Vegetarians in wet suits

[boulderjohn]

I hope the title for this thread draws some attention.

I just want to throw an idea out to see if anyone knows something about a thought that came to me.

A number of years ago I was reading an article about cross country skiing (I do live in Colorado, after all), and the article claimed that vegetarians needed more thermal protection because animal fat stokes the inner fires and helps you keep warm. Living as I do in Boulder, Colorado, I know more than a couple vegetarian divers, and it occurred to me recently that every one of them uses more thermal protecction than the average diver--some use a lot more.

Before I get flamed, I am not recommending a carnivore lifestyle or anything like that--I'm just making an observation.

Does anyone know if there is anything to this?

 

[huskychemist]

Well, I'm a meatatarian, and I've had no problems staying warm in Puget Sound.

 

[Maynard]

Haven't heard of any research on the topic. I am a vegetarian and haven't noticed a big difference in the protection I use compared to other divers.
Hope that helps.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

John, not sure why but some people are just affected by temperature differently than others. I have been diving in a 7mm wetsuit in 40degree water and the drysuit divers I was with where convinced that I was cold...

 

[KidK9]

If God didnt want us to eat meat, he wouldnt have made it taste like beef.

 

[TSandM]

For the purposes of metabolism, fat is fat -- 9 calories per gram.

Many vegetarians are of normal body habitus and therefore not carrying a huge amount of natural insulation. (Don't jump on me -- I've known fat vegetarians, too.)

But there is nothing special about meat fat.

 

[lorien]

I was vegan for a number of years, never noticed it made any difference in any thermal capacity at all. TSandM is right, fat is fat when it comes to caloric value

 

[dlndavid]

Before I get flamed, I am not recommending a carnivore lifestyle or anything like that

Why would you get flamed? Everybody has their own choices to make and there are plenty of carnivores here on SB, oh and some vegitarians too. I really do need to eat more fruits and vegetables, just that the meats taste so good. Have a Fat Tire for me John.

 

[cummings66]

But there is nothing special about meat fat.

I hate to be the one to say this, but have you ever tasted the fat on Prime Rib, that's some high quality fat, certainly better than that of peanut butter.

I guess I get your point, but seriously, special? The only 2 fats I'll ever eat in quantity are Prime Rib and Ribeye, essentially the same. I hate others. Yup, it's bad for me and the doc say's I've got to quit, but it's my only vice.

 

[spectrum]

This came up about a year ago so it does have roots somehwhere. I don't recall it being well founded then either.

Pete