[Momus]

This is possibly a trigger topic for many people.

While I will not deny for a moment that the world is extreamly judgemental about women's bodies. I have noticed veg*n women and girls tend to get it worse. At least from my experince. I have noticed that veg*n women who are slim or just have a small body frame tend to be describe as aneroxia while omni women of similiar body or frame are described as beautiful and sexy.

I also find that people to tend to react strongly to veg*n women who are overweight or just slightly chubby and take it as an example of why vegetarianism/veganism is bad.

And in general I find that people make comments to veg*n women about their bodies that are not socially acceptable in most cases.

I'm not saying that veg*n men don't go through this. I just havn't seen it, personally.

Does anyone else feel the same way? Or is it just me?

 

[kasandra]

i have also noticed this, i am very petite 1.54 and lost 3 kg's when I converted to vegetarian lifestyle, i am now my ideal weight according to my BMI but have to constantly listen to OH your so skinny probably cause you live ONLY ON veggies. Do you eat carbs?

I find the blame also easily falls on me being vegetarian. It is sort of sad.

I get so annoyed cause I havent been healthier in my life and also eat twice as much as before and try new things all the time.

Think in general people just want to be judgemental.

 

[AeryFairy]

I get a lot of "you don't look like a vegan". This means I don't look like what they think a vegan should look like; stick-thin and sickly. It's just another part of the stereotype, and it makes me sad.

 

[Clueless Git]

Just a thought ...

I think it's, no matter what, when most people hear 'vegan' they immediately need to find something wrong with it.

Probably just that people kinda know, at some level in the swiss cheeses that pass as brains for the vast majority, this; If there is nothing wrong with being a veg*an then that leaves nothing right with being a meat-eater.

 

[kasandra]

LOL its when I say I dont like cheese - people think I am from another planet. OR mayo. Seriously YUCK

 

[YellowRose]

I've definitely noticed this too. I'm also a very petite, slim person, and every now and then, someone sees fit to tell me I'm malnourished - even people who have NO CLUE what or how I eat.

I once had a doctor imply that I'm using vegetarianism as a cover for extreme weight-loss. People have asked me if I only do it to stay thin, and they don't believe me when I say I haven't lost a bit of weight from it. I've been called scrawny, crazy, and once, "totally vain and diet-obsessed" (because I turned down a hamburger).

And I'm actually not as thin as a lot of the models and actresses that people think are so perfect and gorgeous. I'm really tired of having people think that because I'm thin, I must be ill.

 

[SuicideBlonde]

"Oh your a vegetarian, no wonder why your so skinny." I am so sick of being called skinny.

 

[fadeaway1289]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momus

And in general I find that people make comments to veg*n women about their bodies that are not socially acceptable in most cases.

Veg*n or not I believe it's NEVER socially acceptable to comment on anyone's body. I think women in general get comments about there bodies no matter what and I'm not really sure if it happens MORE often when veg*nism is mentioned. I've gotten "sickly looking" comments even before it's known that I am veg*n.

I haven't seen the body comments happen to men but I have seen the gay assumption and association when a male mentions they are veg*n.

 

[*AHIMSA*]

It's true on the opposite end too.

I've gotten this and worse:

"You don't look like a vegan"

"I thought vegans were supposed to be skinny"

 

[Identity_thief]

I haven't noticed this, no one has ever commented on my body with regards to veganism. I'm pretty glad because I'd be furious if they did, actually, I'd be furious if someone I didn't know made a comment about my body anyway - even comments that are meant to be good sometimes hurt. Then again I have a lot of "body issues" so maybe I'm hypersensitive, but I think it's most polite not to mention someones body unless you're close to them, or they themselves have brung it up.

 

[veganmama884]

When I just had my 2nd baby and I was 89lbs overweight I got crap for that and when I lost the 89lbs I got crap for that too. You cant win.

 

[Momus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fadeaway1289

I haven't seen the body comments happen to men but I have seen the gay assumption and association when a male mentions they are veg*n.

I noticed that as well. Isn't sad that society views kindness and sensitivity as unmanly.

Note:I am not saying that all gay men are feminine, but that's what the mindset of the people making these comments is.

 

[Randa]

I've actually gained weight after going veg from all the breads I've been eating and I have an omni friend who is extremely thin. I think it's a matter of thin and thick not veg*n and omni

 

[kasandra]

@ Yellowrose

I agree 100% with you as I am in the same boat!

And also with the post stating you can't win!

 

[fadeaway1289]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momus

I noticed that as well. Isn't sad that society views kindness and sensitivity as unmanly.

Note:I am not saying that all gay men are feminine, but that's what the mindset of the people making these comments is.

Well ya know...consuming soy does make you gay and all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kasandra

And also with the post stating you can't win!

You shouldn't even have to. People need to learn to respect others and not comment on their bodies and weight.

 

[sequoia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by *AHIMSA*

It's true on the opposite end too.

I've gotten this and worse:

"You don't look like a vegan"

"I thought vegans were supposed to be skinny"

Me too

Disgusting.

 

[disney.jessica]

I hate it, too.

People already made bad comments about me being underweight before, now becoming vegan is the perfect excuse for them to say more. I've gotten a lot of family members tell me, "You're already skinny, now you're anorexic?". And I tell them I don't care how I look and I became vegan for ethical reasons because I love animals, but of course they don't listen

 

[Shauna_m]

I've noticed it seems to be more socially acceptable to comment on a thin person's weight than a heavy person's weight. I just saw a post (not on this board) where a lady was posting a pic of her "belly bump"...she was very excited to finally be showing I think. But ALL people commented on was how skinny she was...and not in a good way! Yes, she looked about 10-20 lbs underweight and probably a little unhealthy, but she did address it saying she had difficulty maintaining her weight, but was always working on it. And people ignored her and kept talking about it. All I could think about in my head was how it would sound if it were turned around.

"Cute belly bump, you look fat though...that's unhealthy!" Well I try to keep my weight down but I'm always struggling...I'm working on it though." "Well, it's unhealthy for the baby, you really should try to lose that weight!"

I mean I see morbidly obese people post pregnancy pics all the time and NO ONE says a damn thing. That has GOT to be more dangerous for the baby than being 15 lbs underweight (especially if you ARE eating great and just have a fast metabolism). If you've got a BMI of 17 though, people are ALL over you. Makes me sick.

Imagine if the veg*n/omni thing were turned around. I mean, because the average american is overweight and also a meat-eater. So what if we all started commenting on their weight as related to their meat-eating...

"Man, do you really think you should eat that second hamburger, you look unhealthy already. You know eating meat is making you fat right? And that can kill you". "You really shouldn't be so picky, a few vegetables would do you some good." "Are you sure this meat-eating diet isn't just a cover-up for a compulsive eating disorder?"

I'm a pretty decent weight for my height so I never get the sickly OR the fat comments, thank goodness. I still get concerns about my protein though. Yeah cuz I'm just wasting away with a BMI of 24. *rollseyes*

 

[YellowRose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fadeaway1289

You shouldn't even have to. People need to learn to respect others and not comment on their bodies and weight.

I agree with this. It's just plain rudeness and it amazes me that so many people think it's okay.

 

[Herbivorous B.I.G.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clueless Git

I think it's, no matter what, when most people hear 'vegan' they immediately need to find something wrong with it.

Yup.