Hot new trend: VB6
VB6 was the Word Spy Word of the Day in my inbox yesterday. It stands for Vegan Before 6 (p.m.), the idea being that you eat a vegan diet until then but afterward eat whatever you want for the rest of the night.
I could do the vegetarian version of that, and often do, but not the vegan. I like milk and yogurt and cheese too much.
Oddly, I had run into the concept for the first time just a couple of days before on Mark Bittman's blog, but now I can't find the entry to link to it. ...
The latest citation on Word Spy for the term says it means no animal products, processed foods or simple carbohydrates (such as refined sugar) before 6.
It also attributes VB6 to Bittman, but I guess the writer means the concept, not the catchy abbreviation, which seems to have been coined by a commenter on Bittman's blog, Mats Flemstrom.
It seems to me a doable and health-promoting trend, without too much fanaticism involved. Still, I haven't heard of anyone around here trying it.
It also reminds us that whatever our diet (for weight, for cholesterol, for diabetes), we can get benefits even if we can't always stick to it. That's a problem for me as a restaurant critic. Believe it or not, given what I've written here, I do try to eat healthily most of the time. But when I review, all bets are off. I just have to say that's OK and get back on the straight and narrow the next day.
(Algerina Perna/Sun photographer)
Comments
I'm a VWS – Vegan While Sleeping
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | June 5, 2009 8:37 AM
We met a couple on our honeymoon. I'll never forget what the lady said... "I'm vegitarian, so I only eat fish." I've also heard of Meatless Mondays.
Posted by: Bob UU | June 5, 2009 8:58 AM
I'm with Owl on this one. Meat and cheese are the building blocks of my food life.
Posted by: Frequent Little Italy Restaurant Visitor | June 5, 2009 9:03 AM
Somebody once told me the definition of "vegan" was that you could not eat anything that had a face. I was stumped because I love pumpkin...
Posted by: Cleatus | June 5, 2009 9:12 AM
Bittman's webpage had a link to this January 2009 Reader's Digest article, an excerpt from his recent book Food Matters which included the "vegan before six" phrase, if not the acronym.
Posted by: hmpstd | June 5, 2009 9:19 AM
I read the entry on Bittman's blog as well. Here's the link: http://bitten.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/30/dining-al-desko/
Posted by: smcm02 | June 5, 2009 9:20 AM
Hmmm...any "diet" that says you can eat whatever you want after a certain point of the day/week, etc., leads to eating too much.
I can do a lot of damage after 6 pm!
Posted by: lvnbraves | June 5, 2009 9:36 AM
Seeing that asparagus reminded me that I checked out the Edgewood Farmer's Market.
Fantastic Harford County produce!
Posted by: bryanintimonium | June 5, 2009 9:43 AM
bryanintimonium, I wish the hours were better for the Edgewood Farmer's Market. It's hard to get there while there's a good selection when the hours are 3-6 on Thursday afternoons.
Posted by: Stacy | June 5, 2009 9:53 AM
I've been programming computers for too long. Seeing "VB6" in the title made me cringe.
Posted by: Hal Laurent | June 5, 2009 10:25 AM
Agreed, Hal. Even a short attempt to exist on VB6 would lead to death.
Posted by: Lissa | June 5, 2009 10:39 AM
I completely misread the title, probably because I was trying to read while participating in a conference call --serves me right for actually trying to work -- and I was confused and puzzled: why was EL discussing VPL as a hot new trend on D@L? I know we happily swerve and lurch from topic to topic, but this was...um...different.
Posted by: *◄:o)╥╥~YumPorchetta | June 5, 2009 11:15 AM
So, YumPo, what is VPL? Variable Propulsion Landing?
Posted by: Lissa | June 5, 2009 12:20 PM
Lissa -- I think YumPo may have been thinking of this.
Posted by: hmpstd | June 5, 2009 12:30 PM
Erm...thanks? hmpstd. I think I'll go back to dreaming of spaceships.
Posted by: Lissa | June 5, 2009 1:11 PM
VB6 WILL LIVE FOREVER!!! AS WILL IE6
Posted by: Anonymous | June 5, 2009 1:40 PM
That's what I'm afraid of, Anonymous. Night-sweat afraid of.
Posted by: Lissa | June 5, 2009 1:47 PM
Today is National Donut Day!
Posted by: Anonymous | June 5, 2009 2:06 PM
As a software engineer, I cringed when I saw the text "Hot new trend: VB6".
Posted by: SgtGrumbles | June 5, 2009 3:03 PM
Hah, beaten! Glad to see other VB haters follow this blog :)
Posted by: SgtGrumbles | June 5, 2009 3:07 PM
Fatal flaw in the VB6 strategy for me, personally: sugar in my tea!
Posted by: Loose Canon | June 5, 2009 6:11 PM
What animal does sugar come from?
It's a simple carbohydrate, one of the no nos. EL
Posted by: Anonymous | June 5, 2009 6:59 PM
And, if you are eating vegan, honey is slavery, so it is a no-no.
Posted by: Lissa | June 5, 2009 10:45 PM
I would think it would be better, at least as far as digestion, to be a vegan after 6pm.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | June 6, 2009 12:08 AM
Simple carbs or sugars as we Earthlings call them have no prohibition in veganism, quite the contrary.
Now if you want to really rile up the vegans bring up certain sexual practices.
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | June 6, 2009 1:50 AM
Care to elaborate, Owl?
Posted by: Dahlink | June 6, 2009 7:56 AM
They aren't supposed to eat meat. That is what you meant, Owlie?
Posted by: Lissa | June 6, 2009 9:18 AM
Owlie, nor fish nor fowl?
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | June 6, 2009 12:55 PM
Furries?
Posted by: RayRay | June 11, 2009 12:48 PM
For the sake of the gods, RayRay, if you don't know what furries are, *don't* google them!
Posted by: Lissa | June 11, 2009 2:03 PM
had to go there, didn't you, RayRay?
just did the tea spit and trying not to laugh outloud!
Posted by: Joyce W. | June 11, 2009 2:12 PM
RayRay, I am DELIGHTED you went there. I am giggling inside right now.
Posted by: Stacy | June 11, 2009 2:48 PM