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Use common sense to eat well, feel well during holidays Date published: 11/22/2009
BY DONYA CURRIE FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR Most people need to eat a lot more vegetables, but a local doctor cautioned that a vegetarian lifestyle may not work for everyone. "Going vegetarian can be a mistake," said Dr. Robert Vranian, a Fredericksburg cardiologist. Vranian warned of the hazards of dipping below the recommended 45-60 grams of protein a day, or falling low on omega-3 fatty acids if a vegetarian diet isn't well thought-out. "You can certainly find very healthy people who are non-vegetarian, and you can find unhealthy people who are vegetarians," Vranian said. For overall well-being, he said exercise and loving relationships are as important as eating well. "[When] you exercise on a regular basis, have someone you feel comfortable with and you love, that balm of love reduces adrenaline secretions," Vranian said. Those secretions--released during the body's "fight or flight" response to stress--matter because they can raise blood pressure and cause fluctuations in blood glucose levels. It can be tough to feel that "balm of love" during high-stress holiday get-togethers, but one way to ease tension is to be sensitive to people's food preferences. Vegetarian Christine Carlson, for example, appreciated it when her husband's grandmother fixed a vegetarian lasagna. When she learned the recipe included beef fat, she said she chose to finish the meal, anyway, instead of becoming angry. "You're not going to get anybody on your side if you're caustic," Carlson said. "I ate it and told myself, 'This is not going to kill me.'" When she hosts holiday meals, Carlson serves vegan meals that might include tofurky--a meat-free substitute for turkey that looks like a roast and is made from wheat, tofu and beans. If she's a guest at someone's house for the meal, she'll skip the meat and eat the side dishes, which, she said, "is fine with me." Dietitian Nancy Farrell said eating smart at holiday time--whether vegetarian or not--hinges on a little nutritional know-how and common sense. "It goes back to balance, variety and moderation," Farrell said. "The holidays are a time to be with family and friends. You're not going to be perfect. Your intake is not going to be perfect. Just try to keep it in check and have fun."
Date published: 11/22/2009
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