Why is it that people think of vegetarians/vegans as sickly?

[CrispyQ]

A few weeks ago a young woman came to my door selling magazines. Usually I say no, but she was so outgoing & I liked her so I took a look through what mags she had to offer. I decided to get Veggie Life. As she was writing up the order she asked if I was vegetarian. I said yes. Then she said, "I would never have guessed that. You look so healthy & have such beautiful skin."

This was a first for me, although I know other veggies who have encountered this stereotype. But where does it come from? Even before I was veggie my perception was that veggies are healthier, but I realize now that most people do not think that.

I remember after going veg, many, many years ago, I went through a period where my digestive tract was adjusting to my new diet & I had the most horrendous gas. No kidding, it could peel paint off walls - lol. I also suffered more digestive discomfort than I had while eating meat. However, after about 6 months, that all cleared up & I felt soooooooo much better. My skin cleared up, my hair started growing very fast, my mouth & gums got healthier, I didn't have issues with elimination like I had before.

Sure there is lots of veggie/vegan junk food & veggies who choose to eat lots of crap may be sickly, but most of the veggies I know are very healthy. I dare say, they are more healthy than their meater counter parts.

Share your thoughts & experiences.

[RebelOne]

1. I'm a vegetarian and to look at me you would know

that I am anything but sickly.

[yewberry]

2. This is just my perception, and it's only part of the equation.

Okay, sort of a two-part theory:

I get the sense that the most vocal veg*ns tend to be (broad generalization, but valid, I think, in terms of trends) the newest and/or youngest ones. These are the ones who may speak the loudest, because they're still learning about factory farming methods and environmental effects of the standard American diet, and they may be dealing with ethical revelations (to them.)

The newest veg*ns are the most inexperienced at handling nutrition and managing how best to meet their bodies' needs. At the same time, they may be at a place where they're still transitioning out of old eating habits and not aware of the changes that they may need to make. (eg--Who doesn't know someone who tried to be vegetarian by replacing meat with pizza, mac & cheese, and toast? Who doesn't know someone who tried to go vegan and didn't go to the trouble of finding out about omega supplementation?) Their bodies may still be adapting to the changes, as in your case. These are going to be least healthy veg*ns as a group.

Putting the two thoughts together, the most vocal representatives of veg*nism (and so the ones that people see and identify as such) are the least healthy. The more experienced veg*ns (ie, those who are the healthiest) are usually less driven to "witness," and so are not visible or identifiable as veg*ns. I don't know about you, but people don't usually know I'm veg for some time after meeting me.

I certainly don't mean to criticize anyone with this theory--least of all new veg*ns, who need support and encouragement--but I think there's some validity to it.

Thoughts?

[CrispyQ]

7. You may be on to something here.

I was most vocal when I was a newbie veg. Now I don't say anything unless someone asks me about it & most people don't pay much attention.

And when I first went veg I lived on cheese pizza, Little Debbie snack cakes & Coke. :crazy:

It took a long time before I started eating more whole foods.

[livinginphotographs]

3. Even when I ate meat I was skinny.

Just because someone does or doesn't have meat (no pun intended) on them doesn't necessarily mean they're healthy or unhealthy.

I think it's as simple as people being brainwashed into believing that milk is good for you, meat is one of the four food groups, etc.

[flvegan]

4. Well, I'm a vegan gym rat.

I take special pride in the "I wouldn't have expected you to be a vegan" comments I get at least once a month. This is one of the top two reasons that I work out as much as I do. As a debunker, I'm happy to spread the message that not all vegans are waif-like.

Additionally, I'm never sick. I haven't missed a day of work the entire time I've been veg. I point that out. Everyone I work with (we're a tight group) knows it. Matter of fact, I currently have 1 vegan and 1 vegetarian at work largely because of me/my example/my loudmouthed devil-may-care opinion.

The tape measure says this:

Chest: 50"
Bicep: 19"
Thigh: 25"
Calf: 18.5"
Waist: 36"

I'm 210 lbs (I fluctuate between around 207 and 215), my body fat is low and I haven't taken anything to get here. Granted, I have very good genetics, I'm a certified trainer (so I sorta know what I'm doing), and I have a drive that nobody else in my gym has...to be a walking billboard for a positive, cruelty-free lifestyle.

[CrispyQ]

9. ...

Keep spreading the message!


:yourock:

[yewberry]

10. Well, I know I'm not the first to say it

but you are a MONSTER!

:7

[Gothic Sponge]

5. I have an answer....However, I'm too sick to reply right now.

:evilgrin:

[CrispyQ]

8. lol

:rofl:

[Robeson]

6. That is funny, especially since most veggies I know are in the best...

...shape of most people I know. And stay in that shape, for a longer period throughout their lives.

It always trips me out too, as to why the meat lobbyist think that.