Q - Millard North High School

May 10. 2011 focus 6 May 10. 2011 focus 7Photo Illustration designed by James GeigerGoing for the greensMN students craft their own vegetarian lifestylesnithyarajagopalannews editorSavory chicken nuggets orbulky burgers don’t appeal tothem; alluring scoops of spaghettiand meatballs, and eveninfamously irresistible slices ofpepperoni pizza do not quenchtheir appetite.In fact, the closest a selectgroup of MN students, generallylabeled as vegetarians, get toeating meat is in animal crackersand Goldfish snacks.Vegetarianism encouragesthe consumption of plant-basedfoods, including fruits and vegetables,with the option of animal-basedproducts (dairy, egg,gelatin, rennet, etc.). However,it also characteristically encompassesthe practice of abstainingfrom meat products—a conceptthat would incite cringes frommost in today’s omnivorous society.“I really didn’t think I wasgoing to be a vegetarian until Iwas ten years old and accidentallyate an animal that I onceknew,” junior Taylor Seymoresaid.Seymore was sharply joltedinto the vegetarian lifestyleafter unknowingly ingesting heruncle’s cow. She would havenever previously anticipatedembracing a meat free lifestyle,yet seven years and many of herfavorite peas and corn kernelslater, Seymore stands as a proudvegetarian.“Personally, it was that [incident]that changed my mind,but if done correctly, I thinkvegetarianism can also be a reallyhealthy choice,” Seymoresaid.Lower levels and risks ofcholesterol, blood pressure,heart disease, and diabetes arejust a few of the health perksthat Seymore enjoys. Yet healthAt first, I started craving meat [and] Ialso get made fun of a lot. It sometimesis difficult to find vegetarian choices, butI’ve gotten used to it.Vaibhav ViswanathanSophomorebenefits are not a given for allof those who embark on a meatlesspath.“A lot of people just usevegetarianism as an excuse toeat junk food as their [whole]diet. [A vegetarian lifestyle] isdefinitely not for everyone,”Seymore said.But even healthy choicesdone right were not solelyenough to propel forth a lifestylechange in others, such asthe case with sophomore VaibhavViswanathan.“I have been a vegetarianfor four years. I thought aboutwhat I was eating and I wantedto take a more nonviolent approachto life encouraged in myreligion,” Viswanathan said.The most difficult phase,the transition from an omnivorousto a herbivorous diet, certainlycame with an array ofadversities for Viswanathan.“At first, I started cravingmeat [and] I also get made funof a lot. It sometimes is difficultto find vegetarian choices,but I’ve gotten used to it,”Viswanathan said.Though vegetarianism requiresa certain level of willpowerand resolve, unlike thecase for Viswanathan, abstainingfrom meat was never an issuefor sophomore NimanshaJain.“Culturally, I have grownup [avoiding] non-vegetarianfood, so following vegetarianism[is] easy,” Jain said.Indeed, religionssuch as Hinduism, Jainism, andBuddhism foster vegetarian ideals,as do several monastic sectsof Christianity. But even despiteher deeply seated religious motivations,challenges still persistfor Jain as she practices vegetarianismin a meat-heavy cultureeveryday.“At restaurants, there is asmaller selection of food itemsI can eat. Sometimes, the vegetarianfood runs out and I can’tfind a replacement. Lastly, Ihave to be careful with any foodthat I eat [to make sure] there isnot meat in it,” Jain said.Though these same challengesexist for junior JessicaThai, there is no question aboutThai’s commitment to her vegetarianlifestyle.“One day when I wasyounger, I went to a PETA rallywith my friend and after watchingthose videos, there wasno way I could ever eat meatagain,” Thai said.Despite the varying motivationsthat fuel MN’s vegetarians,one factor remains contheirlifestyle and the vaststant—their commitment toamount of dedication re-quired.“Vegetarianismdefinitely has its challenges,but I reallywouldn’t want it anyother way,” Thai said.“About five years ago meand a friend decided to bevegetarians. My parentsthought it would just be aphase. There were no realreasons, we were just talkingand decided it. We bothhave been animal rightspeople.”— Ally Shirley, 10Views“I’ve been a vegetariansince I was born. Myparents have been reallyhealth and organic conscience.We always shopat Whole Foods.” — ImaniStation, 12“I guess you could say I’m avegetarian, who sometimeseats chicken. I’ve never eatenany other meat due to religiousbeliefs. Cow is sacred in Hinduism.I was introduced to chickenas a child and have eaten it sincethen. At times it can be difficultto find something to eat when outand about, but you become usedto it.” — Sri Narayanan, 10“I guess you could say I’m avegetarian, who sometimeseats chicken. I’ve never eatenany other meat due to religiousbeliefs, cow is sacred in Hinduism.I was introduced to chickenas a child and have eaten it sincethen. At times it can be difficultto find something to eat when outand about, but you become usedto it.” — Audrey Tompkins, 11“I wouldn’t really considermyself a vegetarianbecause I do eatmeat, but at home weusually stick to just eatingchicken. So I guessI’m a ‘chickentarian.’”— Rohan Khazanchi, 10Some vegans go as faras not wearing clothesmade from animals,such as leather, wool,and cotton.Lacto-ovo vegetariansdo not consumemeat, fish, seafood,and poultry. Howeverthey consume all dairyproducts.Infographic designed by Bridget van BeaumontInformation compiled by Elizabeth Graff and Casey WaughnOvo vegetarians do not consumeanimal by-products excepteggs. Lactovegetarians do notconsume animal by-productsexcept for dairy products.A vegetarian person thatdoes not eat meat, fish, seafood,and poultry. Vegetariansdon’t eat products thatcontain gelatin in them. Thisis because it is made fromanimal’s tissue, bones, andintestines.A pescatarian doesnot eat any animalproducts except forfish.There are five categoriesof vegetarianism: lacto-ovovegetarian, ovo, lacto, pescatarian,and vegan.Vegans do not consumeany animal products.Vegan is the strictestgroup under the vegetarianumbrella.Sources: vegetarian.about.com, veg-world.com, vegetarianvegan.comcaseywaughnstaff writerLife is full of many choices.There are choices of what towear, what activities to fill yourschedule with on a daily basisand what to eat. Many people,six to eight million Americansto be exact, make the choice notto eat meat, better known as becominga vegetarian.There are many reasonsteens, or anyone, may chooseto become vegetarian, includinganimal rights, environment,health, religious restrictions,taste and even lactose intolerance.“I think that teens that becomevegetarians want to bemore aware of their environmentthan other teens. They aremore green,” Alegent HealthCardiac Dietitian Toni Kuehnemansaid.Because they only eatplant-based and natural foodsand no meat, vegetarians aremore likely to not get enoughnutrients, such as protein, calcium,vitamin B-12, zinc, andiron, compared to omnivoresVegetarianism uncoveredWhat to know before eliminating meatand people who don’t restricttheir diets.“[When I meet with a client]I first ask what they eat.I find out if they are gettingenough calories, proteins, fat,vitamins and minerals. Proteinis the main concern,” Kuehnemansaid, “People who do notget enough protein canbecome sick more oftenand not grow to theirmaximum potential.”There are manyways for teens to supplementthe nutrientslost from not eatingmeat other than by takingpills and vitaminsupplements. Barley,whole wheat pasta,brown rice, cereal, high-fibergrains, nuts, seeds, tofu andtempeh are all foods that willhelp to give back nutrients lostfrom not eating meat.Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian,Karisa Jansen suggeststhat vegetarians should eat foodfrom all food groups every dayif possible. If vegetarians keepa healthy balance, negative effectsshould be minimal.“If followed properly,[vegetarianism] doesn’t haveany negative effects,” Jansensaid, “However it can be a veryunhealthy diet if not followedproperly.”Although becoming a vegetarianis somewhat risky, ifone supplements the proper“I think that teens that becomevegetarians want to be more awareof their environment than other teens.They are more green,”Toni KuehnemanAlegent Health Cardiac Dieticiannutrients and is smart about thefoods they do eat, the benefitscan be bountiful.“A lot of times we see they[vegetarians] do get more fiber,whole grains and other nutrientspeople lack because of their diversediet,” Jansen said.By eliminating meat fromyour diet, you will get rid of alarge source of saturated fat andcholesterol which will reducethe risk of many chronic illnessessuch as heart disease, diabetes,high blood pressure, obesityand even many types of cancer.“We [Americans] are biggerthan ever but we’re also themost healthy we’ve ever beenas well,” Jansen said, “Peopleare more health conscious.”A c -cording toWebMD,weight lossis also oftenconnectedwith vegetarianismbecausemeatlessmeals allowpeople toeat larger portions for the samenumber of calories. Vegetariansalso tend to not consumealcohol, tobacco, and caffeine,which are all good ways to helpkeep your weight down.“Vegetarians eat manyfruits and vegetables, which isgood because they’re a greatsource of vitamins and minerals.It is also easier to prepare,less expensive and easier tocook,” Kuehneman said.Although vegetarianismhas been around for thousandsof years, it is easier to be vegetarianand have a meatlesslifestyle now than it has been inthe past. Vegetarians now haveeasy access to soy products, andthere whole product lines, suchas Boca and VegLife products,dedicated to vegetarians. Restaurantsusually have at leastone dish, if not an entire sectionof foods, that is catered to vegetarians.“I wouldn’t say vegetarianismis a fad because it’s beenaround forever. However it iseasier to be a vegetarian nowbecause there are more meatlessproducts and more options,”Jansen said.Even people who are notvegetarians could adopt a fewvegetarian practices. WebMDsuggests that it is a good idea foreveryone to eat a meatless mealat least once a week. If consideringbecoming a vegetarian, itis a good idea to speak to a dietitianor nutritionist in order todevelop an individual meal planthat works for you.