Vegetarianism and Shaolin monks

[Uiler]

First off, I am not a vegetarian and have no plans to become a vegetarian. However, here's something that's bothering me for a bit. You hear a lot about how vegetarianism can be dangerous to your health because without meat you lose access to some essential vitamins and minerals. There are also claims that a vegetarian diet could harm growing children. However, Buddhist monks in China eat no meat whatsoever. Their diet consists entirely of rice and vegetables. No, fish is not allowed and traditionally Chinese don't traditionally eat dairy, so no milk, cheese, yoghurt. I don't think they even eat eggs. The only thing that could even close to meat would be soy based products like tofu and soy sauce.

So, how do they manage to stay not only healthy, but as we all know, supremely fit martial artists who could beat the crap out of most people? And note, many Buddhist monks enter the monastery when they are young children.

 

[King Alexander]

I'm not a vegetarian, either.

Maybe we should take some monks to a lab and put them in tests!

btw: sure, they're capable of beating many people, but it's due to their technique and not pure strength --- they could never do boxing, javelin, weight-lifting, or even 100m.

 

[Rambuchan]

There is also a school of martial arts (which pre-dates the Chinese and Japanese) which is a whole health system. That too is totally vegetarian and they are hard bastids. (It's called Kalaripayattu, from Kerala, India).

 

[ComradeDavo]

Well i'm vegeatarian and i'm more healthy than all the meat eaters I know. mainly because whilst i'm there eating my nice salad they are stuffing themselves with greasy fat. I do eat cheese though (I'm not vegan). I think you'll actually find that most vegeatarians diets are indeed alot more varied than that of carnivors.

 

[blackheart]

They eat a lot of soy, which has much protein. And they might be healthier due to the more fiber they eat. Anyways, do we even have any Buddhist monks on this forum?

 

[Uiler]

BTW, the egg comment is directed at the monks. Normal Chinese eat a lot of eggs

 

[Cheetah]

Double post.

 

[Cheetah]

They eat a lot of soy, which has much protein. And they might be healthier due to the more fiber they eat. Anyways, do we even have any Buddhist monks on this forum?

Heavily doubt it.

Unless Curt is withholding information?

BTW, the egg comment is directed at the monks. Normal Chinese eat a lot of eggs

Isn't it usuall for northern chinese to say that the only thing with four legs they don't it to the south, are chairs and tables?

 

[punkbass2000]

You hear a lot about how vegetarianism can be dangerous to your health because without meat you lose access to some essential vitamins and minerals.

That's a blatant lie. If one knows anything at all about nutrition then they will have no problem being a vegetarian.

 

[ironduck]

As punkbass2000 states, it's simply a matter of eating the right diet. Soy, beans, and nuts are rich in a variety of essential amino acids. Eaten together in sufficient quantities all essential amino acids are covered. Likewise for other nutrients, including fatty acids.

It does, however, require a considerably more varied and specific diet to cover basic nutrients if no animal products are allowed. Humans are omnivores and our bodies reflect that. On the plus side, a vegetarian who covers all bases gets a very varied diet which most 'omnivore' diets neglect somewhat.

 

[punkbass2000]

To add, the only conceivable problem along these lines is B12, and that is only of concern for vegans. A vegan should ensure that they drink foritified soy milk as well as a seaweed extract in order to get their B12 (it's best to have more than one source of B12). Every other health need can be found in vegan foods.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

One question though: Why do we have teeth specifically designed for cutting meat?

 

[Sickman]

One question though: Why do we have teeth specifically designed for cutting meat?

For eating it?

 

[Bozo Erectus]

For eating it?

Bingo! So maybe we should eat it...

 

[ironduck]

One question though: Why do we have teeth specifically designed for cutting meat?

We are omnivores. To put things a bit on the edge, we have a carnivore stomach and herbivore intestines.

 

[ironduck]

Bingo! So maybe we should eat it...

Why? If you don't want to your body does not make it mandatory as I explained before. It is easier to maintain an omnivore diet, but you can be completely carnivore or completely herbivore. The human body is quite capable that way.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

We are omnivores. To put things a bit on the edge, we have a carnivore stomach and herbivore intestines.

Which seems to indicate that nature favors an omnivorous diet.

 

[punkbass2000]

Which seems to indicate that nature favors an omnivorous diet.

It does. Clearly omnivores have prospered. I don't see what that has to do with the topic, though...

 

[punkbass2000]

Why? If you don't want to your body does not make it mandatory as I explained before. It is easier to maintain an omnivore diet, but you can be completely carnivore or completely herbivore. The human body is quite capable that way.

Um, what? You cannot be completely carnivore and expect to live for very long.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

I don't see what that has to do with the topic, though...

Really? Thats weird. Maybe you should read the thread a few more times.