Editor’s Note: Earlier this year we sat down with Greg Long and talked all things health. The following is an excerpt from our conversation.
Greg Long. 70% raw, 30% cooked veggies and a little bit of fish here and there. Photo: Jeremy Searle
I quit eating any red meat or white meat about ten years ago. Originally, I stopped eating meat after physical complications when I returned from a trip down to Mexico. I got a parasite and got really sick for a few months. Afterwards, whenever I would eat meat, my body would have a really difficult time digesting it. It just wasn’t breaking it down, and I’d feel sick for a week after.
I was vegan for almost a year at one point, and it felt amazing, but it became really difficult to travel. A lot of places, I’d have to take a suitcase of food with me, and it just became extra work and stress. Often, everyone was going out to eat, and I’d sit there at the table, twiddling my thumbs and watching everyone. Eventually, I decided I felt like there was stuff I was missing out on. But as far as my health, that was the best I’ve felt in my entire life. I eat a little bit of fish now. So when I’m traveling, and I can’t get the best quality fruit and veggies, there is always fish to get my protein intake. Otherwise, when I’m home I probably eat about 70% raw, just fruits and veggies, and 30% cooked veggies and a little bit of fish here and there.
I quit eating fish there for a while too, and immediately felt a lot better. It was at that time, when I was about 22 years old when I really started researching more about health and nutrition and diets and what they might contribute and negative aspects to them. It was at that point I also started reading more about farming processes especially here in the US, and I was just turned off from eating meat on a number of different levels.
One, I just didn’t need it. My body didn’t need it. I felt better when I wasn’t eating it. Two, after looking at a lot of the inhumane farming processes, you have to go to pretty extreme lengths to find anything that is farmed in a way that is somewhat respectful. But really it comes back to the fact that I feel great without it. I don’t need it.
It’s everyone’s choice to live however they want, and choose what they want to eat. I wouldn’t criticize anyone for their diet or their personal beliefs, but for me it’s been about ten years without eating meat.
