BY MarIsa Moore ast year, approximately 5 percent of American adults identified themselves as Lvegetarians — essentially unchanged from the 6 percent who were vegetarians in 1999 and 2001 — and fewer than 3 percent were vegan. However, Americans are incorporating more meatless meals into their diets, and plant- based lifestyles are garnering more attention, and arguably more acceptance, in mainstream culture. Ethics, environment and personal health are the most commonly cited motivations for adopting a strict vegetarian or vegan lifestyle in Western populations, and people who became vegan at a younger age cite ethical and environmental concerns as their primary motivations. While there are a number of other reasons why people are vegan or vegetarian — culture, religion and taste preference among them — ethical veganism is the intersection of animal liberation, human rights and environmental conservation. Vegans follow a plant-based diet with no animal flesh, eggs or dairy products. They also may exclude honey, leather goods or other products that compromise the lives or welfare of living creatures, opting instead for alternatives that support a nonviolent existence. The philosophy that animals have the right to a pain-free existence can be powerful Graphic courteSY OF VeganShirt.com. motivation. Carolyn Tampe, MS, RD, LDN, CDE, who has been vegan since YOU May NOT BE VEGAN, BUT YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND VEGAN Counseling a Conscious Choice 12 Food & Nutrition Magazine • JULY/AUGUST 2013 BY MarIsa Moore the age of 12, says going vegan sends a “Being vegan is very important VEGAN DIETS AND EATING DISORDERS: message. “It’s a protest against the meat to them. When vegans meet a industry to decrease the demand for dietitian or doctor who tries A Troubling Connection meat,” says Tampe. to change that, it’s a turnoff,” There are myriad motivations for adopting a vegan says Norris. “A person desiring a lifestyle, but some studies suggest it also may be Since 1990, the U.S. has seen an increase vegan diet should be treated with used as a socially acceptable way to practice food in meat production of 50 percent, in the same respect as someone who milk production of 16 percent and in follows a kosher or halal diet.” avoidance and restriction. When inquiring about the egg production of almost 33 percent. primary motivation for being vegetarian or vegan, Industrialized farm animal producers While the health advantages be aware of any distorted thoughts about “good,” may adopt voluntary standards of animal of vegetarian diets are well “bad” or “forbidden” foods. Engage in frank but treatment, but this likely will be of little documented (lower risk for sensitive discussions about the client’s eating solace to the ethical vegan community. hypertension, type 2 diabetes habits, attitudes, weight control behaviors or eating Meat suppliers and processors also have and heart disease; lower body disorder history. And if the client’s needs are beyond faced criticism by human rights groups for mass index and lower overall your area of expertise, refer him or her to an eating allegations of labor exploitation, many of cancer rates), research supporting disorder specialist or mental health professional. which were refuted by producers. additional health benefits of a vegan diet is not as strong — The impact that meat and dairy largely because most research is vegan or that vegan-friendly omega-3 production has on the environment is conducted in lacto- and lacto-ovo- fatty acids can be obtained from also a key factor in ethical veganism. vegetarian populations. And health microalgae may help you build rapport While the extent of the damage is hotly not only is a common motivation for and establish credibility — whether you debated with regard to greenhouse gas adopting a plant-based diet, but among are vegan or not. emissions, most sources acknowledge the main reasons cited by individuals livestock’s contribution to massive who shift from vegan to vegetarian or Boston-based registered dietitian deforestation of the Amazon. In return to an omnivorous diet. Janel Funk agrees. “People assume I am addition, water-polluting agents from vegan, but I just eat what makes me feel meat and dairy sectors include animal As with any lifestyle or behavior, best,” says Funk, whose food blog Eat wastes, antibiotics and hormones, external influences can have an Well with Janel features mostly plant- chemicals from tanneries, and fertilizers enormous impact on a vegan experience. based recipes. The fact is, she has never and pesticides used to spray feed crops. A recent study in the Canadian Journal been vegan. But she does describe her of Dietetic Practice and Research found experiences exploring a more plant-based Jack Norris, RD, president of Vegan taste, health, convenience, cost and diet as a blessing. “It got me into the Outreach, describes being vegan as a social relationships often undermine a kitchen experimenting with fermented vow “to protect animals, to protect meat-free lifestyle (see “Tips for Vegan foods, different grains, lentils and other people’s own personal health and to Victory” on page 20). foods I hadn’t tried,” Funk says. save environmental resources.” Norris, whose own journey began in a record To work effectively with vegan clients, For informed, meaningful and sensitive store in 1987 when he came upon a Tampe encourages health practitioners encounters with vegan clients, first People for the Ethical Treatment of to fully understand the science behind inquire about their motivations and let Animals benefit album, became a plant-based nutrition and become that lead the conversation. registered dietitian to help those who familiar with common vegan foods. were interested in a plant-based diet Educate yourself on vegan supplements Contributing editor Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD, but didn’t believe they could maintain and where they can be purchased. For is a consultant based in Atlanta and teaches nutrition at Georgia State University. the lifestyle healthfully. example, knowing that vitamin D3 is not Counseling a Conscious Choice.