DIET CONUNDRUM
Meat or veggies?
There’s an ongoing debate about what is better: a vegetarian or non-vegetarian diet? Are vegetarians missing out on important nutrients? Are non-vegetarians more prone to health issues? Since being a vegetarian or non-vegetarian is a personal choice, we asked Yohan Perera – strength coach and fitness personality – to share his views on this vexed issue.
Q: Are there exclusive nutritional benefits from consuming meat over vegetables or vice versa?
A: Of course. Complete protein can only be acquired from animal products.
However, vegetables and greens have certain nutritional elements that are entirely specific to them.
For instance, unique nutritional components such as phytonutrients and chlorophyll can only be found in dark leafy greens.
Q: Does a high consumption of meat contribute to health issues?
A: The answer to this is subjective
– it depends on the body type and activity level of the individual, along with cooking methods and what the rest of the diet contains.
There are people who thrive on high meat consumption; and other groups who function well on a plant based diet. Therefore, it depends on a variety of factors.
Q: Is it easier to lose weight as a vegetarian?
A: If you are a vegetarian on a high carb diet and engage in less activity depending on your body type, it might not work out well. On the other hand, a well-balanced and informed vegetarian approach can work wonders for certain people.
Therefore, this too is subjective.
Q: Will forgoing the consumption of meat affect your fitness especially if you work out regularly?
A: This depends on your metabolic type, which is a contributing factor that decides what your body runs on most efficiently.
Q: For dietary considerations, is it better to be exclusively vegetarian or a mixed eater?
A: The priority is to observe your body, see what it runs on optimally and feed it accordingly. I know people who have tried multiple diets ranging from vegan, ‘ketogenic’ and ‘paleo’ until they found what best suits them.
It’s ignorant to recommend one type of diet and generalise people’s physical requirements without screening or observing them.
I start by recommending a balanced approach comprising all nutritional factors to my clients and observe how their bodies respond before making changes that complement their wellbeing.