AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON VEGETARIAN

Is a Vegetarian Diet Healthy?

A vegetarian lifestyle is more environmentally friendly. However, humans have consumed meat for millennia, and a small amount may be necessary for your health.

In general, Vata types have the hardest time staying healthy with a vegetarian diet. However there are exceptions! Pitta Kapha people, on the other hand, often need less meat than they think.

Transitioning to a Vegetarian Lifestyle

The transition to a vegetarian diet can take years, even generations. Forgive your body for these shortcomings. Even if your intentions are perfect, your body is still attached to the earth.

Start slowly to keep your metabolism stable and cravings at a minimum.

For example, trying cutting out red meat gradually (over a few years). See how you feel. Get bi-annual blood tests to monitor nutritional deficiencies.

Try reducing the quantity and frequency of other meats slowly, instead of cutting them out 'cold turkey!' For example having a piece of chicken once a week and then once a month might be a more stable way to transition.

Recommendations for vegetarian based protein sources include sunflower seeds, hemp seed, quinoa, mung beans, and tofu. Beans are an excellent source of protein in general but may provoke Vata. Cheese is a great protein source but is more difficult to digest and Kapha provoking.

Vegan Diets

Vegans are vegetarians who don't eat dairy products or eggs. Typically Pitta Kapha individuals are the best fit for a vegan diet. A vegan diet can be challenging to Vata and Kapha individuals, depending on the strength of their blood (rakta dhatu).

A vegan diet, because it is such a strict and austere diet, can degenerate into orthorexia, hypersensitivity, and anxiety over food choices.

Some individuals may find a vegan diet depleting. This can be especially true if you are a Vata predominant person living in a predominantly dry and cold climate. Taurine amino acid levels were found to be significantly lower in vegans. A vegan diet may also reduce the bile acid pool.

Some of the conditions that may indicate your body is overly depleted due to a vegan diet include:

• Amenorrhea
• Anemia
• Vitamin B deficiencies

The intention behind adopting a vegan diet is often benevolent, however the consequences may be harmful. From an Ayurvedic perspective, it's important to consider whether your body can handle a vegan diet.

Finding A Middle Ground

• Livers - The animal is rarely killed for its liver. So you don't have to feel guilty that the animal died for you.
• Bone broths - Same reasoning as livers.
• Minimizing meat consumption - Seeing meat as an herb rather than a macronutrient. Eat a meatball sized portion of meat once a week on the weekend.

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