The label pseudo-science is an interesting one, so often used by the mainstream to discredit new findings, or directions of exploration. What it really should be used for is to label all those researchers paid by a vested interest to suppress a finding they’re unhappy with. Or just plain bad research methodologies. I’m applying it today to the ‘scientist’ who found that veganism/vegetarianism damages health, and called parents who subject their children to it unethical.
He got this conclusion by noticing that under-nourished Kenyan children who were fed meat got healhier. Hmmm.
Which is why I worry about those who skim headlines and ‘get a feel for what’s happening’.
UPDATE 14h20: There’s another version of the same story on IOL. The researcher’s thoughts are better presented, but the opposing outcry is neatly ignored. Now, not even reading the article helps, unless the reader cares to engage their critical faculties and spot the logical chasm.
I seem to remember reading something along these lines before, that purely vegetarian diets are unhealthy for small children. I’d tend to agree, unless their diet is very carefully supplemented. My son and I don’t eat a lot of red meat or poultry, but we do both enjoy a fair amount of fish, and given what I’ve read about the brain development benefits thereof I’m glad that he enjoys it.
Well, the question is what nutrients from meat provide those benefits? There are five main things that are more tricky in a vegetarian/vegan diet:
1) Protein. For adults there’s usually more than enough, but children need lots as they grow. Pasta and salads won’t cut it, but grains such as quinoa have as much protein as meat, and soya and other beans are also great sources.
2) Iron. Iron is absorbed very well from animal sources, but by combining iron and Vitamin C you can improve the absorption (broccoli is a good source of both).
3) Zinc. Nuts and seeds are great sources.
4) Vitamin B6. Cabbage, melons, molasses and bananas do the trick here.
5) Vitamin B12. The most tricky of all. Usually needs to be added as a supplement (e.g vitamin tablets, or fortified non-dairy milk powders) but fermented soya (tempeh) is a natural good source.
There’s nothing else we know of yet that meat offers and veggies don’t. Many vegetarians aren’t conscious eaters – they swap their meat for pasta and salads, and do themselves harm (just like unconscious McDonalds eaters do), but if you’re careful it’s not hard to not only remain as healthy, but in my case get much more so!