The China Study and its impact on the family table
Categories: Eating & Nutrition, Development
A few weeks ago, I wrote about my decision to become a vegetarian.My initial intent was to cut out the meat completely, which, surprisingly, was really no problem at all. I love veggie wieners, portobello mushroom burgers, salads with walnuts and grapes and pasta primavera. I could still eat chocolate chip macadamia nuts and rice pudding. And my kid loves all these things too. No problem. But then, dear lord, I read the China Study. It's not written by an animal rights activist, nor by anyone who could be called insane by any stretch of the imagination. It's written by an extremely intelligent and respected nutritionist and researcher who presents his studies in a logical, methodical, terrifying way. And as I read the last page, I realized, oh no. I don't think I can eat dairy anymore. For me, this book is one of those soul-altering books that has changed the way I see the world, permanently.
Among some of the startling ideas in the book include the suggestion that the Dairy Industry's marketing board has been "educating" children with completely false information on the healthiness of cow's milk for decades, that animal meat causes cancer, that the knowledge (ie. a plant-based diet) is there to prevent heart disease but it's routinely ignored because...well, there is money to be made.
Dr. T. Colin Campbell suggests that he has the answers to America's obesity problem. I tend to believe him. My Dad says it's total hoey, there's a new fad every day... he'd also refuse to read it. My Mom just read it and says she won't be eating meat again. ) I am now having second thoughts about feeding Nolan a lot of dairy and meat while I go vegan. I'm going to research more but I'm interested, but if you haven't read the book, I'd recommend it. At the very least, it provides some excellent, surprising insight about what our kids are being taught about nutrition in school Have you read the book? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
SzélsőFa 1-12-2008 @ 10:53AM
Like other commenters, I'm not into these type of books with 'amazing discoveries'.
While I respect anyone who's vegetarian, I do think man is to eat and digest animal products as well.
I'd like to point out that the two most important points: 1.)avoid dairy
2.)avoid meat
still do have a true meaning behind them.
1.) If this book is based on research carried out in rural China, the 'wtf' factor is quite explained by the fact that most Asian people have trouble digesting dairy products.
2.) as far as I know, mass production of animals involves feeding various antibiotics and hormones to confined animals who are kept in unnatural conditions.
Most American people have access to these type of meat, which is, for obvious reasons is highly unhealthy. If you wish to go on eating meat, choose organic. Did you know that animals are given growth hormones? If they eat it through their lifycycle, you are to get to eat those, too. Does it make sanse? Eat organic for your own sake. And don't feed your toddler with sh.t on the fake assumption that meat can still be good.
Meat is good, but not the one you usually buy. You do have to do some research to find a source that you trust. that you are 100% that is organic, or coming from a free range farm. And so on.
Hope I was of some help.
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Uly 1-14-2008 @ 3:45PM
I could find a pediatrician who would say that, but I'm supposed to be watching the kids right now.
I'll just say, instead, that I am sick of the advice to "give milk, give milk, give milk". Instead of saying 'Serve your child foods full of healthy fats', it's "make sure you serve high fat milk!". Instead of saying 'Serve your child foods full of calcium' it's "make sure you serve milk!".
If the goal is to get calcium, or iron, or fat into your child, and your pediatrician seems unaware that you can do that without serving milk, then your pediatrician, frankly, sucks.
He or she *ought* to say something sensible, like "Make sure your daughter eats foods with so and so much of these nutrients", but is choosing to take the lazy way out.
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M4Mommy 1-15-2008 @ 12:05PM
Hello.. LEAD IN THE TOYS. Ring any bells??
And some of you are taking this book as gospel?
The reason that people, and children are obese in the US isnt just the fast food that is consumed for breakfast, lunch snack and dinner. It is also due to pure laziness. sitting in front of the TV. sitting in front of the computer. Having a video game player attached to the tv and a bag of chips sitting next to ones fat ass. And allowing children to do the same.
Everything in MODERATION! Including exercise.
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Elizabeth Joy 1-15-2008 @ 4:08PM
I have heard Dr. Campbell speak, and served him dinner once. He is a very humble, yet intelligent man, not out to be sensational. He simply tells his story, and tells you what he has learned. He has good research and it isn't hard to read. For those who haven't read his book, you really should pick up the book at your library and read at least his story. He wouldn't have believed his research results back in the beginning either. With the way people are getting sicker and sicker in America, it sure seems like time to change what we can to improve our health. We can't change everything, but we sure can change what we eat. The results in our case are excellent.
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