Insights:I dare you…

I am about to pitch a proposal that may have the mayor kick me out of this city-to ditch meat and go vegetarian. In a town that is as famous for it’s zesty, mouth-watering brochettes as it is for its beautiful women (and road medians), it is hard to tell anyone to live off beans and spinach for the rest of their lives. But women, hear me out… First of all, a vegetarian diet is easy on the wallet without compromising your nutritional intake; can you imagine how much you could save in a year if you cut out meat? How many more pairs of shoes you could afford to buy after staving off meat for a few months? (I am sure you know how to bribe a woman!) If you absolutely cannot live without meat, give your body a ‘detox’ for a few months; giving up meat helps purge the body of toxins that eventually cause illness. You will notice increased levels of energy, as your blood sugar becomes more stable-that means less fatigue/sleepy feeling after meals. If I don’t have you sold yet, I hope this will; the prospect of healthy, glowing skin! Diets rich in water-based and plant foods are a source of antioxidants and vitamins that leave your skin. This could also be because of the improved digestion owing to the foods rich in fiber. On the healthy side, a veggie diet reduces your cholesterol levels, which is healthy for you; this has also proven to reduce chances of high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes and strokes. This is on top of the fact that it keeps you lean as well as boosts your immune system. Think of all the vitamin C and beta-carotene in fruits and vegetables. Better yet, this new regimen may help you live a few years longer. I saved the best for last, a vegetarian diet is great for curbing menopausal systems; hot flashes, depression, weight gain and loss of sexual desire (yikes!). This has been attributed to the natural estrogens in plants, which curtail the drop of estrogen levels. If you choose to let off meat for a few months, here are a few tips to keep in mind: Eat a wide variety of foods Consume eggs in moderation Limit intake of sweets and high fat foods Choose whole grain products like brown rice as opposed to polished rice One last thing if this seems like the proverbial mountain to climb-you don’t have to make a drastic change in your life as you could make the dietary changes gradually. Good luck with this! If you have any questions, contact me anytime. Aki.akanyange@gmail.com

Lifestyle

Insights:I dare you…