Ripon College Days

Kudos to Stephanie Chacharon for her informative article, "Student reasons for vegetarianism vary." According to a nationwide survey conducted by ARAMARK, a company that provides food to universities and school districts, one out of every four college students wants vegan meals.

Studies have shown that, on average, vegetarians and vegans are at least 10 percent leaner, and live six to 10 years longer, than meat-eaters. David Jenkins, a researcher at the Clinical Risk Factor Modification Center at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, has reported that "the evidence is pretty strong that vegans, who eat no animal products, have the best cardiovascular health profile and the lowest cholesterol levels."

Vegetarians also save countless animals from pain and suffering. Animals on factory farms are confined in filthy cages, warehouses and sheds. Most never see the sun, breathe fresh air or feel grass under their feet. They are torn from their loving mothers and are debeaked, branded, dehorned and/or castrated without anesthetics. During slaughter, they are often dismembered while they're still fully conscious.

Most environmental problems, including deforestation, fossil fuel depletion and water and air pollution, are caused by animal agriculture. The Environmental Protection Agency has acknowledged that factory farms pollute our waterways more than all other industrial sources combined.

I encourage anyone who needs some extra motivation to visit GoVeg.com and watch "Chew on This," a thought-provoking video listing 10 of the most compelling reasons to go-and stay-vegan. New vegetarians can also order PETA's free 30-Day Veg Pledge pack, which includes a DVD, coupons, delicious recipes, resources for dining out and expert nutritional advice, online or by calling 1-888-VEG-FOOD.

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