You eat what??

A certain coworker of mine . . . THE ANGLER. . . doesn't understand vegetarianism and constantly asks me how fruits, vegetables and tofu can be as satisfying as hamburgers, steak and chicken breast. So, in honor of The Angler's confusion my next entry is a personal reflection on my vegetarian diet. Hummm!

Let me start by saying there are many different types of vegetarians.

• Vegetarians- Only eat plant based food. They do not eat any animal foods, including fish, eggs, dairy products, and honey.
  
• Vegans- Only eat plant based food but they also omit all animal products from their diets and their lives. Vegans don't eat or use anything from animals such as milk, eggs, leather or wool.
  
• Lacto-Vegetarians (a.k.a. Lacto-OvoVegetarians)- Eat plant based foods but will include dairy products into their diet.
  
• Pollo-Vegetarians- Eat plant based foods but will include poultry such as chicken, turkey, and duck.
  
• Pescatarians- Eat plant based foods but will include fish into their diets.

I subscribe to the latter and have been a pescatarian for more than 10 years. I chose to omit from eating meat and poultry as an ethical, health and sustainable decision. Since I've been a pescatarian I've lost 50 pounds, maintained a healthy weight and have had a positive influence on my family and friends diet. By referencing my "diet" I am not speaking in regards to any food restrictions or restraints rather; I am speaking to the food choices I live by. I guess you could refer to them as my Food Commandments. I have a few simple diet rules I think everyone should live by in efforts of being sustainable, healthy and a good influence for your peers.

Ms. GoLightly Food Commandments!

1. 1. Thou shall not serve me fake food- I don't like fat free, low fat, no fat, no sugar, sugar substitute or any similar version of fake food. Food isn't simple for substances. Eating should be an emotional activity among friends, family and/or loved ones. If the emotions shared across the table aren't fake why should the food be?



2. Thou shall not serve me cattle sized portion- Why do Americans eat in such large portions? If the food you were eating was rich in vitamins, tastes and minerals your body wouldn't desire a fistful of potatoes to go alongside your 26oz steak washed down with your 40oz Lite beer. People. . . please. Just say no.
   
3. Thou shall listen to your body- If you eat a cupcake and you immediately get a headache or feel like you've just drunk a double espresso you probably should limit your sugar intake. Be aware of how your body responds to what you put in it. This will probably require less mindless eating in front of the television. ;o)
   
4. Thou shall not eat 3 meals a day from the freezer or the can- This is an easy one folks. Cavemen lived for hundreds of years but they didn't survive on Chef Boyardee or Lean Cuisine. The sodium content in prepackaged meals is too high to consume three times a day and still maintain a healthy blood pressure. Put down the raviolli.
   
5. Thou shall READ! Food manufacturers label product for a reason. You won't ever understand what you're ingesting until you start taking the time to read product labels.

The moral of the story is no matter what your diet consist of make sure you're diligent about knowing what it is exactly. No one wants surprises at the kitchen table!