nutrition question
i'm sure this has been discussed a million times over but i have been pondering something and wonder what you all think....
if you have a vegan cheese and ham sandwich chances are you are eating mainly wheat/soy as this is what vegan analogues seem to be mainly made from. I never used to eat analogues but recently have started mainly for convienience (lunch box is so much easier if you only have 10mins to make it) and also cos i missed cheese after 4 years of not eating it!! but now i am concerned that my 'healthy' cheese on toast or ham sandwich isnt so great. i do put veg etc in too and i dont eat loads of analogues by any means, i cook lots of fresh food all the time but i was just wondering what you guys make of it all. like last night i had veggie mince made of wheat with tortillas (and guacamole, chickpeas and stuff too) but that was basically wheat with wheat huh.
hope tyhis makes some sense!! bb:)
I don't really eat meat/cheese analogues because I don't really like them (I like the occasional Follow Your Heart grated on a casserole or something, but that's about it). They are overly processed, and in that sense (rather than the large amounts of soy/wheat) wouldn't be very healthy since overly processed food in any form isn't great for you.
Try making up a chickpea salad mixture for sandwiches instead of mock meat/cheese. It's really easy (just mush up chickpeas, veganaise or plain yogurt, mustard, garlic powder, and black pepper and add some chopped green pepper or celery) and a lot better for you. I'm seriously addicted to this stuff!
I generally avoid processed things. I do have tofu sometimes, but beyond that I avoid processed things. This isn't even mainly because of my health (though, that plays a part) but because I don't like the taste. My parents were VERY strict about not allowing any processed foods into the house when I was growing up ... so I'm just not used to it.
I think, in moderation, it's ok. But, I don't know about eating it daily. When I think of moderation, I think once a week, lol.
I'm a professional dancer and when I'm on tour or away from home, I definitely eat more analogue and processed products--like a daily veggie burger patty, hummus and bread from packages, instant oatmeal and soup, even vegan poptarts, etc.
I do it because I need the calories and protein but don't have access to a real kitchen, or a HFS, or time to cook. By the time I get home, I am always craving "real food" that I cook myself--beans, rice, big salads, tofu, etc. But I have never become ill or lost my strength and stamina. So I think it's OK, just not ideal. And anyway, it's definitely better than eating real meat or cheese!
I'm just stopping by to give the chickpea salad two thumbs up! I love this sandwich--and you can add so many veggies to it! great taste!
i'd say you're fine. yeah it is 'processed' but it isn't that bad. i would say as long as you have whatever you have in moderation (i.e. not eating those foods break, lunch and dinner) you are probably getting a balanced, healthy diet.
I'd just say remember that vegan doesn't equal healthy.
Yes, lack of animal products in general is healthier... but OREOS are vegan. This doesn't make them healthy.
If you read the China Study he doesn't suggest eating oreos instead of drinking milk ;)
They always reference whole foods (animal-free) diets and processed "cheese" and "meat" are not whole foods. Of course, you can eat them. But just remember to balence your diet, being aware that you're eating wheat with wheat made you add chickpeas and veggies, right GGBB? So that's a good thing! Just be aware of it, I say, and try not to base your diet ON fake cheese. ;)
I think, in moderation, it's ok. But, I don't know about eating it daily. When I think of moderation, I think once a week, lol.
Heehee yep "moderation" really = however long/much you feel like, doesn't it? LOL
I usually keep some Amy's Kitchen frozen vegan dinners/veggie burgers on hand so when I'm especially busy/tired there's something easy to make. But for the most part I cook all my food. (days off are for cooking/freezing food for the week) I don't think there's anything wrong with occasionally eating them. When you work 8 hours a day and school for 4 sometimes you just need a helping hand.
I agreee that for convenience they can't be beat. I eat them myself. Many of the brands use organic and natural ingredients, so it's still healtheir than sliced meat. Dr. Neal Bernard in his book "Breaking the Food Addiction" gives them his blessing and that's good enough for me.
I usually keep some Amy's Kitchen frozen vegan dinners/veggie burgers on hand so when I'm especially busy/tired there's something easy to make. But for the most part I cook all my food. (days off are for cooking/freezing food for the week) I don't think there's anything wrong with occasionally eating them. When you work 8 hours a day and school for 4 sometimes you just need a helping hand.
I like Amy's!
I know they are "boxed" and frozen but they are organic (HUGE deal) If you look at the ingredient lists they are far closer to whole foods than vegan cheese or meat analogues. IN fact I would almost say they are frozen, prepared, whole foods.
To me Amy's aren't the processed foods that I want to stay away from. I don't even know if it's right to call it a processed food.
Amy's = GREAT
I totally know where you're coming from on this! Meat analogues just don't do it for me, and I too think "Well, wheat or cereal product analogue + wheat bread = a whole lot of starch and carbohydrates!" So maybe you need to investigate alternatives to the sandwich thing. Take a cold burrito type wrap, along with a small plastic seal-em-up bag with plenty of fresh veggie stuff, such as grated carrot, shredded lettuce, pitted olives etc. My sis used to have little quarter-cup Tupperware containers with lids which are great for carrying one serving of salad dressing or other condiment. If you can get them, you might be able to "dress" your lunch on the spot. It's just as easy to throw together a wrap etc. as it is to make a traditional, rectangular sandwich. It's just that we've been programmed to think of certain things as "lunch foods." In college I carried airtight plastic bowls of stirfry and it was fine cold. I would make it in the morning before I left for class and eat it whenever.