I take position that the school canteen should provide an increased amount of vegetarian meal options as they are beneficial to the health and wellbeing of student and staff. There is no doubt that an increased amount of vegetarian options in the canteen can lead to many positive health benefits for both students and staff: such as an increase in energy, disease prevention, and fewer risks of obesity and strokes. However, it is likely that the demand for non - vegetarian options in the canteen is greater than the demand for vegetarian options. I find that currently, the only ‘semi’ vegetarian stall in the canteen is the salad bar and even then, this restricts some vegetarians from choosing this as their meal option - due to the lack of alternatives to animal meat. Presumably, an increased amount of vegan food options in the canteen can be beneficial to both vegans and non-vegans alike.
The first reason why vegan food positively benefits the human body is because it boosts one’s amount of energy - which is especially needed in a working and schooling environment.
Michael F. Roizen quotes that good nutrition generates more usable energy.
This shows that a balanced vegetarian diet is naturally free of cholesterol-laden, artery-clogging animal products that are physically slowing us down. An unbalanced diet with inaccurate nutrition keeps us hitting the snooze button morning after morning. Due to the fact that whole grains, fruits and vegetables are so high in complex carbohydrates: they supply the body with plenty of energizing fuel - which is more than what meat can offer. Eating meat causes the buildup of fat in your bloodstream - which means that arteries will not function as efficiently and your muscles will not receive enough oxygen. The result? You feel zapped. I believe that in a school environment where students and staff work endlessly to the point of exhaustion, every little bit of energy counts. Regaining and making up for some of that energy lost: be it from sleeping late, working long hours and undergoing crazy amounts of stress is crucial in order to keep moving forward throughout the day. Vegan food can help to rebuild that energy that is lost by boosting your body and mind with powerful greens.
However, protein is what supplies our body with the energy that it needs to move, breathe, and carry out its daily tasks. Without the adequate alternatives and balanced diet to match, the positive benefits that vegan food has on your body will be likely to deplete. Animal products, like meat - are readily available, cost effective and simple to prepare - unlike the time and effort that is needed to carry out a vegan dish.
From personal experience, eating a balanced vegetarian diet keeps me in a good mood and makes me feel energized and refreshed. Eating a salad for lunch doesn’t make me feel bloated or ‘too’ full: it provides a sufficient amount of nutrients for my body and leaves me ‘boosted’ - ready to conquer my day. However, when I choose to eat a meat dish for lunch, my body feels the exact opposite and doesn’t receive the benefits inside and out that it does compared to a vegan dish.
However, meat is sometimes the easiest option as there are often not many available specialised vegan options in the school canteen. I hate to say this, but ‘meat is sometimes the easiest way out.’
The second reason why vegan food positively benefits the human body is because it promotes longevity and is likewise a healthier option than most meats.
Michael F. Roizen quotes that If you switch from the standard American diet to a vegan diet, you can add about 13 healthy years to your life.
I believe that this is one of the main reasons why more and more people from all walks of life are accepting and promoting a ‘vegan’ way of modern living. This has even been proven by the residents of Okinawa, Japan - believed to have the longest life expectancies in the world. Their secret? A low-calorie diet of unrefined complex carbohydrates, fiber-rich fruits,vegetables, soy and a strictly no meat regime.
People who consume saturated, cholesterol laden, four-legged fat have a shorter lifespan than those who consume vegan food - which is full of fiber and antioxidant rich produce.
However, despite the potential health benefits of vegan food, these results are in no way automatic. They are possibly attainable when you opt for healthy foods, such as: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and seeds. Vegetarian diets that rely on refined grains, sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages and solid fats can be just as unhealthy as diets that include meat. Also, vegetarians have a high risk of nutrient deficiencies in minerals and vitamins such as: Vitamin B12, Protein, Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Vitamin D and Riboflavin. In which can only be obtained through the consumption of animal meat, and play vital roles in the function of the human body. If a school canteen is not well educated and nutrient savvy whilst creating specialised vegan meal options, there can be many nutrient deficiencies and setbacks inflicted on students.
I do not believe in completely transforming the school canteen into a vegan paradise (although that would be marvellous). But as you can see, an increased amount of vegetarian dishes can have many positive impacts on a human’s body compared to the consumption of meat. A few more specialised vegetarian dishes incorporated into the school's lunch stalls and a wider variety for us, vegans and ‘semi’ vegans on campus can be life changing. While also promoting priceless health benefits that meat just cannot live up to.
The third reason why vegan food positively benefits the human body is because there are fewer liabilities of disease occurring.
The George Washington University School of Medicine states that an estimated 70% of all diseases, including 1/3 of all cancers, are related to diet.
Vegan food can help to prevent the onset of obesity, high cholesterol, strokes and diseases. However, I believe that this is also one’s own responsibility to ensure their meal option is balanced and nutritious. This can really mean the difference between receiving positive or negative benefits for your body based on what you choose to eat. The Standard American diet is high in saturated fats and processed foods, while lacking in plant based food and complex carbohydrates: causing obesity and killing us slowly. It has been known that most vegans display a certain characteristic. They are deliberate in their food choices, have strong willpower and are far less likely to binge eat or ‘eat their emotions’: two habits that greatly contribute to obesity. In which is not a bad characteristic to influence a schooling environment where childhood obesity is on the rise.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention quotes that 64% of adults and 15% of children aged 6 to 19 are overweight and are at risk of heart disease, strokes and diabetes.
However, the George Washington University School of Medicine has confirmed that vegetarian diets offer an important benefit for the management of diabetes and can even reduce the likelihood of development by one half. I believe that with diabetes on the rise amongst children and adolescents, it is of utmost importance that kids are trained to eat greens from a young age in order to prevent future heart diseases, strokes and diabetes.
Despite this, there are many difficulties that come with providing vegan meals in a school canteen. Meeting the school canteens requirements by incorporating a minimum amount of protein in vegan meal can seemingly prove to be a struggle. From personal experience, being a picky eater and attempting to devour vegan meals doesn’t help your body in any way. Stacking on those missing nutrients that the body really needs in order to function is essential.
Veganism in school canteens is no nuanced expression to the modern world as it is proven that nearly 5 million Americans, or more than 2% of the population follow some form of a vegan diet.
It is clear that vegan food can have both positive and negative impacts on a human’s health.
Sodexo should be attending to the wide range of student’s and staffs needs and while there is clearly a demand for more vegan options in the canteen - it wouldn’t hurt to try it out. Possibly, it may fall through or draw in more customers. It is clear that there is an abundance of options for students who are non - vegan. But what about those who are? Providing equal choice and opinion to students and staff is absolutely necessary. Raising awareness about veganism is a great way to allow non-vegans to realise how much good vegan food can do for your body. It has become increasingly mainstream as more and more people from all walks of life, young and old discover the benefits of living ‘green’. Not to mention - vegan food is absolutely delicious, grants a break from animal meat and allows a unique experience for meat lovers.
MLA Citations:
"9 Health Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet." Dr Groups Natural Health Organic Living Blog. N.p., 01 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
"The Potential Health Risks of a Vegetarian Diet." EverydayHealth.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
"Samsung Galaxy Blog." Samsung Galaxy Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
"Veganise Your School Canteen in 5 Easy Steps | PETA UK." PETA UK Veganise Your School Canteen in 5 Easy Steps Comments. N.p., 03 Feb. 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
"Why Go Veg?" Vegetarian Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
"Why Go Vegan?" The Vegan Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
The third reason why vegan food positively benefits the human body is because there are fewer liabilities of disease occurring.
The George Washington University School of Medicine states that an estimated 70% of all diseases, including 1/3 of all cancers, are related to diet.
Vegan food can help to prevent the onset of obesity, high cholesterol, strokes and diseases. However, I believe that this is also one’s own responsibility to ensure their meal option is balanced and nutritious. This can really mean the difference between receiving positive or negative benefits for your body based on what you choose to eat. The Standard American diet is high in saturated fats and processed foods, while lacking in plant based food and complex carbohydrates: causing obesity and killing us slowly. It has been known that most vegans display a certain characteristic. They are deliberate in their food choices, have strong willpower and are far less likely to binge eat or ‘eat their emotions’: two habits that greatly contribute to obesity. In which is not a bad characteristic to influence a schooling environment where childhood obesity is on the rise.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention quotes that 64% of adults and 15% of children aged 6 to 19 are overweight and are at risk of heart disease, strokes and diabetes.
However, the George Washington University School of Medicine has confirmed that vegetarian diets offer an important benefit for the management of diabetes and can even reduce the likelihood of development by one half. I believe that with diabetes on the rise amongst children and adolescents, it is of utmost importance that kids are trained to eat greens from a young age in order to prevent future heart diseases, strokes and diabetes.
Despite this, there are many difficulties that come with providing vegan meals in a school canteen. Meeting the school canteens requirements by incorporating a minimum amount of protein in vegan meal can seemingly prove to be a struggle. From personal experience, being a picky eater and attempting to devour vegan meals doesn’t help your body in any way. Stacking on those missing nutrients that the body really needs in order to function is essential.
Veganism in school canteens is no nuanced expression to the modern world as it is proven that nearly 5 million Americans, or more than 2% of the population follow some form of a vegan diet.
It is clear that vegan food can have both positive and negative impacts on a human’s health.
Sodexo should be attending to the wide range of student’s and staffs needs and while there is clearly a demand for more vegan options in the canteen - it wouldn’t hurt to try it out. Possibly, it may fall through or draw in more customers. It is clear that there is an abundance of options for students who are non - vegan. But what about those who are? Providing equal choice and opinion to students and staff is absolutely necessary. Raising awareness about veganism is a great way to allow non-vegans to realise how much good vegan food can do for your body. It has become increasingly mainstream as more and more people from all walks of life, young and old discover the benefits of living ‘green’. Not to mention - vegan food is absolutely delicious, grants a break from animal meat and allows a unique experience for meat lovers.
MLA Citations:
"9 Health Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet." Dr Groups Natural Health Organic Living Blog. N.p., 01 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
"The Potential Health Risks of a Vegetarian Diet." EverydayHealth.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
"Samsung Galaxy Blog." Samsung Galaxy Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
"Veganise Your School Canteen in 5 Easy Steps | PETA UK." PETA UK Veganise Your School Canteen in 5 Easy Steps Comments. N.p., 03 Feb. 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
"Why Go Veg?" Vegetarian Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
"Why Go Vegan?" The Vegan Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.
No comments:
Post a Comment