Vegan vs. Bar-B-Que & The Salt Lick Diet

My title isn't fair, at least not at first glance. Vegan food verses the Salt Lick, the world famous bar-b-que restuarant in middle Texas, doesn't seem like much of a match. While both turned to be a nice surprise, both were equally satisfying in their own ways.

I love meat! I do. I must get that clear right now. I can eat rib-eye for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a snack in between, and I always get it rare. Other cuts of a cow are satisfying to me. Bar-b-que always works, because it's salty and sweet. But rib-eye is it, especially when it's wagyu beef.  

Last week, at the Austin Grand Prix, I had several meals in honor of two friends who I would call foodies. Garrett Weber-Gale, '08 Olympic gold medalist, is a health food advocate, and Rich Roll, Ultraman super-endurance athlete, is a vegan. 

Neither Garrett nor Rich are arrogant about their lifestyles. Both are open and friendly, quick to share their diet experience. 

Garrett's all about enjoying good food that's nutritious. He got turned onto healthy foods out of necessity. While training at the world-class level in swimming, he learned he had extremely high blood-pressure. If you want to learn more about him, check out his blog here.

Rich is more like me, a former swimmer who gained too much weight. Rich swam at Stanford back in the day, and then went on to a successful career as an attorney in entertainment. Rich reached the age of 40, thirty-five pounds overweight. Unhappy with his situation, he made some radical changes. To learn more about him, visit his blog, jai ultra, here.

In Austin, I ate a meal in honor of Garrett, though I chose the entertaining and delicious way out. Garrett says you can't be perfect all the time, so I went to a place where I could experience what he'd call a diet cheat.  I also went with my wife, Tif. Checkout our trip to the world famous Salt Lick:

Garrett wouldn't approve of the meal above all the time, but I agree with him about having cheats in your diet.

In honor of Rich (and of Garrett too), in Austin we also ate 5 different meals at their incredibly nice Whole Foods. I got hung on up on the raw food section, which was vegan as well. I told myself I'd give it a try for my good health. I was convinced I'd have to eat something real and meaty within two hours of that first raw dinner..... I WAS ABSOLUTELY WRONG!  I was completely satisfied and full until late the next morning.

I think I got energy dense nutrittion for the first time in years. For the record, I ate a cool carrot soup that was delicious, and a nut burger (sounds gross and bland, but it was damn good too), and marinated veteagbles, followed by a big slice of cheesecake (all natural, no dairy). 

I ate a varitation of the raw dinner listed above 3 more times. I was sold on the flavors alone and sustained energy I got. Based on the experience, I'm buying Rip Esselstyn's book, ENGINE 2 DIET. Rich turned me on to him and his story a few months back. Little did I know that Rip and I went to, and swam at the same high school. Here's the book cover if you're curious:

 

These guys above inspire me. I can't say I'm going vegan or as health food conscious as Garrett. I do think it would be wise, but I'm not that disciplined yet.

If you haven't seen my GOLD MEDAL MINUTE interview with Rich Roll, check it out here: 

Comments

[Swim Racer]

Im wondering about using some supplements while training and possibly for racing any advice you can give would be great, thanks

[goldmedalmel]

Straight up, the Salt Lick was the best b-b-q I've ever had....

For the record, I eat a lot of uncooked vegetables, mostly deep leafy greens. I eat meat, but only about one cut (10 oz) per week. I started this about 2 years ago. I still have gorging weeks, as I call them, but at home I'm pretty strict about my diet....

Too much cheese, though. I eat a whole lot of really good aged cheeses. (Rich Roll and Rip would not approve.) I may drop the cheese for awhile as an experiment...

[Mary]

Interesting, Andrew...

Well, healthy or not, the Salt Lick looks damn delicious. End of story.

[goldmedalmel]

Andrew S, thanks for the comment! You would really get along well with my mother.

[Andrew S]

I don't believe the vegitarian or vegan diets are healthy. I also don't think eating meat and fatty foods for every meal are healthy.
As a Christian I believe every creature was created by God and with minor evolution based on habitat, has adapted to what is best for that creature. I also believe God created every resource on earth for our benefit and for humans to subdue. Cows eat grasses and grains. Their teeth and digestive system is designed for that. Feed a cow meat and eventually it will die. Same thing with dogs, but in reverse. We include grain in dog food for two reasons: We ignorantly think what is best for humans is also best for dogs. And grain is cheaper than meat.
Now for humams. We have eye teeth (canines) and molars (like cows) We needs both for a healthy body. Yes there are examples of vegetarians living long and healthy lives, but interestingly, more often they die prematurly of health related issues "not related to their eating habits."
Even though our choies are slowly being taken away by our governement, I still believe everyone should have a choice as to what they eat. I also believe we should pay for our own health care if we want it. As soon as the government "gives" you healthcare, they will also tell you what you can and cannot eat.