Sharing - Letter to the Editor

I want to thank you for your balanced views in "Meaty Issues" (Feb. 2002). I know there are lots of pros and cons about consuming beef, fish and dairy products--one study says they're good for us, another says they're unhealthy. But meats especially seem to get bad-mouthed. One vegetarian "guru" I know says that meats cause 90 percent of all illnesses, but gave no references when I asked for them.

While vegetarian diets are cleansing, they aren't sustaining. My studies lead me to believe that a balanced diet--including all foods--is needed to promote good health.

Ted H. Spence, DOS, ND (Doctor of Naturopathy) Exmore, Virginia

There are, as you say, many opposing viewpoints on the merits of incorporating animal products into your diet, just as there are many who would challenge your view that vegetarian diets aren't sustaining. We appreciate all of the comments we receive, and we'll continue to follow both sides of the debate in the coming months.

I would enjoy your magazine more if there were an acknowledgement or realization that many people are allergic to soy and peanut products. While peanuts have all but vanished from health foods and health magazines --replaced by soy--I'm afraid that as many people will have to die from reactions to soy products as did from peanut products before soy is recognized as potentially dangerous.

Sarah Brown received via email

If you're allergic to soy, you still have several options open to you so you can maintain your vegetarian diet. Try substituting Quota, a new meat alternative developed in Europe, for soy-based tofu or tempeh. There also are a variety of non-dairy, non-soy milks you can try that are made from almonds, coconuts and rice.