[troub]

So the other night I was praying for some doors to be opened regarding a vegetarian group on campus, if it was within the Lord's will. Well, today my nutrition and fitness instructor asked if I would be interested in speaking with her nutrition class some time next semester (in a month or so) about the benefits of veganism and to answer some class questions!<br><br><br><br>
Yeah cool!!<br><br><br><br>
So, what sorts of things do you all recommend I bring up? It's a nutrition class, so I'll probably keep it to health related things.<br><br><br><br>
But yeah, any suggestions?<br><br><br><br>
Should I just walk in, play a clip of "Steven the Vegan" and walk out? Mention that, yes, yes, yes I do get enough protein? Tell them that, oddly enough, fish are animals. It's pretty open ended, so. And it's exciting!

 

[Mrrple]

I think my favorite thing about eating vegan (aside from no guilt) is the wonderful feeling I get from eating wholesome foods. Make sure you talk about balanced diets and include lots of different sources of protein besides tofu. Also have knowledge of what to do about B12, since that might be a question most people will ask.<br><br><br><br>
Just be sure to keep the talk nice and positive about all the benefits of veganism. :] That's my best advice..

 

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

I have no advice, just wanted to say YAY! HOW COOL!

 

[Wednesday_12]

I think maybe it might be a good idea to encourage people to have one vegan day a week or something? I know that a lot of omnis get put off from veg*nism because it means they can never eat meat, cheese etc. which they can't bear to give up! But having one vegan day a week is manageable for them- it's good for their health, and better for animals and the environment. Imagine if everyone had one vegan day a week? That would already reduce animal product consumption by a huge amount...<br><br><br><br>
Point out the fact that you only need to have 3 servings of meat per week to maintain a healthy diet (without substituting) and that most people have at least 10! (One every night with dinner, plus some during lunch and breakfast as well!). This is far too much animal product consumption and it means high cholesterol levels, higher fat levels and bad hearts!<br><br><br><br>
It might also be a good idea to say that normal foods are vegan too! Try and give them meal ideas that they can make using regular ingredients, because that way they are less freaked out by the idea of becoming vegan! Some stir fry's, salads, soups are really good!<br><br><br><br>
I don't know if this is the kind of stuff you are after actually...

 

[karenlovessnow]

Wow, what a great opportunity!! Go you!<br><br><br><br>
Yes, what they ^^^ said. And maybe bake some yummy vegan cookies to hand out...I know, they may not be entirely healthy since cookies are a snack food, but an occasional treat is necessary to maintaining a healthy diet...they need to know a vegan diet is not about being deprived. The way to win them over is through their stomach!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> Don't forget to let us know how it goes!

 

[isowish]

that's great, t <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br>
I like Karen's idea of handing out something tasty. I think if you can photocopy a vegan recipe or a couple of vegan recipes and maybe the vegan food pyramid for them to take away that would be cool <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Indian Summer]

I think you need to touch on a number of issues, obviously. Maybe you can photocopy some recipes to hand out, then pick one of them to go through and analyze the nutritional content - what you get and, just as important, what you avoid.<br><br><br><br>
You should probably also say something about why people choose to become vegan - that it's not all about nutrition.<br><br><br><br>
Maybe something about common myths - cow's milk is a good source of calcium, that you need all this protein, that you need to eat fish for omega-3, b12 supplements are "unnatural" etc.<br><br><br><br>
Also think about what questions they might ask and how you want to answer those.<br><br><br><br>
Anyway, I have faith in you. I'm sure you can do this really well.

 

[Scorpius]

"Steven the Vegan" is kickass. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":up:"><br><br><br><br>
And good luck, I did made a similar mini-presentation at my old dorm.

 

[cryptoveggie]

Bring food! Like cookies or something.

 

[eggplant]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Indian Summer</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><br>
Maybe something about common myths - cow's milk is a good source of calcium, that you need all this protein, that you need to eat fish for omega-3, b12 supplements are "unnatural" etc.<br></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Yeah, that's what I was going to say. Try to clear up some of the common misconceptions people have about nutrition and veganism.

 

[*AHIMSA*]

Since you have a month, why not send away for some free literature/pamphlets etc. that each person can take with them, one that explains many of the cornerstones of veganism?<br><br><br><br>
That is the most effective way I have ever done presentations. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":up:"><br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.pcrm.org/magazine/gm05summer/tools.html" target="_blank">http://www.pcrm.org/magazine/gm05summer/tools.html</a><br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/WhyVegan.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/WhyVegan.pdf</a><br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.vivavegie.org/vv101/101reas2003.htm" target="_blank">http://www.vivavegie.org/vv101/101reas2003.htm</a>

 

[Beachbnny]

So cool! That's awesome Troub!!!<br><br><br><br>
I agree with everyone's ideas about bringing food. Nothing opens people's eyes like food. AHIMSA's ide is genius! The ideas about photocopying (with permission) and handing out recipes are great too. Maybe a side by side nutritional comparison on two similar meals one vegan and one not.<br><br><br><br>
I think one of the most inportant things to talk about is where vitamins and minerals come from. Most people don't know these things. If you ask someone where calcium comes from they usually say milk but it's a mineral that comes from the earth, that the animals eat, and we (they) get it through them (though animals aren't grazing and are getting supplements these days). It's the 5th most abundant mineral in the earth, I think. So cut out the middle-cow and help people understand where vitamins and minerals come from (the earth).<br><br><br><br>
I'm excited for you! This is going to be a great opportunity to speak for people's health, the animals, and your beliefs!

 

[Lornaa]

I think everyone has given some wonderful suggestions here, now you just have to sort it out and put it in order! I really like the idea of suggesting a healthy vegan meal once a week. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[taryn]

People always say how healthy fish is because of the omega fatty acids, but mention how flax/hemp is actually 6 times richer in omega fatty acids in comparison with fish...plus without the mercury!<br><br><br><br>
Look here in the "Flax" section: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid</a>

 

[Wednesday_12]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>taryn</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
People always say how healthy fish is because of the omega fatty acids, but mention how flax/hemp is actually 6 times richer in omega fatty acids in comparison with fish...plus without the mercury!<br><br><br><br>
Look here in the "Flax" section: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid</a></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Wow! I did not know this! *Goes to buy flax seeds*

 

[taryn]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Wednesday_12</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Wow! I did not know this! *Goes to buy flax seeds*</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
I was so happy when I found that out. Just another thing someone can't tell me I'm lacking by having a vegan diet. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/pibo.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="ibo:"> I put flax seeds on my cereal in the morning and my baking if I can fit it in. Sometimes I also take a tablespoon of straight flax seed oil...but only if I am feeling hardcore. Flax is my friend. ahah

 

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>taryn</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I put flax seeds on my cereal in the morning and my baking if I can fit it in. Sometimes I also take a tablespoon of straight flax seed oil...but only if I am feeling hardcore. Flax is my friend. ahah</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Baking it removes the benefits though, it's heated too much.

 

[taryn]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Tofu-N-Sprouts</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Baking it removes the benefits though, it's heated too much.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br><br><br>
Oh, I didn't know that. DARN! Thanks for the info though.

 

[*AHIMSA*]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Tofu-N-Sprouts</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Baking it removes the benefits though, it's heated too much.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Tofu, do you have recent information that says this? I ask because I had read everywhere that frying or coiling would do this, but baking would not. That's what I've always told people, too!

 

[*AHIMSA*]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Tofu-N-Sprouts</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Baking it removes the benefits though, it's heated too much.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Tofu, do you have recent information that says this? I ask because I had read everywhere that frying or boiling could do this, but baking would not. That's what I've always told people, too!