Why Plant-Based? (or go straight to links below):
My background: BSc in Ecology, MSc in Human ecology, worked in nature conservation, musician, life-coach, vegan for 7 years.
There are many ways of contributing towards a more just, healthy, safe, compassionate, peaceful and environmentally sustainable society. However, not all actions are equally effective. There is a very strong argument that doing a mainly or completely plant-based nutrition would contribute massively to the above world scenario which I think deep down most people really want.
According to increasing scientific peer-reviewed evidence, there is no advantage to consuming animal products over plant-based except in areas where there is no choice logistically. Plant-based diet, if done in a balanced way, would appear to be the wisest choice, when considering health, morality and sustainability together. Possibly on health grounds alone.
If you are open to the ideas above and want to find out more information or try the plant-based nutrition (personal experience is best!) I have provided some links below. Most importantly you should be aware that vitamins B12 and D3 are needed as a supplement – easily done and non-vegans can often also show deficiencies. Getting a balanced vegan diet is nonetheless pretty simple once it becomes habit!
One way to get started is to go to vegan events with cooking etc.
(A note about getting to the truth
Because there are a lot of conflicting infos out there it can be difficult to be objective. Especially with diet. However, peer-reviewed research, although not free from abuse, is probably the nearest we can get to it within science at least. The environmental and dietary scientific evidence is on balance very convincing. There is a lot of disinformation that is often propagated by the interests of the powerful meat and dairy industries, including through health authorities (Germany, too!). Don’t believe everything you read/hear/see including here and please consider that not all bias is equal in amounts, or levels of harm that it causes, or funding! Also badly informed doctors, wishful thinking, and defensiveness play a role in our decisions what we choose to believe or not.)
LINKS
HEALTH / TIPS / BLOG
A wealth of information here from Dr. Greger including recipes
FILMS
COWSPIRACY – about the wide-ranging environmental destruction due to animal agriculture and the corruption, mistruths in industry and some environmental organisations at the time (the claim of 51% Greenhouse gases was not peer-reviewed – UN says 18% which is more than transport)
http://www.cowspiracy.com/facts/
KNIVES OVER FORKS – health, healing on PBD and industry (haven’t seen it but heard some positive critique)
WHAT THE HEALTH: should be on Netflix. Similar to Knives over Forks. Some points are probably exaggerated (e.g. dangers of eggs) but most of it is valid and supported by current science and medical practice.
http://www.whatthehealthfilm.com/facts
Many have tried to debunk What the Health. e.g.
https://www.vegan.com/posts/vegan-dietitian-review-what-the-health/
I found some points valid and others not compelling or inaccurate (e.g. WHO 7 studies claim, bodyshaming claim)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3xcrw09lik
EARTHLINGS – What is being done to animals for food
DOMINION – (to be released in a few months?) as above plus evidence using drones and also how many animals in the entertainment industry are treated – kept secret before.
GAME-CHANGERS – (to be released) “ The Game Changers will introduce the world to elite athletes, special ops soldiers, visionary scientists, cultural icons and everyday heroes. Each on a mission to create a seismic shift in the way we eat and live.”
Especially aimed at men, it breaks through the macho meat-eating man myths, including errection tests!
EASY VEGAN MEALS
This guy has a great vlog on many vegan topics!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In4vTeL2Y5A
I often eat:
Breakfast: porridge with banana and apple and turmeric
Lunch: red-lentil Dal with hot madras, soup stock (veg. / palm oil free) with different veg. e.g. Chinese Leaves and brown rice / millet
Evening: Large salad with potatoes, tomatoes, rocket, radicio, carrots, cucumber and olive-oil and lemon-juice dressing
VEGAN GROUPS IN MUNICH
(I organize events myself – inform me if you wish to be invited!)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/459413224176443
http://www.vegan-kochen.tumblr.com/
