Do you eat a plant-based diet? Do you eat meat? Are you unsure what to eat? I wanted to provide some data. This is Dr. Vicki Petersen, discussing an interesting debate between Dr. Joel Kahn, a cardiac surgeon who has been plant-based since he was 19, and local doctor Chris Kresser, a licensed acupuncturist who promotes eating more animal foods.
It was interesting because, while I want to save you the four-hour listen, they both had great references, and you can check out either of their sites for more information. They found common ground, which I’d like to start with. They both agreed that two-thirds to three-quarters of your plate should be vegetables, along with some fruit and whole foods. They both agreed that sugar, processed foods, and refined simple carbohydrates are terrible.
When it comes to the difference between plant-based and eating meat, what was most interesting was the focus on organ meats and minimally processed meat from animals that had a good life, were grass-fed, and had no hormones. The problem, as Dr. Kahn mentioned, is that this advice targets an elitist group who can access that kind of meat. We have to consider whether the average beef or chicken available at a grocery store or restaurant is healthy.
Since factory-raised meat involves antibiotics and poor living conditions, you can’t recommend meat to the average person due to what’s generally available. Both doctors agreed on this point. They also agreed that more research needs to be done. Dr. Kahn noted that we should go with what we currently know. Plant-based and pescetarian diets (eating fish once or twice a week) seem to promote longevity and better health. For people who eat no meat, there might be some deficiencies over time.
Can you be plant-based and fully healthy? Yes, but it requires effort. Eating fish once or twice a week can make it easier, as long as it’s low-mercury fish. I recently did a blog and video on this. Fish like Pacific salmon, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines are safer and have lower mercury levels.
Research shows that low-calorie intake and occasional fasting are beneficial. People who are lighter in weight and not obese live longer. Watching your calorie intake, getting regular exercise, and eating a whole food plant-based diet with a little bit of fish has stood the test of time. There is some data suggesting that minimal amounts of perfectly sourced beef and eggs could be healthy, but we just don’t know for sure.
To conclude, I hope this was beneficial and provided some useful data. The most important thing is your health. If it’s not where you want it to be, please reach out. We’re here to help you regain your health. Call us at 408-733-0400 for a free consultation, whether you’re local or long-distance. Share this video with friends, subscribe if you’re not already a member, and we’ll talk soon.
