Students and teachers try to go vegan Thursday, March 03, 2011 By Diana Diaz [ArticleImageHyperLink] Advertising A group of seniors and two teachers recently became vegans in support of a Doc Your Block Project against animal cruelty. Vegans do not consume any products that come from animals. While the students and teachers had compelling reasons for trying out this lifestyle, they found that it came with advantages and challenges. While vegetarians also do not eat meat, vegans do not eat animal-based products of any kind, including eggs and milk. According to TheVeganSociety.com, veganism is a lifestyle that doesn't involve any means of exploitation and cruelty towards animals for food, clothing and other products. Senior Tanya Xavier, who practiced veganism for ten days, said she wanted to become a vegan for the better of animals, even though it was hard seeing all her friends eating “yummy” foods like General Tso’s chicken. “I became a vegan because I want to fully commit myself in the fight against animal cruelty,” Xavier said. While veganism can reduce diseases like diabetes, it also comes with nutritional challenges. Vegans have to make sure to consume enough calcium, protein, vitamin D and vitamin B-12, which others get from animal-based foods. Poor consumption of these nutrients can cause disease. Senior Analise Vindel said she only practiced veganism for the month of January for the Doc Your Block project and she will only continue to practice vegetarianism because veganism was challenging  for her. She said she was teased by other people when she went to fast food restaurants like McDonald's and within one week of being a vegan, she got sick. “I don’t know if it was cause the people around were sick or because I was practicing veganism,” Vindel said. According to Vegan.org, a vegan can obtain all the nutrients they need by planning meals that provide all of these nutrients. “I got a list of foods that a typical vegan would eat to become one,” English teacher Angel Cora said. Cora practiced veganism for the month of January in support of the students’ Doc Your Block project. He said it was hard to substitute the protein that was given by meat. He became irritated since he wasn't able to drink coffee with milk, which he would usually drink everyday. “I don't plan to practice being a vegan ever, because I’ve been used to eating meat and dairy for the thirty years of my life,” Cora said. Some foods that provide protein in a vegan diet are whole grains like rice, wheat bread and pasta, and legumes, like peanuts, tofu and beans. Calcium can be supplied by broccoli, collard greens and soy products, and B-12 can be found in fortified foods and supplements. Vindel said it was hard to find foods that give enough protein and fits with the vegan diet. “It’s been hard. You have to look at everything and make sure it’s not made of milk and cheese,” Vindel said. According to a poll conducted by the Vegetarian Time Magazine in 2008, 1 million people are vegans in the United states. “I applaud the people who can practice veganism, but the way my lifestyle is, I need a balanced diet,”  Xavier said. Joseph Timpanaro, history teacher, said he feels more mentally and physically stimulated and doesn't get stomach aches since cutting out beef and dairy. He also said he feels lighter since he consumes less fat. Heart diseases, diabetes and kidney diseases have been linked to the consumption of animal fat and proteins. According to the American Dietetic Association, having a vegan diet reduces the risk of having these diseases. Timpanaro, who was originally a  pescetarian, a vegetarian who eats fish, said that he didn't find it very challenging because he had will power.  However, he said it was hard to find things that didn't have cheese. Timpanaro said he participated in the project to support the two students that he has known for years. He said he won’t be practicing veganism because he feels being a  pescetarian is sufficient for his health and helping the environment.   “I wanted to support them. [I thought] it would be easier if they had someone to do it with them.”

Back to the articles list