Vegetarian Vitamins » Health and Fitness

Changing Your Diet To A Low Carb Vegetarian Diet

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:00:45 +0000

More and more people are beginning to make lifestyle choices to benefit their health and are following a vegetarian diet. There are substantial positive health impacts that getting rid of meat from your diet can bring. Luckily these days there are more vegetarian options being served up in restaurants and more vegetarian products being produced and sold at supermarkets.

The chief benefit that you will enjoy if you are following a vegetarian diet is a better health outcome. Vegetarians are estimated to consume about 25 percent less saturated fat in their diet. This means they rarely have problems with obesity or type II adult onset diabetes.

Since vegetarians consume less animal fats, they also tend to avoid many problems such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, angina, heart attacks and strokes. Lower cholesterol levels keep the blood circulating through the body more easily and it does not place undue pressure on the heart.

There is also irrefutable proof that eating vegetarian can prevent certain types of cancer from occurring in the body. Countless studies have shown time and time again that high consumption of fruits and vegetables and lower intake of meat can reduce cancer risk by around 50 percent. The antioxidant properties of some vegetables and especially cruciferous vegetables can protect the body from cancer causing agents.

People who have digestion problems should seriously consider changing to a vegetarian diet. Heavy and dense meat products take a long time for the body to digest, this can lead to a sluggish digestion system that is unable to fully eliminate waste. After a while, the inability to get rid of waste effectively can lead to stomach, colon or intestinal cancer. Vegetarians eat foods that are much more easily digested and therefore can avoid many digestive problems.

Eating meat can not only cause health problems for you, but it can also be detrimental to the environment. Beef and other meat production have a serious impact on the environment. For example, much of the Amazon Jungle is being cut down and destroyed to make space for cattle farms and stations. If you cut out meat, then you are reducing the total global demand for meat. Your contribution may not seem like much, but if many of us make a change we can make a real impact in a positive way.

Research done into the environmental impact of meat production indicates that it is one of the most damaging industries. It is responsible for a lot of habitat loss, water and air pollution and the extinction of different species. Among meat production, beef and pork are considered to have the worst environmental impact. This is a very important reason to significantly reduce your meat consumption and move towards becoming a vegetarian.

By deciding to follow a vegetarian diet meal plan you can increase your life expectancy, as well as improve your quality of life as you age. You will enjoy significant health benefits from refraining from eating meat that will protect you from several dangerous and debilitating diseases and illnesses. A change to a Vegetarian Weight Loss diets will also help to protect the environment from the effects of meat production.

Changing Your Diet To A Low Carb Vegetarian Diet is a post from the Vegetarian Vitamins Guide blog where you can find suggestions and advice from vegetarians and vegans on vegetarian diets, supplements, vitamins and overall nutrition.

Amazing Health Essentials With The Low Carb Vegetarian Diet

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:57:46 +0000

Becoming vegetarian is more and more popular as people become aware of the health benefits and the environmental benefits that it can manifest. A vegetarian diet can help to significantly reduce the risk of diseases and conditions such as heart disease, diabetes type II, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, obesity and some kinds of cancer. Due to better understanding, there are also more vegetarian options available at restaurants and supermarkets.

There are a few different types of vegetarian diets. Vegans do not consume any type of meat or animal products at all and will often not wear animal products either. Lactovegetarians still eat dairy products; ovovegetarians will eat eggs, and flexitarians refrain from red meat, but sometimes eat chicken or fish.

When you are vegetarian you have to be careful that your diet is high enough in some nutrients that typically come from animal products. Developing a nutritional plan will increase your nutrient intake and prevent missing out on certain vitamins and minerals. Be careful to include foods that have protein, iron, B12, vitamin D, zinc and calcium.

An alternative to animal protein is legumes. This can be kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas and so on and these should be a part of a vegetarian diet several times a week. Whole grain foods are also able to provide a certain amount of protein in the diet. Vegetarian iron sources include spinach, dried fruit and Brewer’s Yeast, which can be added as a supplement in food. There are some cereals that are enriched with iron as well.

Getting enough zinc in your diet is essential for maintaining a strong immune system. Men also need zinc for healthy sperm production. You can get zinc by eating wheat germ and nuts. Vitamin B12 is mostly found in animal products, so it may be a good idea to take a vitamin B supplement to ensure that you are getting enough.

People need good amounts of calcium to have strong bones and teeth. If you do not have enough calcium and vitamin D, your bones may become brittle and you could develop osteoporosis. Calcium rich foods such as soy and tofu and spinach, broccoli and kale can ensure that you will have strong bones and healthy teeth.

Much of the vitamin D that we need comes from the sun, but dietary sources are mostly milk and fish products. If you are the kind of vegetarian who does not eat milk products or fish, then you will probably need to supplement your vitamin D levels with a tablet. You may also be able to find some foods that have vitamin D added.

It is entirely possible to replace the vitamins and nutrient we get from animal products with vegetarian sources. To do this effectively however, you will have to put some thought and planning into your low carb vegetarian diet. If you successfully plan your diet to include all essential nutrients, then you will most definitely enjoy the health benefits of a high protein vegetarian diet and lower your risk of developing lifestyle related illnesses and diseases from high intake of saturated animal fats.

Amazing Health Essentials With The Low Carb Vegetarian Diet is a post from the Vegetarian Vitamins Guide blog where you can find suggestions and advice from vegetarians and vegans on vegetarian diets, supplements, vitamins and overall nutrition.

Frankly, There Are No DigestIt Side Effects

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:46:34 +0000

Ask any computer wizard or software genius if given the chance to work in front of the PC without any break, they will ask you back, “What’s a break?” Spending more time in what you are doing can make you capable of depriving your body from all the needed rest, nutrients and healthy lifestyle. However, if you don’t know how to get a break from your work, take five or give a good rest, what you are doing might break you in half. I should know that because I’m also working most of the time on my computer. So as not to compromise my work, I have to adapt a healthy lifestyle and one of things that I did was to buy DigestIt to help me detoxify my body freeing it from all the toxins inside. I don’t worry about DigestIt side effects because there are none whatsoever. If anyone wanted to have a clean system but don’t have the time and money from anema, then, they can go for DigestIt.

Frankly, There Are No DigestIt Side Effects is a post from the Vegetarian Vitamins Guide blog where you can find suggestions and advice from vegetarians and vegans on vegetarian diets, supplements, vitamins and overall nutrition.

More Information On Berries Of The Goji Plant

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:25:18 +0000

Goji berries are one of the ingredients which make up Le’Vive Juice from Ardyss world. The Goji berries supply a flavour profile starting from a light lemon to a semi sweet raspberry plum.

Goji berries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some of the components are B-complex vitamins, Vitamin A and Vitamin C, as well as eighteen amino acids. The berries are packed with at least 10% protein and contain a lot of iron. See more at mangosteen

Folk in the Mongolia and Tibet region have been using these berries for hundreds of years. Normal folk medication uses of Gogi berries are as a blood tonic, to nurture the heart, relieve heart pulsation, enhance immune system, insomnia, forgetfulness, absence of energy, and stress related to blood and chi deficiency.

More Information On Berries Of The Goji Plant is a post from the Vegetarian Vitamins Guide blog where you can find suggestions and advice from vegetarians and vegans on vegetarian diets, supplements, vitamins and overall nutrition.

All About Veganism

admin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:36:55 +0000

To some people, the phrase “Vegan Cuisine” sounds like an oxymoron. To others, it sounds like the road of a hardcore food nutritionist. “Scary,” was the word used by my roommate when I announced I was going to try to become a vegan. What most people don’t realize is that it’s very possible, indeed even probable, for a creative chef to make vegan food just as exciting and full of variety as any other type of cuisine. What is veganism, first of all? Strictly put, veganism is a diet which contains no animal byproducts. Not only do vegans not eat meat, like Vegetarians, but they also do not consume any food created by animals. No milk, no eggs, no dairy of any kind. No pasta derived from eggs. No gelatin. When you stop to think, it is surprising how much of the typical American diet is animal-derived. All of this, I admit, can sound rather scary to the typical meat and milk lover, and certainly to the typical American who is surrounded by fast-food hamburgers and bologna sandwiches from a young age. But veganism is not as intimidating as it sounds. In fact, when the right choices in recipe and menu are made, it can be extraordinarily flavorful and rewarding. Think of it this way: Vegan cuisine can’t rely on heavy, flavorful ingredients like meat and dairy to get its flavor and substance. So what do they do instead? They replace those ingredients in a way that makes you never even miss them- with fresh vegetables, heady spices, wonderful texture combinations and delicate wheat-based starches. One of the most uniquely vegan foods on the market, and the one that tends to scare the layperson the most, is tofu. Tofu is basically a soybean curd with a sponge-like consistency and a bland taste that absorbs whatever flavors are around it. Am I tempting you yet? Wait. Let’s try this. Imagine a dish of Italian stuffed shells, loaded with tomato sauce and basil, garlic, and oregano. Now imagine that instead of cheese, the shells were stuffed with a mixture of soft tofu, blended with fresh spinach. The tofu absorbs the Italian spices and has a delicate, creamy flavor all its own. Would you notice the absence of the cheese? Sure. Would you miss it? Not likely. There are many recipes unique to vegan cuisine that are truly surprising in their variety and tastiness. Curry is one of the darlings of vegan cuisine, and is available in all forms and flavors. Other wonderful vegan dishes include several types of stir-fry, swimming in soy sauces and fresh vegetables; salads overflowing with fresh beans and sweet oil dressings, and many spicy and exciting side dishes and appetizers. Many people, for example, love the wonderful garlicky zing of hummus and do not realize that it’s a distinctly vegan food. Give vegan cuisine a try. Once you stop relying on meat and milk for your flavor and fullness, you might just discover a whole new world out there, where spices are abundant and soybean curd can be delicious.

Information on how to grow potatoes can be found at the Fruits And Vegetables site.

For great info on vegan vitamins, vegetarian supplements and nutrition, visit www.vegetarianvitaminsguide.com today!

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All About Veganism is a post from the Vegetarian Vitamins Guide blog where you can find suggestions and advice from vegetarians and vegans on vegetarian diets, supplements, vitamins and overall nutrition.

Find Comfort in Ergonomic Office Chairs

admin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 05:11:55 +0000

Ergonomic products are still a great mystery to many people. Even though they are now in many advertisements, on websites and in stores, some folks will not stop to consider the good that can come from these amazing items. Instead of being a fad or trend, ergonomic products are made to last and help you become healthier and more productive. You will find that ergonomic chairs have many adjustable parts, such as the armrests, back, seat and height. After making the necessary adjustments and giving their bodies the needed support, most people cannot believe how much more work they are able to do.

Find Comfort in Ergonomic Office Chairs is a post from the Vegetarian Vitamins Guide blog where you can find suggestions and advice from vegetarians and vegans on vegetarian diets, supplements, vitamins and overall nutrition.

Understanding Vegans

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:36:09 +0000

Cooking for the Vegan is more or less like cooking for any other ethnic or religious group which restricts certain things from their diet. A little creativity will win you some big points with your vegan customers, and furthermore will help conquer a niche market. Vegans often mourn the lack of restaurants that cater to their needs. Providing some imaginative menu entries for vegan customers will make a happy patron who spreads good word of mouth to their vegan friends!

Understanding Vegans. . .

Vegans are vegans for any combinations of these reasons:

_Health_ The Vegan Diet includes whole grains, beans, soy products, olive oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and fresh spices. Resultantly, they argue, their diet is very high in protein, vitamins, beneficial monounsaturated fats, and antioxidants and other micronutrients, while being moderate in sodium, calories, and saturated fats. In addition, they automatically exclude those scary food contamination problems that strike their meat-eating counterparts, such as e. coli and mad cow disease.

It should be noted that there are essential vitamins missing from the vegan diet, most notably B12, iron, and calcium, which they must supplement by other means. Vitamin-fortified foods or vitamin supplements are usually used.

_Ethics_ Probably the biggest concern is for animal cruelty. Vegans typically wish to exclude any and all forms of “”animal exploitation”" – not just meat and leather, but even the products that you can obtain from an animal without killing it; because even milking a cow or shearing a sheep for wool is still exploiting an animal for a human’s benefit. This is a belief, when held, which varies in degrees of commitment from philosophy to religion.

_Environmental Responsibility_ The typical environmental impact talks about methane gas from domesticated animals being as bad for the ozone layer as emissions from car exhaust, and about how it takes this many acres of land to sustain one cow where the same acres could more efficiently be used to raise crops, and so on.

_Religion_ While religions which specifically require veganism are rare, several sects of Buddhism still require strict adherence to non-violence, including killing an animal. Parts of different philosophies, which usually focus on reducing the impact one’s life has on the Earth, also suggest or enforce vegan beliefs.

_Aesthetics_ It can certainly be argued, if you’ve been inside a slaughterhouse, that the factory-like process of butchering animals is unpleasant in smell and appearance. Vegans also boast that their food just plain tastes and looks better. They say that the elimination of salt, grease, animal fat, and so on keeps their palette clean enough to taste the real essence of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Vegan Cuisine. . .

One wonders where vegans would be without soybeans. Soy forms a big staple in the vegan diet, in the form of soy milk, soy meat substitutes, and tofu. It is interesting that vegans work so hard to create so many things out of soy beans that look, smell, and taste just like the meat and animal products they are trying to eliminate. Anyway, soy substitutes will be a big part of any large vegan banquet, particularly because soy is so easily fortified with other vitamins and nutrients.

International cuisine holds many wonders for the vegan dietary spectrum. In particular, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Southern Indian, Thai, Mesoamerican, East Asian, and East African cuisine have a rich tradition of recipes and dishes which happen to be vegan-friendly. This is due in part to some parts of the world having birthed their culture in a regional area that doesn’t have a handy livestock animal nearby, or just being poor grazing grounds to start with.

But also, many cultures of the world have a wealth of native crops which lend some interesting flavors to the cuisine. At least here, you can be a little envious of vegans – some of them are gourmets in their own right, and can regale you with tales of Indian curry, rice pilaf, almond deserts, salsa, baba ganoush, seven-grain bread, and various other cultural specialties. Particularly in contrast to the typical North American and European Union homogenized diets, which sometimes seem to consist entirely of hamburgers and fries or chips, the vegans certainly get a wider variety of flavors.

A chef can see this as an artistic challenge to be creative within a strict set of rules, and studying some vegan recipes and the menus at vegan restaurants should give you a host of inspiring ideas.

Meat substitute will usually be some form of tofu. Tofu comes in textures ranging from soft, which is about like yogurt or jello in consistency, to very firm, which is more like a hard cheese. Tofu is marvelous because it can take on the taste of virtually anything.

Make tofu bacon by slicing thin strips of hard tofu and frying in a skillet with vegetable oil, adding a couple drops of liquid smoke flavoring. Or grind hard tofu into a good hamburger and chili substitute. The medium-texture tofu can be used for a cheese substitute. And soy, itself, can be made into anything from milk to yogurt to ice cream, some of it tastes as good if not better than its animal exploiting counterpart.

Find your health food and many useful information about food guide at this restaurant directory.

For great info on vegan vitamins, vegetarian supplements and nutrition, visit www.vegetarianvitaminsguide.com today!

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Understanding Vegans is a post from the Vegetarian Vitamins Guide blog where you can find suggestions and advice from vegetarians and vegans on vegetarian diets, supplements, vitamins and overall nutrition.

Recommended Healthy Portion Sizes for Vegans And Vegetarians

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:36:41 +0000

It seems that many people today, with the various diets and lifestyles, lack the essential understanding and awareness of recommended serving sizes. Often we we will look at that handy and insightful nutrition information label, but we’ll overlook the little part that tells us exactly how much of the product the nutrition facts actually apply to. In general and contrary to the common assumption among many people, the ‘Nutrition Facts Label Serving Size’ is not related to the ‘Food Pyramid’ recommended servings.
It appears that today the serving sizes that are being printed on products in the US “are more uniform and reflect the amounts people actually eat” (according to the FDA website). A level of concern about this may not be unfounded, especially considering rumors you may have seen on several websites (I have been unable to prove or disprove them) stating such unbelievable statistics as 40 percent of the average diet in America being comprised of dairy and only 8 percent being fresh fruit!
However, glancing at a few products, the serving sizes do seem reasonable so far, for instance 5 crackers amount to one serving. Therefore it would seem they may be studying the healthier half of the American population to derive these portions. There’s no justifiable cause for over reaction to the aforementioned FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) statement at the current time. Thank goodness.
Still, I would like to provide for you a basic outline of suggested daily servings and portion examples for a balanced plant-based diet (source cited below):
Breads/Grains – 6 to 11 servings daily – 1 oz ready-to-eat cereal – 5 or 6 small crackers – 1/2 cup cooked cereal, rice, pasta, noodles – 1 slice of bread – 1/2 hamburger bun, English muffin ~ 1 small roll, muffin, biscuit
Vegetables – 3 to 5 servings daily 1/2 cup cooked beans, peas, legumes – 1 cup raw leafy vegetables – 1/2 cup cooked or raw vegetables – 3/4 cup vegetable juice
Fruits – 2 to 4 servings daily 1/4 cup dried fruit – 1/2 cup chopped fruit – 1 melon wedge – 3/4 cup fruit juice – 1/2 grapefruit – 1 medium apple, banana, orange
“Protein or Meat Group” Substitution – 2 to 3 servings daily 2 tablespoons peanut butter – 2 tablespoons nuts or seeds – 1/4 cup tofu or tempeh – 1 cup soy milk – 1 egg or 2 egg whites – 1/2 cup cooked dry beans or peas.
Milk/Yoghurt/Cheese – 2 to 3 servings daily 1 cup milk – 1. 5 oz natural cheese – 2 oz processed cheese – 1 cup or 8 oz yoghurt
(To maintain a Vegan Diet you can substitute these animal products with nuts and seeds, tofu, kale, edible seaweeds, watercress, parsley, dried figs, or calcium fortified soy milk for example)
Fats, Oils, Sweets which are low in hydrogenated, saturated, and trans fats, to be used sparingly of course!
Credit to source: “Vegetarian Diet Information” (copyright 2003-2008)

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Recommended Healthy Portion Sizes for Vegans And Vegetarians is a post from the Vegetarian Vitamins Guide blog where you can find suggestions and advice from vegetarians and vegans on vegetarian diets, supplements, vitamins and overall nutrition.

Sources Of Vegetarian Omega 3 And What Vegetarians And Vegans Should Know

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:35:54 +0000

Vegetarian omega 3 sources allow those with alternative diets the same opportunity to enjoy omega 3 benefits. Vegetarians and vegans already have a diet that has been shown as beneficial for lowering the risk of heart problems and other diseases prevented by some fatty acids, but it is because it is rich in omega 6 and linoleic acid.
Like most daily diets, these vegetable-based diets are low in omega 3 fats, often called alpha-linolenic acid, which allows your body to produce docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaeoic acid (EPA). These fats are the ones most people lack regardless of their diet, but also the most beneficial.
Natural Food Sources
Omega 3 benefits are generally associated with fish and fish oil, but those are not the only food sources rich in fatty acids. Flax oil and milled flax seeds are the richest vegetarian omega 3 sources. For an additional source of omega 6 and 3 sources, consider hemp seed and oil. Rape seed oil and olive oil contain smaller amounts of these nutrients, but you need to be careful since rape seed oil is an irritant for some people.
Oils and seeds are not the only omega 3 foods from non-animal sources. Tofu and walnuts have some omega nutrients, but are actually higher in omega 6s than 3s. Dark, leafy green vegetables such as broccoli and other vegetables such as cabbage also have these powerful nutrients and make great additions to your diet.
Vegetarian Omega 3 Fortified Foods
Eggs are one food that has added omega 3 benefits because they are often naturally fortified by feeding the chickens an abundance of flax seeds. Milk producers and yogurt companies frequently add vegetarian based ALA as well. For strict vegetarian diets, however, these foods are off the list, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy the health benefits.
Several brands of margarine and salad dressings use alternative oils such as olive or flax as their base. If you are drinking milk alternatives, consider soy drinks that include flax seed products. Yet another source of ALA for vegetarians is grain breads. The biggest rule of thumb is to read labels since different brands use different sources.
Supplements
One of the biggest omega 3 sources for everyone is supplements. Supplements are not necessarily from a vegetable base, so vegetarians need to watch labels. Flax, hemp, and perilla oils are a few of the common supplements available.
All of the sources vary significantly in the actual omega 3 benefits your body receives. Fish oil, for example, requires two separate processes in order for your body to use the substance while flax oil requires three. One of the highest vegetarian sources of omega 3 is microalgae oil, which your body can begin to use immediately with no additional processing. Microalgae oil gives you the maximum benefit of omega 3s. In addition, microalgae oil contains the proper balance of EPA and DHA making it a far superior source to any other including fish.
While foods and oils like flax oil and walnuts are a source of vegetarian omega 3, microalgae oil supplements is a higher source while being easier for your body to use. This allows everyone to enjoy omega 3 benefits and a healthy lifestyle.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Omega
3 Benefits and Microalgae Oil, visit
http://www. Source-Omega. com.

For great info on Vegan vitamins, vegetarian supplements and nutrition, visit www.vegetarianvitaminsguide.com today!

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Sources Of Vegetarian Omega 3 And What Vegetarians And Vegans Should Know is a post from the Vegetarian Vitamins Guide blog where you can find suggestions and advice from vegetarians and vegans on vegetarian diets, supplements, vitamins and overall nutrition.

Vitamin D And the Raw Vegan Diet: Part II

admin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:36:06 +0000

In part II of “Vitamin D and the Raw Vegan Diet,” I look at vitamin D3, problems with supplementation, and winter weather. Be sure to check out Part I for information on where vitamin D comes from, how much we need, and the toxic ingredients in sunscreen.

D3?

Vitamin D (as well as vitamin D supplements) actually comes in two forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Although once thought to be equivalent, it is now known that vitamin D3 (manufactured from exposure to UVB rays) is not absorbed by the skin right away. It actually takes up to 48 hours before the majority of the vitamin D you have been exposed to has entered your bloodstream.

What’s the big deal?

After a nice, sweaty day spent outside, what’s the first thing we want to do? Take a shower.

And what do we typically do in the shower? Lather on lots of sudsy soap.

Uh oh. The problem here is that you are not just washing away your sweat with that soap. If it’s been less than 48 hours, you are stripping your skin of all that precious vitamin D!

The solution? Well, there are a couple:

#1: Wait two days to shower

I may not wear makeup or lots of fancy accessories, but I am still a lady.

I am not WAITING two days after sweaty time in the sun to rinse off!

#2: Only use water

I like to take a shower almost everyday so this is my personal preference.

I know, I know. Only water?!

If you eat a healthy, low fat raw diet, without added salt, spices, or condiments, you really do not need to use soap. In fact, I NEVER use any form of soap, natural or not, to clean my skin.

But I’ll save that for another post.

Problems with Supplementation

The research out there on problems with supplementation of any kind, including vitamin D, is rather extensive.

One particular study conducted in 2008 showed that vitamin D supplementation can actually block the Vitamin D Nuclear Receptor (VDR), which is necessary for the “repression or transcription of hundreds of genes, including genes associated with diseases ranging from cancers to multiple sclerosis. ”

Here is a quote from the professor at Australia’s Murdoch University School of Biological Medicine and Biotechnology, Trevor Marshall, Ph. D. , as quoted in a ScienceDaily article on the study:

Molecular biology is now forcing us to re-think the idea that a low measured value of vitamin D means we simply must add more to our diet. Supplemental vitamin D has been used for decades, and yet the epidemics of chronic disease, such as heart disease and obesity, are just getting worse.

Our disease model has shown us why low levels of vitamin D are observed in association with major and chronic illness,’ Marshall added. ‘Vitamin D is a secosteroid hormone, and the body regulates the production of all it needs. In fact, the use of supplements can be harmful, because they suppress the immune system so that the body cannot fight disease and infection effectively.

Debbie Took from RawforLife makes a very good point regarding supplementation and animals in the United Kingdom:

The animal world is full of clues as to how to live healthfully. So, as looking at domesticated mammals (ingesting various unnatural substances in their feeds) would complicate things, let’s consider wild mammals such as squirrels, deer, rabbits. They don’t supplement (and neither do they eat oily fish or vitamin D-fortified milk).

Sure, they’ll get lots more sunlight each summer than we will (which gives us a clue as to lifestyle adjustments to be made). However, the supplement manufacturers like to make us feel that no matter how much sunshine we get in the UK summer our health is going to be compromised if we don’t take D supplements in the winter. Yet these animals are doing just fine! (but note they don’t sit behind windows, soap themselves down daily, drink alcohol or overeat either. . . )

Well said, Debbie!

I think I’ll take a lesson from my animal friends and stick with simple (and free) sunshine.

What About Winter Weather?

Because vitamin D is fat-soluble, it can be stored by the body. This means that you have the potential to get enough sunshine during the warm months to last you through the winter.

But don’t think you can’t get a wicked tan in the winter time. Did you know that you can get pretty seriously burned from sunlight that is reflected off of snow?

Now, you won’t catch me sunbathing in 30 degree weather and I certainly do not recommend it. But if you’re a fan of cold weather (or a masochist), be my guest!

My Advice to You

If you haven’t already, be sure to make the most of the last couple of weeks of mild weather before it gets too cold.

Remember, all it takes is 15-30 minutes outdoors (unless you have dark skin, in which case you will require more exposure) to receive adequate vitamin D.

You can spare a few measly minutes for your health, right?

For more information on the best raw vegan diet, be sure to visit Fit On Raw and subscribe to Swayze?s newsletter Peachy Keen Ezine. By subscribing, you will also receive the free report The 4 Principles of a Healthy Raw Diet as well as the 5-week mini-course The Fool Proof Transition to Raw.

For great info on vegan vitamins, vegetarian supplements and nutrition, visit www.vegetarianvitaminsguide.com today!

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Vitamin D And the Raw Vegan Diet: Part II is a post from the Vegetarian Vitamins Guide blog where you can find suggestions and advice from vegetarians and vegans on vegetarian diets, supplements, vitamins and overall nutrition.