Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

The mission statement of the USDA states that they “provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources and related issues based on sound public policy and the best possible science and efficient management.”  Under this mission, they generate recommended nutritional guidelines for our country, the latest one is called “My Plate”.   After living for a year and a half engaging in different edible  practices than the USDA guide suggests, I’ve found that I feel better and am healthier.  I’ve also  learned from other leading nutritional experts that this guide is not as sound as it is positioned and just recently,  Harvard came to the table providing dietary guidelines that also differ from “My Plate” and traditional schools of thought.  

Harvard Public Health and the Harvard Health Publications recently released a nutritional eating guide entitled the  “Healthy Eating Plate.” It is in discord with the USDA’s “MyPlate,” or the old food guide pyramid.

The Harvard guide encourages you to significantly limit dairy because “there is little if any evidence that high dairy intakes protect against osteoporosis, and there is considerable evidence that too-high intakes can be harmful.” When I read that I felt the most enormous sense of jubilation that someone other than a vegan had publicly said it out loud. Someone that is not lead or paid by people with special interest instead of human interest. What a wonderful and exciting way to begin a new year.

There are other aspects that resonated with me as well, including the statement about consuming fruit, not fruit juices.  An important point that I think is often overlooked.  They also advocate whole grain consumption which is inexpensive and tastes great.  Perhaps one of the most obvious additions is stated right there, to stay active.  Being healthy is about enjoying food and exercise, they are inexorably linked, why not put it here?  The guide from Harvard is insightful and  easy to follow. Their recommendations are based on scientific evidence instead of agricultural dollars and political promises.

Click here for the Harvard site for the Healthy Eating Plate. They also have a graph (click here) explaining the differences between their Healthy Plate  and the USDA MyPlate.

Have a delicious day.

Tags: compassionate eating, dairy free, going veg, Harvard Public Health, Healthy Eating Plate, MyPlate, plant based diet, trying vegan, vegan experience, vegan wannabe