Veggie Lovers

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Organization trying to give vegetarian and vegan students place to call home

while bringing more awareness to the lifestyle

Rebecca Preston

Issue date: 3/16/09 Section: Life

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Media Credit: Courtesy of Capri Holderby

 

 

 

Media Credit: Courtesy of Capri Holderby

 

 

One major part of the college experience is finding a group one identifies with

and feels akin to, but this can be a challenge for vegan and vegetarian

students.

 

Going to the cafeteria for dinner is a common activity for students, but for

those with such diet restrictions can cause them to feel out of place or

awkward. Vegan and vegetarian students are sometimes ridiculed for their choices

and might feel others do not understand them.

 

The Veg'N Life Society is an organization on campus trying to give vegetarian

and vegan students a place to feel at home and provide them with the support

they need to stand up for what they think is right.

 

Capri Holderby, founder of The Veg'N Life Society, said the group's goal is " to

bring vegetarians and vegans together and give them the opportunity to feel a

part of a group. "

 

The group provides vegetarians and vegans with support that is often needed for

those trying to do something out of the ordinary.

 

" Vegetarian students often feel like they are alone and at a great social

disadvantage because of their diet, " Holderby said. " It is very difficult for

those living on campus to even get a vegan or vegetarian meal, which in turn

makes them feel out of place. "

 

Along with providing support to vegetarians and vegans, the group wants to do

things around campus to make life easier for them. Once the group receives

approval from the school, it hopes to get more vegetarian/vegan options on the

cafeteria menu.

 

Not only will the group provide vegan and vegetarian students with a social

network, but it also hopes to bring more awareness to this lifestyle.

 

The group plans to host activities such as potluck dinners, food sampling in the

Student Center and " The Great American Meatout, " which is an international

observance day to promote vegetarian diets, in order to show people that

vegetarian and vegan food is more than just tofu.

 

Animal rights are also a concern for the The Veg'N Life Society, for it is a

common reason in eliminating meat from one's diet.

 

One key goal the group has is to institute a student-choice policy regarding

animal dissections and other animal rights movements.

 

Some choose to stop eating meat strictly because of animals, but some choose

vegetarianism in order to live a healthier life, like dietetics major Morgan

Haddox.

 

Haddox said she became a vegetarian a little over a year ago because she wanted

to be healthier and improve her overall well-being.

 

" By not eating meat, you can't just go through a drive-through and get a

hamburger or chicken nuggets, " Haddox said. " You are forced to make something,

which automatically makes you eat healthier. "

 

She also said avoiding meat aids in weight loss, lowers one's risk of heart

disease and aids in general diet quality.

 

Rebecca Preston can be contacted at preston43.