by Kathleen Keating

Join this Souper Hero on her journey to find a cup of knowledge for human health to add to our Solution Soup.

“Now some people scoff at vegetarians, but they have only 40 percent of our cancer rate. They outlive us. On average they outlive other men by about six years. A low-fat plant-based diet would not only lower the heart attack rate about 85 percent, but would lower the cancer rate 60 percent.” - William Castelli, M.D. Director, Framingham Heart Study: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Meat, dairy, and many high fat and processed foods are familiar foods. They seem normal because they have been promoted by aggressive marketing of the meat, dairy and food industry for generations. In turn these foods have been reinforced by society as part of our religious and family traditions. Over time any familiar food gives us reassurance, a sense of identity and belonging. Familiar foods also give us comfort, ease and relaxation. and soothe us when we are sad and lonely.

For all of these reasons, changing to a plant based diet requires courage.

Be a hero and question whether your familiar diet of meat and dairy products truly serves you and the planet.

Be a Souper Hero and begin making food choices that will save your life and save the planet.

Be A Brave Cook!

VEGANS DO ...

get enough protein on a vegan diet.

A variety of grains, beans, and vegetables will provide all of the essential amino acids our bodies require. It was once thought that various plant foods had to be eaten together to get their full protein value, otherwise known as "protein combining." Intentional combining is not necessary to obtain all of the essential amino acids. As long as the diet contains a variety of grains, beans, and vegetables, protein needs are easily met.

The average American consumes about twice the protein her or his body needs. Additionally, the main sources of protein consumed tend to be animal products, which are also high in fat and saturated fat.

Bone Drain

Osteoporosis is not a disease of calcium deficiency, it's a disease of calcium loss. Calcium is excreted by the kidneys for a number of reasons: lack of exercise, too much animal protein, caffeine, sugar, salt, and alcohol in the diet. All of these substances cause you excrete calcium through urination, but animal foods are the prime culprit in causing osteoporosis.

VEGANS (pronounced VEE-guns) eat only products of the plant kingdom. Vegans exclude flesh, fish, fowl, dairy products (animal milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, etc.), eggs, animal gelatin, and all other foods of animal origin.