NY Times Op-Ed piece - AAAArrrrggghhhh!

[bubbatoes]

:mad: Anyone else read this article in the NY Times? "Death by Veganism" http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/21/opinion/21planck.html?em&ex=1179892800&en=c13b188909ccc603&ei=5087

It's so frustrating to come across this kind of 'news' and not find a way to respond (no comments section).

Where are all the articles on the kids having heart attacks and diabetes because of the S.A.D? Where is the outrage that a significant number of kids don't eat any fruits of vegetables on a given day?

It's just so sad that this is the kind of thing that gets reported as fact...

[PikkuMyy]

Oh yes. Esp. when this is just an "opinion" piece, and therefore the person is not required to back it up with any facts or references. You can't just say "studies show".

I take particular issue with the assertion that vegan breastmilk doesn't contain enough DHA, found in fatty fish. How many people's SAD breastmilk doesn't contain enough DHA? Most people eating a SAD do not eat the right sort of fish.

And the idea that plant foods are inferior - I think not! The author seems to be stuck in the idea of food combining, and that you can't get proper proteins and amino acids from plant foods.

Furthermore, the reason that there are no vegan societies is not because it isn't healthy, but because it requires access to a variety of plants, grains, and legumes that is not often available in many places around the world, and is only available more recently with expansion of living and business.
Interesting, too, that the WHO and APA say that a vegan diet is appropriate for toddlers providing that it's a balanced mixture of foods. Which is true for all diets.

[vegma]

I just received a newsletter from Dr. McDougall where he responds to the op ed piece (it will be interesting to see if his response gets printed). He refutes, with studies, the many inaccuracies in the original piece. This is a link to his response on his website:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2007other/nytimes.html

I e-mailed a couple of newspapers about their "sensationalistic" headlines when the verdict first came out, but this letter is ridiculous.

[bubbatoes]

Thank goodness there is some sanity left in the world.

Unfortunately, this has become one of the most emailed articles this week on nytimes.com.

I guess sensationalism will always win out over facts...

too sad :(