Bodybuilding for a Vegetarian - Lifestyle Pros and Cons of Vegetarians
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Few topics provoke more vehement opposition than the "ethicality" of a vegetarian lifestyle. Understandably it's a touchy subject. I feel
the reason for such unyielding opinions on both sides of the issue is the validity of the opposing positions. Much like the controversy
surrounding pro-life or pro-choice, both sides are absolutely correct in their assumptions.
The old axiom about never discussing politics or religion can very well apply to vegetarianism. It simply is not a right or wrong issue.
No amount of debate will sway what is an intrinsic belief This is where I come in. Controversy? I live for it. Stepping on toes is what I
do. It keeps me sharp. Nothing excites me more than to hear a point of view that makes me see things in a whole new light.
But how does the choice to be vegetarian affect you as a bodybuilder? Well, for one thing, many people argue that a meat-free is far more
healthful, saturated fats, indigenous to animal products, provide no dietary benefits. They are (supposedly) the major cause of hardening
of the arteries and high cholesterol levels as well as being suspected of accelerating several forms of cancer. Supplemental protein such
as the type found in meal replacements contains superior protein isolates, so eating meat for its protein content seems unwarranted, then
why do so many bodybuilders swear that the only way to get big is to eat lots of meat? As one particularly large acquaintance of mine
says, "If it walks, swims or flies, I eat it!"
One reason for these carnivorous tendencies is the feeling that meat "makes you strong." People presumed that creatine content in red meat
accounted for the surge in strength, but a 12-ounce steak has only about five grams of creatine. Anyone who is familiar with creatine
supplementation will agree that creatine certainly causes an increase in strength, yet five grams of supplemental creatine does not seem
to have the same kick of strength that a thick, juicy steak provides. I know of several ex-vegetarians who claim they felt as if they
could "tear down walls" once they started eating meat again. Perhaps it's the iron or the vitamin B 12. Maybe it's some other micro-nutrient
that has yet to be discovered. Maybe the explanation is simply that the molecules in flesh, for some reason, can more easily be converted
into flesh - i.e., muscle tissue. Whatever the rationale, apparently the process of muscle-building may be hampered without the intake of
generous portions of meat, especially beef.
This idea makes sense. We are biologically designed to eat meat, How so? Glad you asked. Animals that are pure vegetarians have blunt teeth.
Carnivores have fangs. Humans have blunt teeth and two "fangs" known as "eye teeth" since they are positioned beneath each eye. At the very
least this arrangement means that for several thousand years humans have been eating both meat and plants. (The technical term for such
species is omnivore.) After so many years of maintaining this form of sustenance, a sudden halt in the process would be unnatural. As a
matter of fact, virtually no animals are purely vegetarian. Horses ingest insects in the hay they eat. Apes, also thought to be strictly
vegetarian, eat insects and will eat cooked meat in captivity.
Evidently the only reason for not eating meat would be either you don't like the taste or the concept of eating an animal is somehow ethically,
spiritually or morally wrong. I can respect that belief That is why I purposely gave up eating meat myself for a while. On further evaluation,
however, I realized there was no true logic in the concept. I was kidding myself I had to admit! was guilty of nothing more than hypercritical
moralizing. The truth is, I have yet to hear an argument for vegetarianism that holds water.
Let's start with the "I don't eat meat, just fish once in a while" argument. What kind of statement is that? I think a fish has as much right
to live as a cow does. Is killing "once in a while" somehow less egregious than killing on occasion? Sorry I don't buy it. Are vegetarians
healthier? Not the ones I've seen. If compared to everyone else, maybe, but not compared to health-conscious meat-eaters. Cholesterol is more
determined by genetic factors than by dietary intake. Animal rights? People have a hard enough time respecting one another's rights.
How about the persons who wear leather jackets, yet wallow in their holier-than-thou dogma because they don't eat meat? I won't even address
those morons who avoid meat because vegetarianism is "fashionable". Would these same people allow vermin to share their living quarters? It's
life, isn't it? Every time you clean your house you're killing life forms. They may be small, but where do we draw the line? (Some people
draw the line at any animal that can do amusing tricks.) If you want to get really spiritual, who's to say an apple doesn't feel pain when
it is picked from the tree? Apples have circulatory systems and reproductive systems. Just because we can't hear it scream when its life is
taken doesn't mean it didn't have a right to live its life to the fullest.
Okay, so I'm taking it a little "out." Still, I think the point is a valid one. For the survival of some species other organisms must die.
It's cruel. It's harsh. But that's life. No one is above the process. For athletes, choosing a meat-free diet is comparable to swimming with
lead boots on. It can be done, but progress will be considerably hindered. There are exceptions. I'm sure I'll be reminded of many of them
once this article hits the stands, but all in all a lot more planning will be required in the way of preparing meals in advance. If you're
on the run a lot, getting a quick protein meal isn't so easy when you're a vegetarian.
If you still feel you must choose a vegetarian lifestyle, the best advice I can give would be to make sure you take in as many different
sources of supplemental protein as possible. (Some "veggers" eat eggs, the argument being that an egg isn't yet a life. Whatever) Whey protein
has the highest bio-availability, but other protein sources seem to have advantages as well. Milk protein contains lactoferrin and colostrum.
Soy protein has isoflavones which are thought to have immune-enhancing and estrogen-suppressing properties. Supplemental creatine intake is
essential for an athlete on a meat-free diet. Taking some extra B complex wouldn't be a bad idea either.
There was a time when, if a friend was eating a plate of lettuce and carrots for lunch, I would exclaim, "That's not food that's what food
eats!" I'm a much more sensitive person these days. Now I just enjoy my roast chicken or rack of ribs and politely smile. I know he wants
some.
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