New York Times Likes Tofu and False Negatives of a Vegetarian Diet
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Posted by Jill Harris Apr 14, 2009 |
Two articles recently caught my attention.
New York Times Writer Digs Tofu
First, an article about tofu appeared in The New York Times. It talks a little bit about the benefits of tofu, health-wise, but focuses on its taste and versatility. For 2009, I think we're going to see a trend in what used to be "health foods" - people eating them as comfort foods and for taste, instead of for their (real or imagined) benefits.
Perhaps people are catching on to this Meatless Monday business, and this is their way of showing it.
Read: Tofu: Not Just for Health Nuts Anymore
JADA Reports Vegetarians at Risk for Disordered Eating
The Journal of the American Dietetic Association published a study concluding that
..."current vegetarians may be at increased risk for binge eating with loss of control, while former
vegetarians may be at increased risk for extreme unhealthful weight-control behaviors."
This statement apparently comes from research showing vegetarians and former vegetarians are more likely to engage in risky eating behaviours. Which is the cause and which is the effect here?
It's known that vegetarianism can be an excuse for those with disordered eating patterns to omit foods from their diets. But is there any evidence that suggests there is something sinister about being vegetarian that predisposes a person to disordered eating?
Without being able to assess the evidence in this article (full-text articles cost money to view) I think it's more likely that people with disordered eating patterns may be more likely to call themselves vegetarians, rather than more vegetarians developing disordered eating.
As usual, however, the media picked up on this story and were quick to report it as rationale to avoid vegetarian diets.
Read: