America
US-based doctors' group promoting veganism in India
By
Azera Parveen RahmanNew Delhi, July 1
A lot of Hollywood actors
were already doing it but when closer home Bollywood icon Aamir Khan
recently announced his plans of turning vegan, many became curious.
While some may express doubts, a doctors' group from the US has
initiated an India tour to propagate the benefits of a vegan life.
In
a country which is all too familiar with vegetarianism, promoting this
seems an easy task but is actually tricky. Because, apart from not
eating any meat product, going vegan means avoiding meat-based products
too, like milk and eggs. So there goes your paneer and curd!
Zeeshan
Ali of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a
non-profit health organisation in the US, a body of 12,000 physicians,
both of Indian origin and from around the world but working in the US
that was established in 1985 ane which promotes veganism, however says
that a plant-based diet has been clinically proven to reduce the risk of
chronic diseases and reduces your metabolic risks.
"A low-fat
vegan diet, combined with a nutrition education programme, is clinically
proven to boost weight loss, lower blood pressure, improve total
cholesterol, restore insulin function, alleviate chronic pain,
particularly headaches, migraines, and joint pain," Ali told IANS in an
e-mail interview.
"It also boosts your mood and combats chronic
fatigue. Plant-based dietary patterns are associated with a reduced risk
for certain forms of cancer and Alzheimer's disease, he added.
But
what about adequate nutrition? Meat, we know, is a good source of
protein. Also when it comes to iron, all that we understand are
brilliant sources - meat, eggs, poultry, fish, dairy products - which
are missing from a vegan diet.
Ali however chalks out
alternatives. "A plant-based vegan diet provides an abundance of
micronutrients we often fall short on while ensuring adequate intake of
the three macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. We recommend
80 percent of calories come from carbohydrates, 10 percent from fat and
10 percent from protein."
"Choosing colourful, low-fat,
plant-based foods often ensures this ratio, or a comparable one that
will leave you feeling great. Especially good protein sources include
whole-wheat pasta, ancient grains, beans, peas and lentils, and even
leafy greens like spinach and broccoli," he added.
Where milk
consumption is considered essential for children's development, Ali says
that kids should also be encouraged to take up veganism and thereby a
healthier lifestyle.
"As father of two children, I can speak
first-hand about the health benefits of a plant-based vegan diet for our
next generation. Both my kids enjoy plant-based vegan food and have a
clean bill of health," he says.
"A public school in New York City
recently re-modelled its lunch room to offer students daily access to
vegetarian foods, salad bars and plant-based proteins like chickpeas and
tofu. The results are astounding. The students lost weight, attendance
and energy levels in classrooms soared and test scores rose to an
all-time high. This is just one anecdote to support a large body of
research that shows a vegetarian diet is a healthful choice at every
stage of life, especially for children and teens."
A diet
centring on vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes provides one
with stable energy throughout the day and boosts the immune system.
"This is why many Hollywood stars like Beyonce and Natalie Portman,
professional athletes, global leaders and now even Bollywood actors are
going vegan. A colourful diet ensures they can perform their best,
whether it's filming for 20 hours or embarking on a world tour."
The
six-city Building a Healthy India tour began in Bhopal June 25 and is
travelling to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and finally Delhi
July 6. The event also has the support of non-profit organisations like
SHARAN and India's Freedom from Diabetes Clinic.
(Azera Rahman can be contacted at [email protected])