"Cold Turkey" Vegan
In 2010 I went “cold turkey” and became a vegan - I have been eating a plant based vegan diet ever since. That means that I survived 6 years on a strict vegan diet while also running 80-90 miles a week. One could only assume that being vegan has not hindered my ability qualify and race at the Olympic Trials; you could even argue that being vegan has helped me, but we won’t get into that right now. I will share more about being an endurance vegan athlete another time.
Anyways, in 2010 my announcement to family and friends that I was choosing a vegan way of life was received relatively well. However, it is human nature to question those that stray from the average. With that said, over the years I have gathered humorous and bizarre inquiries about being vegan. I have heard the following statements and questions numerous- if not hundreds- of times, along with countless funny excuses of why one shouldn’t go vegan.
While you might find this list entertaining, it isn’t meant to offend anybody, but offer a venting outlet to one vegan, who just heard one of those statements, one too many times…Hope this makes you smile :)
It’s the food chain
Where do you get your protein from, hmmm?
Vegetables have feelings too you know
Everything in moderation
The animals have to die sometime
Jesus ate fish
You only live once
I knew a vegan once and he was sick
Where do you get your B12?
You can’t eat plants all day
I’m allergic to Tofu
Where do you get your Omega 3 from?
It’s great that you’re vegan, but I couldn’t do it.
Fish aren’t animals
You’re not vegan! Spiders crawl into your mouth when you sleep
Don’t eat the food’s food
You’re laptop has an ingredient in it that’s bad for the environment and you still use it
Are your boots vegan?, what about your wallet, aha!
You should eat a lot of protien bars
Vegans are always tired
Vegans fart more
You’ll have weak bones
What do you eat, grass?
Hitler was a vegetarian
Tofu is disgusting
If you don’t milk the cows they’ll explode
Do you want one? Oh I forgot you can’t eat that.
I could never give up cheese
You can’t build muscle on a vegan diet. You'll probably hit the wall in the marathon.
What can't you eat?
I will answer the last question: I choose not to eat dairy, meat, poultry, or seafood.
I am happy, fueled, and running fast. Cheers!