|
NUTRISPEAK by Vesanto Melina
In addition to taking a little extra vitamin D, I typically try
to go somewhere sunny for a week or two during our grey days of
winter and early spring. This year, I had the opportunity to attend
the Fifth International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition hosted
in California last month. (Program overview at www.vegetariannutrition.org/
program-overview.html)
Held every five years, this conference was the original
inspiration for the our nutrition classic Becoming Vegetarian,
which I co-authored with Brenda Davis. In 1992, co-author Brenda
Davis and I attended the second congress in Washington, DC, from
which emerged our books, now available in four languages across
12 countries. Each Congress we have attended has provided us the
opportunity to hear and meet the eminent scientists,whose research forms the foundation for our books on nutrition,
food sensitivities and disease prevention, which we are continually
updating.
At the event this year, powerful presentations illustrated
the benefits of a plant-based diet, including the reduced risk of
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and various cancers. And,
for the first time, the Congress also featured experts speaking
about the impact of dietary choices on climate change.
Brenda and I learned how to navigate our way through
unfounded rumours about soyfoods, many of them promoted by websites
related to the dairy industry. (See the soy summary and references
at www.pcrm.org/health/prevmed/soy_health.html) It's wise to include
less processed soyfoods (edamame, tempeh, tofu) and fortified soymilk
in a diet with other legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables,
seeds and nuts.
When you think of nuts, do salty peanuts and beer spring
to mind? If so, it's time for an update. Nuts, in fact, can reduce
your chance of developing heart disease. In moderate amounts, they
are the best fats to retain by anyone on a weight loss diet as they
provide protein, vitamins and minerals – calcium in almonds, zinc
in cashews –plus omega-3 fatty acids (in walnuts).
My partner Cam Doré joined me for part of the trip
and we were hosted by the authors and designers of the book The
Nut Gourmet and the website www.vegparadise.com The site contains
extensive listings and reviews of veg-friendly restaurants in the
LA area. We opted for Mary's Secret Garden in Ventura and Juliano''s
Raw in Santa Monica and were delighted with both choices.
Before venturing to other parts of the world, I do
some preparatory web-travel to find restaurants that may be to our
taste. This is tremendously helpful for people with food allergies
and sensitivities to gluten and other food components. In the websites
listed here, you might also discover a pleasant B&B or other
local attractions.
Helpful websites for travel:
www.vegdining.com
www.happycow.com
www.ivu.org
www.vrg.org
Upcoming events near and far
Should you wish to go exploring, here is a sampling
of upcoming events:
April 19: The Vancouver Island Vegetarian
Association presents a free VIVA Fest as part of Earth Day celebrations.
Hear talks by internationally-acclaimed Brenda Davis and environmentalist
Brian Gordon and , enjoy food demos and meet like-minded individuals.
At James Bay Community School near the Legislative building in Victoria
(www.islandveg.com/viva).
June 18-22: Summerfest, at the University
of Pittsburgh in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, features outstanding speakers
and gourmet food provided by chef Ken Bergeron, international gold
medalist at the Culinary Olympics in Germany. (See www.vegetariansummerfest.org)
This is an informative, inspiring conference, which also offers
great opportunities to socialize and enjoy healthy cuisine.
July 27-August 2: The International Vegetarian
Union (IVU) celebratespresents its hundred-year anniversary of a
congress that began in in the same city city, Dresden, Germany,
in which it originated in 1908: Dresden, Germany. Every year, the
congress is held in a different part of the world. www.ivu.org/congress/2008/brochure/layout_english.pdf
September 5-7: Toronto hosts the major Vegetarian
Food Fair at Harbourfront Centre with speakers and abundant food
sampling. http://veg.ca
September 27-28: If your choice is to stay in
our own beautiful city, make sure to take in Taste of Health, Vancouver''s
Earthsave Canada's major, annual vegetarian food event (http://tasteofhealth.earthsave.ca).
This year, it is being held at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250
Commercial Drive. Earthsave also provides bi-monthly dine-outs at
vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurants throughout Metro Vancouver,
as well as potlucks and other opportunities to meet health-minded
people. www.earthsave.ca
Vesanto Melina is a dietitian and author of nutrition classics; she consults from her home office in Langley. www.nutrispeak.com , tel. 604-882-6782.
|
