Nina Teicholz vs David L. Katz, MD

[andyswarbs]

For everyone who follows the question of whether the Vegetarians are healthier than Omnivores here is a 1 1/2 hour debate between two heavyweights. David's approach to is to present research paper after research randomised controlled trial followed by meta-analyses point to the overwhelming evidence in favour, asking the question when do you know something is true. Nina's approach is to talk about B12 etc.

As I see it this is a hands-down win for David Katz. But then, like everyone I am biased. Enjoy youtube.com/watch?v=1qDYl4z...(Not working as expected?)

[Zest]

Wow Andy, and hour and a half debate. I think I'll save it for next weekend, and hopefully have a listen then.

Hope you're enjoying your week so far.

Zest

[deejames]

Surely it depends on the diet the vegetarian eats and that of the meat eater. Individual diets within these catagories vary so much. A good diet is a good diet

[andyswarbs in reply to deejames]

If you ask anyone they will say they eat a good diet, and I think that includes people who eat at McDonalds/KFC a lot. The video covers this topic in a lot of detail and dare I say it tries to put fact in front of fiction.

Ignoring the video's perspective from where I stand a good diet

1) excludes foods that cause that individual harm, sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently. Eg I excluded breads for 15 months as part of my gut healing. Now I enjoy wholegrain breads as a regular part of my diet, and consider that a healthy option. Of course anyone who is celiac excludes gluten permanently. I am not sure a lot of people know foods that increase risk of harm partly because signs of harm can take decades to mature, eg cancer is undetectable for the first 10 years after which point all hell breaks loose because it is often too late!

2) Excludes foods that cause the general population harm. Here I am thinking about refined foods, which is about 90% of what is sold in supermarkets. Also I might add processed meats and red meats which are linked to cancer.

3) Maximises nutritional input covering all the nutrients, macro and micro.

4) supports a long and healthy life with minimal prep & cooking effort. Although a totally raw vegan diet has no cooking I tend not to recommend it partly because too much weight loss can become a risk.