Transition to a Plant-Based Diet
I have been 100% plant-based since 2014. Before that, from 2010 to 2014, I was also vegan, with a brief 5-month period where I consumed animal protein. My body has since fully adapted to a plant-based diet.
Athletic Lifestyle and Physical Demands
Since 1990, I have placed a high physical demand on my body athletically. I speed walk through New York many days of the week, do hot yoga 2-3 days a week, practice yoga at home 2 days a week, and continue to shadow box years after retiring from competitive Thai boxing. Additionally, I do weight training once a week, and in the summer, I add outdoor activities like cycling, running, and beach running.
Reflecting on Nutritional Beliefs
Recently, I competed in an obstacle course race with approximately 20,000 other athletes. This experience made me reflect on my beliefs about food in my 20s and 30s. For two decades, I didn’t fully comprehend that our digestive system is a molecular deconstructing machine. It breaks down food and reassembles the nutrients into our physical chemistry so our bodies can use them to maintain and build tissues and provide energy for all tasks, including thinking.
The Energy Demand of Thinking
Thinking requires a significant amount of calories, especially under stress. During stress, our metabolism works harder to maintain emotional balance and prevent our mind from crumbling. Basic activities like breathing and eating consume calories. The act of chewing and the mechanical processes in our digestive system to break down food into valuable nutrients all cost calories.
Digestive Efficiency of Different Foods
Digesting animal protein consumes calories, and some vegetables are also difficult to digest. From an evolutionary perspective, fruit is the most efficient source of calories because it requires the least energy for digestion, allowing the calories to be quickly utilized by the body. This doesn't mean we aren't designed to seek out more complex calories, which are more energy-intensive to digest.
The Stimulatory Effect of Animal Protein
Animal protein is highly addictive to humans because it stimulates the body, and for most of us, stimulation feels good. Without proper stimulation, we can feel depressed and lack energy. When we are very hungry and lack the right type of brain fuel, we can become lethargic, excitable, and more susceptible to ignorant concepts.
Diet and Its Broader Implications
In a state of ignorance, humans are more likely to resort to violence as a solution to problems. While violence is more complex than just our diet, it begins with what we eat and extends to other aspects of our lives.
"I am not perfect. I am not a guru. I am not a master, I am constantly learning. I am a child. I am a fool. I have ego, I have karma. I write for myself and I write, hoping that I leave a positive message behind. I hope that something that I write will help a younger person skip over my traumas in their own life." —Marcus Antebi