one of the recipes listed here at home.
      So there you have it. The reasons for becoming vegetarian are plentiful. Health, social responsibility, and a tight budget are just a few. Still need convincing? Look at all the celebs that are doing it! Gillian Anderson and David Duchoveny from the X-Files (back when it was still good), Lisa Simpson, the Beastie Boys, Moby, and despite his name, Meatloaf! C'mon kids, all the cool people are doing it! Why shouldn't you?

.

by Jaime Coplan

[Home] [Cover] [A & E] [Opinion] [Features] [News] [Sport]

wEbbtide Webmaster: Henry Lai

Brave enough to go cold tofu?
.	So you've been flirting with this idea of becoming a vegetarian. Or maybe you haven't, but you can't help notice the growing trend around you. Restaurants flying banners reading "Vegetarian Options!", articles and recipes in the paper for meat-free meals, the introduction of the McVeggie from McDonald's and its equivalent from Burger King. Even Denny's now has a garden burger on the menu. So you're thinking: What's the big deal? You probably have a lot of questions. Here are the answers. Q. Isn't vegetarianism some sort of new-fangled hippy thing? A. Not by a long shot. Vegetarianism has been around as long as civilization. In the East, many sects of Buddhism dictate a vegetarian diet, as well as some Hindu. Western vegetarianism was established officially by Pythagoras (remember the Pythagorean Theorem from your eighth grade geometry class? Same guy.) Notable vegetarians in history include Tolstoy, Einstein, Da Vinci, Emerson, Kafka, Thoreau and Buddha. Thomas Jefferson consciously consumed very little meat, using it "more as a condiment for his vegetables." Q. Can I get adequate nutrition from a vegetarian diet? A. The formation of the traditional Food Pyramid, which recommends two to three servings daily of both dairy and meat, causes many people to believe that a vegetarian diet will not provide all of the essential nutrition required for optimal health. Scientific data even suggests positive relationships between a vegetarian diet and reduced risk for several chronic degenerative diseases and conditions, including obesity, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and some types of cancer. This positive effect can be attributed to the fact that vegetarian diets are often lower in saturated fat, cholesterol, and contain no animal proteins; all things which have been shown to cause heart disease. The diet is also higher in fiber, antioxidants (Vitamins C and E) and complex carbohydrates than the typical omnivorous diet. This is because of the increased intake of fruits, vegetables and grains, all of which are rich in vitamins and minerals. A well-balanced vegetarian diet can not only meet nutritional requirements, but also improve health and quality of life. There is often concern about a vegetarian diet because of the common misconception that meat is the sole source for protein. In reality, the plant world is filled with protein-providing sources. Although soy products, beans and nuts are the most concentrated sources of vegan protein, protein can also be found in many vegetable and grains. It is therefore a simple task to meet the daily-recommended amount of protein. Vegetarian diets also tend to be lower in calcium, however it has not been shown that vegetarians have any more risk of osteoporosis than someone who consumes a typical Western diet does. Calcium can be well absorbed from many plant foods, and many new vegetarian foods fortified with calcium are now available on the market. Meal Planning for Vegetarian Diets: The following guideline should be followed by anyone considering switching to a vegetarian lifestyle: Choose a wide variety of foods including whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Choose whole (organic), unrefined foods whenever possible to minimize intake of highly sweetened or fatty foods. For children and adolescents, including some foods higher in unsaturated fats such as nuts, seeds, avocado, and vegetable oils will help to meet nutritional and energy needs. If you find going "cold tofu" difficult, try cutting out just red meat, or lessening your intake of meat to one serving a day. As with any lifestyle change, consult a health care practitioner before switching to assure adequate nutrition. Q. What will I do when I eat out? Is there anything to order besides a side salad? A. Of course! Any Indian, Chinese, or Thai restaurant should have the option of replacing the meat with tofu. At Italian restaurants, get any of the dishes with marinara, not meat sauce. As I mentioned earlier, restaurants are becoming more and more accommodating to vegetarians, so many of the typical "American-fare" restaurants have vegetarian burgers as an option. And one thing you'll be pleasantly surprised about: dishes without meat typically cost a couple dollars less. Q. I remember tofu as some squishy tasteless thing my mom made me eat when she was on one of her health kicks! You expect me to live off that stuff??? A. As a result of the increasing popularity of vegetarian diets, meat substitutes have come a long way in the past decade. Products such as Boca and garden burgers are available at almost any grocery store, and many people swear they can't tell the difference between them and beef. Honestly though, here's some advice from someone who has been a vegetarian for seven years: Don't compare meat substitutes to the meat they're supposed to taste like. You are bound to be disappointed if you expect something made of wheat gluten and soy to taste and feel like chicken. Instead, try to experience the substitute as a whole new food, with its own unique flavor and texture. If you're still scared of tofu, try going to an upper scale vegetarian restaurant and trying one of their dishes. Like everything else, the secret is in the quality of preparation. Feeling more daring? Try out one of the recipes listed here at home. So there you have it. The reasons for becoming vegetarian are plentiful. Health, social responsibility, and a tight budget are just a few. Still need convincing? Look at all the celebs that are doing it! Gillian Anderson and David Duchoveny from the X-Files (back when it was still good), Lisa Simpson, the Beastie Boys, Moby, and despite his name, Meatloaf! C'mon kids, all the cool people are doing it! Why shouldn't you?	.
by Jaime Coplan