Don't Eat Meat For A Month: City Health Chief

Chicago health commissioner Dr. Terry Mason has a message for Chicagoans who enjoy devouring meat in all its fat-dripping, artery-clogging glory: Don't do it.

As part of his campaign to slim down waists and lower blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol citywide, Mason is encouraging everyone to join him in going vegetarian for January.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[cyboman]

If anyone is interested here is a video that describes factory farming practices: http://meat.org

[Eric8869]

Everything is good in moderation. Just like religion or politics - anyone on the extreme side is bad.

[Ray46]

vegetarian = Native Ameerican word for bad hunter

[Gumby123]

PETA - People eating Tasty animals

[booboo111]

If animals weren't meant to be eaten, how come they're made of meat?

[brooklyncitizen]

Ha hahhh...bobo.

[BushBites]

In fact, Daley even sent his top aide over to be president of the Illinois Restaurant Assn.

http://chicagoist.com/2007/04/30/former_daley_aide_now_new_restaurant_lobby_chief_.php

[BushBites]

He's fired.

Daley's in the pocket of the Restaurant Association.

[johnnygoodwud]

dang, i just made a huge batch of chilli, and was planning a road trip to the superdawg, for a famous chicago hot dog.

[booboo111]

If animals weren't meant to be eaten, why are they made of meat?

[jukesgrrl]

What?! He's telling people NOT to order the Blagojevich Burger with it's added baloney, extra cheese, and the mustard put on as a $ sign?

[vschicago]

another official that illinois will try to impeach because they go after the big guns of the meat industry...remember gov rod did the same with bank of america and look at the situation he's in right now...

[JohnFromCensornati]

Don't eat dead animals for the rest of your life. We'll all be better off.

[Eric8869]

Dead animals taste so good tho - especially with cheese. mmmmmmmm

[lynettema]

We would all need some re educating to know how to get our protein and in a form we would actually eat (NOT TOFU).

[milo h minderbinder]

Actually most people would probably have little problem getting enough protein. Most people get far too much, we don't really need that much so the notion that someone going veggie is in danger of protein lack is a common misconception.

Iron and B12 are probably a bigger concern than protein.

[Citizen54]

Milo is absolutely correct..... If you go veg, pay special attention to make sure you're getting enough Bs, folic acid, and iron (which is why Popeye ate spinach).

[JohnFromCensornati]

We can eat tofu. I've done it. I've seen others do it.
As far as other food sources are concerned, I usually read the label to determine the protein content.

[DeniseD]

I've tried tofu and it is terrible, but maybe I just don't know how to prepare it. Plus, I am not allowed to eat soy because I have to take thyroid medication, and many of us are in the same position. Of course, we can eat other beans and nuts and cheeses too.

[Cufflinks]

I like to marinate tofu in soy sauce, slice it thinly and then fry it in canola oil. If it's sauteed or raw, the texture can be offputting. There's also seitan and tempeh which a lot of people prefer over tofu.

[norkas]

Tofu is prepared many different ways with all kinds of spices to make not taste bland. You can get protein from turkey, chicken , eggs, also eats unsalted pumkin seeds, walnuts, almonds.

I quit meat 5 years ago and feel great. You never have to eat soy to be healthy that is a fact.

You may eat seitan which is a soy product but will never have the effects of it.

If you really have courage drink wheat grass and start with one oz. fresh squeezed from whole foods with hasa great quality or a heath food store. One oz. is equal to 2lbs of the darkest greens you can eat. Pluse it cleans you artires out because it cloraphil in. I know this is a mispell.

Ju

[brooklyncitizen]

nope...tofu is a comfort food...delish! you do have to get the right recipes.

[Citizen54]

Yes, stick with the beans and nuts and so on. You'll do fine. Besides, there have been some studies lately that too much soy protein might not be good for people.

[brooklyncitizen]

Americans consume too much protein...protein is found in many natural foods- in legumes, in seeds, in many vegetables and grains such as brown rice and quinoa which is a complete protein.Unless you are really active- an athlete etc,, you don't need that much protein.

I've been vegetarian for 6 years and vegan for three and frankly can't envision going back to flesh eating.Naturally slimmed down , maintain beautiful clear complexion, healthy hair no graying and I just don't get sick. All sorts of little ailments, mostly caused by food allergies were just eliminated...and one is really helping the planet by not consumming flesh .

[Citizen54]

I've been vegetarian for most of the past 20 years. But it hasn't kept my hair from turning gray, or falling out.

My biggest concern with a meat-based diet is the amount of resources it takes to produce one hamburger. (Read Frances Moore Lappe's fantastic book Diet for a Small Planet for details.) Not to mention the slaughterhouses from which that hamburger comes.

[Eric8869]

I've been to a factory where Tofu is made. It's not as heartbreaking as a slaughterhouse but it is just as gross. You don't want to know.

[ouroborous]

Not a bad idea. I'm no fan of the vegan mafia, but we could probably all afford to cut back quite a bit on our meat consumption; it's out of balance for most Americans.

[milo h minderbinder]

Interesting idea. I'd be up for doing it, but since my wife is currently expecting it would be the worst possible time for my family.

[Topfeeder]

I was a vegetarian my entire pregnancy 19 years ago, my old hippie days. I ate well and my son weighed 8lbs.8ozs. Of course, if your wife is not of the mindset to try it, I would completely understand, pregnancy hormones and cravings and all that stuff.

[milo h minderbinder]

Yeah, I know it can be done but with her particular food situation (and other medical issues) it would be really difficult.

And while I think it's completely safe to be veggie and pregnant, it seems like a risky idea to me to start being a vegetarian during the middle of the pregnancy. Make the switch before or do it after, but during doesn't seem like the wisest idea.

[Eric8869]

Yes I bet when the baby is born you won't be having it suckle Tofu - it will be on a breast drinking MILK. despite what the vegans want to tell you.