People WILL mock you for being plant based

Little did I realize when I made the life changing decision to go plant based, at some point I would be mocked by others.

“When do you plan to eat meat?” This question was recently posed when I ordered my meal choice at a restaurant.

While my three dinner companions ordered steak and shrimp (the standard fare for the restaurant), I ordered a baked potato and asparagus.

“Oh, it’s a faze she’s going through,” one person joked.

“Actually, no it’s not a phase,” I defended my choice.

“Sure, sure,” someone else laughed.

Quickly realizing the only thing that might keep people quiet is to simply say, “I’m doing it for heart health.”

“What’s wrong with your heart?”

“Nothing, and I prefer to keep it that way?” I responded.

“Well, if nothing’s wrong with your heart, why do you care?” was the next question.

“We have heart disease in our family,” seemed to be an answer that worked.

SAD Diet Is Killing

When I first decided to go plant based, I read posts and watched videos on YouTube by people who had similar experiences like mine; people who were made fun of for their lifestyle change.

They were mocked by people who couldn’t understand why someone would give up the Standard American Diet (SAD diet) in favor of one that was far superior in so many ways.

Evidence Based Healthy Eating

Not only is there plenty of evidence that eating a whole food, plant based diet is working for me by virtue of releasing 30 pounds of excess weight in a four month period (without dieting), my energy has increased as as my running endurance and recovery time. Yet, for those not aware how detrimental the SAD diet is, it intrigues me why others feel the need to mock someone when they are doing something so healthy.

There’s plenty of evidence that a simple change of diet can have dramatic effects on one’s health.

The Facts are Clear

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. and also the leading cause of death worldwide. More than half of the deaths that occur as a result of heart disease are in men.

Food has been undeniably linked to heart disease. Yet, most people are not willing to change their eating protocols.

Preferring to eat in a way that is literally killing them, many would prefer to ridicule, question and mock those who are making positive changes.

Not only is our food consumption directly related to heart disease, the foods we choose also contribute to diabetes, obesity, cancer, high blood pressure, inflammation and strokes.

So why is it that people prefer to continue behaviors that not only put their health at risk, but minimize their quality of life?

That’s a question only they can answer. Yet, some common answers are:

“I like meat and no one is going to take it away from me.”

“It’s my right to eat however I want.”

“I would rather die than give up meat.”

“There’s not enough proof that what we eat impacts our health.” (Really?!?!)

Proof Is In What We Eat

There is actually plenty of proof that what we eat directly impacts our health. Two books that more than explain this are, Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman and The China Study by Dr. Colin Campbell.

Both are excellent additions to your personal library of books that can literally change the way you view what you eat forever.

The bottom line is this; we DO have more control over our health than many people admit. And, in making positive changes, there will be those who ridicule and mock us for our choices.

Yet, when all is said and done, taking responsibility for my health is something that I’m personally willing to endure the ignorant comments and attitudes of others.

While many people spend their time dealing with preventable health challenges, I will be dealing with my choice around where my next run will be.

With my recent annual exam, I have more than enough evidence that a whole food, plant based eating protocol is the best choice I can make to live a quality of life that is fueled by the choices I make on a daily basis.