THUNDER BAY - For those considering making the transition to a vegan diet, whether for moral or health reasons, there have never been more options available than there are today.
“Basically anything you can imagine that you could have eaten as an animal product is available as a vegan product,” said Steve Lisi, a volunteer with the Vegan Alliance of Thunder Bay.
“In today’s day and age, there is a lot of alternatives, so we are looking at plant based meats, vegan bread, pizza.”
On Saturday, the Vegan Alliance of Thunder Bay hosted a display at the Intercity Shopping Centre to provide information on the benefits of veganism and how to make the transition for those interested in cutting animal products out of their diet.
“I think a lot of people are stuck in their old habits of a meat and dairy diet and are not really open to the idea of eating plant based food,” said Vegan Alliance of Thunder Bay member Allison McLellan. “I think it takes events like this to make people aware that there are other options out there for ethical ways to eat, and healthier.”
The display included samples of food, baking, milk and cheese products from local producers that are completely vegan, as well as cook books, information on health benefits, and kids activities.
“There are a lot of resources for people if they are willing to make that step,” McLellan said. “We are here today to help people make that connection between their food and their bodies.”
According to McLellan, veganism has been linked to reduced cardiovascular diseases and heart attack. Lisi said when he made the transition to veganism three years ago he saw the benefits almost immediately.
“When I made the switch, I lost 100 pounds in eight months, I regained my stamina, my health,” he said. “Everything just got better in general.”
But veganism goes beyond changes to diet and Karleen Zinowski with the Body Shop said it is closely linked to preventing animal testing as well.
“I found a lot of people are really surprised to find animal testing is still going on both here in Canada and around the world,” she said. “But once they know, they definitely start to be more conscious of it.”
“By buying cruelty free, you are supporting that aspect of veganism,” Zinowski added. “When you purchase products that have been tested on animals, you are hurting them.”
Zinowski said some companies might say they are cruelty-free, but if the products are sold in China, they can be taken off the shelf and tested on animals.
When it comes to starting a vegan diet or avoiding companies that continue to test products on animals, it’s all about doing the proper research and looking for alternatives, which are readily available.
“Even just cooking yourself, you can go to the grocery store and just buy less meat or no meat,” McLellan said. “You can get all your nutrients from plants. You don’t need to eat meat. That is a common misconception.”
For more information visit the Vegan Alliance of Thunder Bay website.
