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Benefits of vegan diet cited
by former meat-eaters
By Rebecca
Hansen
May 5, 2009 | LOGAN -- When Candice Mattson decided
to go vegan, she said she did it because it has the
potential to help every living being on the planet.
Mattson, a 23-year-old student at Utah State University,
said she had been toying with the idea of veganism since
she had graduated high school. She said she never really
liked meats, so she finally "got up the guts to do it."
"For me, it was mostly ethical reasons," Mattson said
of her change in diet. "Most animals that are used for
food in this country are denied of every natural living
feeling or rights that they can have. I don't agree
with that."
According to the Vegetarian Resource Group's (VRG)
Web site, vegans are like vegetarians in that they don't
eat any animal flesh, but they also won't use any animal
byproducts such as dairy products, eggs, leather or
fur. Mattson said she doesn't see a difference in the
way animals are treated whether they are being used
for their meat, or for their byproducts.
And Mattson is certainly not alone in her beliefs.
Robert Hirschi, a computer programmer, said he made
the switch after reading a book that convinced him factory
farming was "extreme, hard-core animal abuse." He couldn't
be a part of it and has been a vegan for the 24 plus
years since, Hirschi said.
But ethics is just one of the reasons some make the
switch to the vegetarian lifestyle. Maria Lichty, a
health educator, said she initially cut out red meat
for health reasons, and poultry, pork and fish soon
followed.
"I realized I didn't even like chicken, pork, etc.,
so why eat it," Lichty said.
While they all have their reasons, going vegetarian
or vegan has its challenges as well.
Jenifer Baird, a mother of three, made the switch
to veganism two years ago. She said the hardest part
has been as simple as not being able to find certain
food items at the grocery store.
"Living in a small town, some items aren't available,"
Baird said. "I have to go 30 miles to the bigger town
which has a specialty health food store."
Mattson said the most difficult part for her has been
dealing with "common misconceptions and debunking myths."
"Aside from all the myths that we can't survive or
thrive on a diet devoid of animal products are the thoughts
that people who are vegan are ‘overly-sensitive', ‘hippies',
or ‘tree huggers'," Mattson said.
According to the American Dietetics Association's
website, appropriately planned vegetarian diets are
healthful, nutritionally adequate and provide health
benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain
diseases.
Hirschi said his life changed drastically after he
switched. He said aches, pains, heartburn, headaches
and stomach aches all went away, among other changes.
"After eight or nine years, I noticed that I never
create body odors like a meat-eater does," Hirschi said.
"That may sound odd but I know it's true."
Baird said that in addition to losing 35 pounds, she
gets over colds faster, her eyesight showed a slight
improvement and her libido increased. In addition to
physical improvements, she said veganism has required
her to step out of her comfort zone and try new foods.
Lichty said being a vegetarian has "opened my eyes
to a variety of tasty foods."
Mattson said she has also seen improvements in her
health and enjoyed the variety veganism has added into
her life, but that was just the beginning.
"There's something about not eating animals that makes
you empathize with them more. You care about them more."
Mattson said. "Even seeing the robins around my apartment,
the squirrels on campus, or the calves on the way to
work makes me happy."
As for those thinking of making to switch to a vegetarian
or vegan diet, "go for it," said Mattson. Take things
slow and make goals, she said.
"I think being vegan is a celebration of life," Mattson
said, "and you can celebrate that life with others because
you're not taking that life anymore. It's an awakening."
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