Living Life On The Veg

With vegetarianism on the rise nationwide, the Talon takes a look at the members of the CB community who have adopted the lifestyle.  

The just-released “Vegetarianism in America” study, published by the website Vegetarian Times, shows that 3.2 percent of U.S. adults, or 7.3 million people, follow a vegetarian-based diet. Approximately 0.5 percent, or 1 million, of those are vegans, people who consume no animal products at all. In addition, 10 percent of U.S., adults, or 22.8 million people, say they largely follow a vegetarian-inclined diet.

CB’s very own Jet Haresco (’13) and Ms. Tracy Chadbourne live the meat-free lifestyle.

For Jet, the change is fairly recent.  For just one month he has been committed to vegetarianism, a change he says was inspired by several close friends who are vegeterian.

That’s not to say this lifestyle is the perfect fit for everybody.  The senior does admit to facing some difficulties — he lives in a Filipino household “where everybody eats meat 24/7” — but he recommends the change, a sentiment echoed by Ms. Chadbourne, who adds that “you have to do it right.”

She converted nearly five years ago when her daughter decided to stop eating meat.  For the Spanish teacher, the choice was more pragmatic than anything else.

“We’re a family of two, and when you have a family of two, you don’t make two meals, because it’s just not smart,” she said.

Though becoming a vegetarian was heavily influenced by her daughter, she says even when will be an empty-nester, she will continue eating meat-free.

For those interested in the vegetarian lifestyle, it does have both perks and drawbacks in terms of health.

“You need to get a good cookbook, and you need to do some research or you’re going to be really dizzy and not have any energy because of the lack of protein,” declares Ms. Chadbourne. “Once you figure it out, it’s super easy, but I feel like if you don’t know how, you should ask some questions.”

Although it can be challenging, switching to a vegetarian diet can result in great payoffs.

“I feel healthier.  I feel more energetic, and just alive.  And I’ve heard it’s great for weight loss,” Jet says.

Suffice to say that for these two members of the CB community and many more, vegetarianism has been a positive lifestyle change.  The no-meat trend is not only in vogue, it is also good for personal health, your waistline, and the environment.

As the number of vegetarians on campus swells and CB moves into the era of the environmentally conscious, try considering vegetarianism for yourself in 2013 and beyond.