Eating the Green Road for Health, Sustainability and Compassion

Compelling evidence about the benefits of eating a vegan diet.

Humans are designed to digest both plant and animal foods. A completely vegan diet may not be the right path for everyone, however it has demonstrated the ability to restore and sustain health in surprising ways. These Standards were established at the International Living Foods Summits, held between 2006 and 2009. Vegan and plant based diets are endorsed by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Alan Goldhammer, Director of True North Health Center, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. John McDougal and many other scientists, nutritionists, medical professionals and athletes. Two vegan athletes I am inspired by are Ruth Heidrich and Brendan Brazier.

It is all pretty compelling, don’t you think?

Courtesy of Green Scene

According to the International Living Food Summit Guidelines, eating the following diet will significantly address the urgent issues of health, environmental sustainability, world hunger, and a compassionate respect for all life

• Vegan (no animal products, cooked or raw)
• Organic
• Whole Foods
• At least 80% raw (the remaining to be whole food, and organic)
• High in nutrition such as vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients
• Highly mineralized
• Contains a significant quantity of chlorophyll-rich green foods
• Contains adequate complete protein from plant sources
• Provides excellent hydration with a large proportion of high-water content foods and pure water
• Includes raw vegetable juices
• Contains all essential fatty acids from naturally occurring plant sources
• Has moderate, yet adequate caloric intake
• Contains only low to moderate sugar and exclusively from whole food sources
• Contains minimal amounts of unprocessed salts, as needed (depending upon your constitution)
• Is nutritionally optimal for both detoxification and rebuilding

It is also agreed that:

• Eating local, ripe, seasonally available foods as appropriate is preferable
• Plant-based supplementation of Vitamin B-12 is imperative. Adequate Vitamin D levels can be maintained with sufficient sun exposure. When exposure is inadequate, take appropriate levels of plant – based Vitamin D-3.
• The addition of enzyme active superfoods and whole food supplements is advised but does not take the place of the optimum diet described above.
• Caffeinated and/or addictive substances (even in their raw form), such as cacao/chocolate, coffee, caffeinated teas, and alcohol are limited to occasional consumption, if at all.
• This way of eating can be further optimized by tailoring it based on individual needs
• Diet is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle, yet not the entire picture. A full spectrum, health-supportive lifestyle is encouraged. This includes physical exercise, exposure to sunshine (with awareness), as well as psychological health.
• Avoiding environmental toxins and toxic products is essential. Paramount is pure water (for consumption and bathing), the use of natural fiber clothing, and non-toxic personal care products. Also consider healthy options in home furnishings/building materials and related items.