Plant Based, Harmful or Helpful to Veganism? Jay Ziebart, Plant Based for Life When I began my journey almost 9 years ago, I was just trying to save my own life. An undoubtably selfish aim, but one that has led me to my purpose and passion - to reduce suffering. It has been an incredible journey of discovery, unlearning, and learning anew. Not without challenge, I have reaped unimaginable rewards including a beautiful peace within my own body as well as with the world around me. I had no idea what I was getting into when I began, but I knew I wanted to continue to live so I dove deep into the science, ignoring all the swirling, buzzing opinions around every corner. Closing in on a decade later, half a person lighter, stroke level blood pressure now in a safe range, medication-free, happier, and more energetic, I am free to enjoy the rest of my life instead of just enduring it. I love my career and am incredibly grateful that I get to live my passion. I have been witness to, and participated in, so many people’s health transformations. Health that they thought they had lost forever. Some of those people, including me and my husband, have also become warriors for the animals as well. The question I pose to you today: Is a plant-based nutritionist a good advocate for veganism? I would be shocked if anyone reading this article does not have someone in their lives with a ‘lifestyle disease.’ Who comes to mind for you? The nationwide number one cause of death in our loved ones, neighbors, and friends in the United States is heart disease. According to the CDC’s provisional 2020 death statistics, significantly more than a virus that kept us locked down for over a year. The virus is serious and should not be taken lightly, but if more folks are dying, not to mention suffering while they are alive, with a terrible disease that we know how to prevent, why are we not doing more about it? It is not a requirement that you eat healthy to be vegan, but plant-based eating is tied to the message of veganism through food, and that is not a bad thing. As a speaker and nutritionist, I regularly explain that a plant-based person can be vegan or not. There is so much more to it than just food, but the amazing thing I have witnessed over and again, is that the more people feel at peace with their health and connected with their food, the more their perspective widens to encompass healthful improvements in other areas of their lives, including their relationships with nonhuman animals and the world around them. On my own professional journey, I have fully embraced the differences between individuals. Each of us has our own personality, strengths, and challenges. Trying to address this with a one-size-fits-all approach is not the best strategy for success. Adapting to each person’s specific past, path, and perspective, you empower that person. It should not be about anyone else telling that person what they should do. Providing evidence-based information in a customized way for your audience allows them to take that as far as they would like to go. Do you like to be told what to do? Autonomy is essential. If we want to continue to be effective advocates, we can also provide support to help keep them on the path that they have chosen.
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