BY: Emily Mann
When it comes to rising trends around the nation many people are quick to follow. What a lot of people do not think of are the food trends. Veganism has become a vastly increasing food trend among millennials. The majority of the population does not go vegan because they believe in the fast spreading myths. These incorrect facts are statements such as: “Going vegan is too expensive” and “You need meat for protein strength and proper health”.
The common ignorance around the term “Vegan” leads individuals to stray away from the diet or lifestyle. Being vegan in terms of diet means a person does not consume any animal products. This means no dairy, no eggs, no honey, and no meat. In terms of lifestyle being vegan means consuming food free of animal products, buying clothes and shoes free of animal skin and fur, and using cosmetics free of animal products and animal testing. This lifestyle supports the rights of animals. It also supports the environment and overall individual health. This “plant-based” lifestyle has become the top trend of millennials in 2018.
Being a college student is the best time to go vegan. With access to the internet, there are a plethora of resources to learn what the meat and dairy industry is doing to the world.
Netflix offers movies such as:
- “What the Health”
- “Forks Over Knives”
- “Cowspiracy”
Youtube offers pro-vegan videos such as:
- “Vegan 2017”
- “The Best Speech You Will Ever Hear – Gary Yourofsky”
- “101 Reasons to Go Vegan”
College students are usually on a budget and that leads them away from going vegan. Contrary to belief, being vegan saves money. Vegetables and fruit are cheaper than the meat and dairy sold. Research shows that individuals with higher income are less likely to go vegan.
70 percent of colleges and universities now offer at least one vegan option every day. The AUM cafeteria has a “B” rating when it comes to vegan options.
The cafeteria offers the following:
- Uniquely Asian
- Vegetable stirfry
- Lo Mein noodles
- Fried Rice
- All sauces except Fish Sauce
- Home-Style
- Steamed Rice
- Steamed Broccoli
- Roasted Vegetables
- On the Go
- Mixed Fruit Cup
- Fresh Strawberries
- Tu Taco
- The AUMazing Bean
- Black coffee
- Tea
- Substitute any drink with almond milk and ask for no whip cream.
Going cold turkey and turning vegan overnight is not easy to do. It takes time for some people to make this change but more and more millennials are doing it every day. College students are saving money and ultimately saving their lives and the animals’.