Page 103 - Vegan Food & Living (February 2020)

Hmmmm...
emanate from a self-confessed, health-centric
perspective. Revert-vegans will often claim
that the diet made them lack in some sort of
nutrient, or that eating plants induced some
sort of health complaint such as migraines,
dizziness or lack of concentration. Others may
state that veganism made them obsess over
their foods, or become preoccupied with their
calorie/weight/nutrient intake.
For certain individuals, going vegan can
be a challenge. You may spend the irst few
months making sure you’re eating enough,
trialling your way through various meals,
foods and dishes in order to maintain
motivation and ensure optimum nutrient
intake. But there’s plenty of advice out there.
Just visit nutritionfacts.org, check out The
Vegan Society or follow some awesome We need to be receptive breeds comment wars, and can lead to hurtful
vegan blogs to see fantastic examples of how As with any struggling vegan, as a community discussions on veganism between individuals.
nourishing a vegan diet can be. Those with we need to remain vigilant and receptive to I propose instead that we adopt more of a
health complaints, either physical or mental, the tribulations of potential revert-vegans. compassionate approach to revert-vegans.
should not, in my opinion, look to veganism If we notice a fellow vegan who seems to be Rather than ofering our judgement, revert-
as a cure, but rather seek advice from wavering, the most efective way to prevent vegans deserve to be reminded of their
professionals in the ield before attempting a revert-vegan is to ofer your time. Lend an reasoning behind going vegan. Perhaps with
any lifestyle changes. Veganism is not a ear to a vegan in need, ofer to help resolve more encouragement to re-evaluate their
doctor’s prescription destined to provide any potential problems or issues they may new decision, and practical, positive ways
immortality, nor is it something which one be having, and point them in the direction to get around their health ailments or issues
decides to lit in and out of. of some useful advice. Another brilliant way outlined in their reasoning behind reverting.
Veganism, when followed correctly, to help prevent revert-vegans is to remind Above all, we must remind ourselves
ensuring that your nutrition and intentions the individual of the reasons behind their that revert-vegans once made the choice to
are in check, is a sustainable and health- initial decision to live their ethical lifestyle. give veganism a try and have decided not to
airming diet that culminates in ethical Be it animals, the planet or their health, continue their journey. Taking note of their
awareness for both the animals and the help expand their reasoning by suggesting initial reasoning, diet choices and ultimately
planet – a concept which is often lost in the documentaries, blogs or podcasts that may failings, is important so that in future we look
self-focused confessions of revert-vegans. It is help to clarify diicult decisions. for similar warning signs in others who may
doubtful that you’d hear, for example, a revert be struggling, and help where possible.
vegan saying “I just couldn’t go on saving Judgement is not the way forward
animals. The thought of animals being alive Revert-vegans can make current vegans CHARLOTTE WILLIS
and healthy, not having a horriic existence pretty mad, and rightly so (just ask Hench Charlotte is a freelance
full of pain and sufering, was just too much Herbivore, legend that he is). We’re all out journalist and health writer
to bear.” I doubt one gets many subscriptions here trying to achieve the same goal – to eat who has worked with the
Vegan Society and other
or likes for such reasoning. and live with compassion for all not one, when
online vegan publications. Her
Reasons to revert to an omnivorous in comes news of a brand new revert-vegan. ields of expertise include
lifestyle are often extremely personal to the Shocked and disappointed, we’re all quick to nutrition, holistic healthcare,
individual’s own experiences, which cannot jump into the comments mindfulness and itness.
and should not be generalised to veganism as section, ofering
a whole. our opinions and
words of disgust
on the matter.
The internet

VEGAN FOOD & LIVING OCTOBER 103