Social Media Staffer Isabelle Duncan is illustrated traveling through a jungle of vegetables which represents her journey as a vegan. Duncan decided to change her diet to veganism after watching a documentary with her dad that showed where her food came from. “After as little as 20 minutes into watching, my entire view of what goes on my plate was changed. I was now seeing what happens behind the scenes to getting my gallon of milk or carton of eggs,” Duncan wrote. Illustration by Antonio Starks
Social Media Staffer Isabelle Duncan looks back on why she became vegan and the importance of transitioning to her new lifestyle.
As someone who was born and raised as a vegetarian, I never really understood why I had to be different from everyone else. My picky diet always seemed to be a burden to so many decisions in my life.
In elementary school, kids didn’t understand why I couldn’t just eat meat like everyone else. I faced childish jokes like kids trying to sneak meat in my lunches and deliberately waving chicken fingers and hotdogs in my face.
It wasn’t until I reached seventh grade that I started to understand more about why I was vegetarian and how my diet affects the world around me. It was just another weekend night with my dad and I scrolling through Netflix to see what new entertaining movies could catch our eye. Being the documentary geek he is, he chose the film “What the Health.”
After as little as 20 minutes into watching, my entire view of what goes on my plate was changed. I was now seeing what happens behind the scenes to getting my gallon of milk or carton of eggs.
Although this may be the norm to most Americans, I believe it is something that we need to reflect on and see how the products we buy in the grocery store are detrimental to our environment and the animals living in it.
The truth is, the commercially bought meat, egg and dairy products are produced more inhumanely than many think. Farm animals are put through treacherous conditions before they are killed in gruesome ways.
Although this may be the norm to most Americans, I believe it is something that we need to reflect on and see how the products we buy in the grocery store are detrimental to our environment and the animals living in it.
I can truthfully say that since I have become vegan I have noticed myself feeling healthier and more active overall. As someone who dances competitively, it is demanded that I have to have the energy that keeps me strong with endurance.
Even if committing to a vegan lifestyle is not an easy process, taking little steps to cut out animal products is doable. Trying out different substitute products and the vegan restaurant options we have in Athens can also help broaden the mindset of those interested in vegetarianism or veganism.
