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Vegans, vegetarians clarify myths, truths
By Diana Matusewic
The vegetarian lifestyle is one of mystery to many.
A discussion group was put together by Karen Wenz of the health and wellness committee to talk about vegetarianism Thursday, which was "The Great American Meatout."
"I wanted to have a panel here who are vegetarians just to give advice to people who want to be vegetarians," Wenz said.
In the Atwood Little Theater Friday morning, a panel of five vegetarians (some vegans) had a discussion about their lifestyle. Each person had his/her own reason for becoming a vegetarian. Some changed for health reasons. The panel also expressed a major concern for animal rights.
Julie Andrzejewski, human relations professor, has been a vegetarian for 15 years and is now a vegan. She has done extensive research on the subject, providing her with a long list of reasons to support her choice.
"The first one is for health reasons. Most of the serious health problems that people have in the United States are related to eating animal products. The meat industry is so terribly monitored that there's a lot of pathogens that are getting into the meat. There are many pathogens in there because of how they're (animals) raised and slaughtered," she said.
According to Andrzejewski, factory farming is cruel to animals.
"Farms are enormous industries that crowd the animals into smaller and smaller spaces. The animals are often mutilated in certain ways so they can be crowded (with) chicken, beaks are cut off; pigs, their tails are cut off, their ears are notched, their testacles are cut off without anesthetics," Andrzejewski said.
She also said that animals are prevented from becoming diseased in such extreme conditions by being fed massive amounts of antibiotics. This is also a health issue for humans because when the meat is consumed, the antibiotics become less effective in the individual.
"We are not given this information because the meat and dairy industry really permeate the school industry," Andrzejewski said.
Before the panel discussion people were given pamphlets entitled "why vegan?," containing graphic pictures of how animals are poorly treated and slaughtered.
There were other pieces of literature on why people should change their diet along with The Good Earth Food Co-op and the Garden Caf� handing out food samples. .
Dan Michaels, computer help desk manager at the Miller Center, is new to the lifestyle. He is taking his time adjusting instead of going through it cold turkey. His advice to those changing to this lifestyle would be to take it gradually and to not do it alone.
"You might take meat out of your diet, but there are so many things you could put into your diet. When you go to a regular grocery store you see white rice and brown rice (for example). There are really dozens and dozens of each with distinct flavors," he said, "in other countries they're not as narrow- minded about food as this country is."
On campus there is a vegan/vegetarian group that meets every Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Sauk/Watab room. They also work for animal rights.
There will be a Vegetarian/Vegan Buffet Tuesday, Apr.1 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Valhalla Dining room, Atwood. The cost is $6.50 per person.
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