Until this year, I was just like everyone else. I wore leather shoes. I owned a wool coat. I enjoyed scrambled eggs for breakfast, a tuna sandwich for lunch, and a warm chicken dinner. So what changed? What made me want to give all of that up?
I wish I could tell you I did it in honor of the animals. I wish I could tell you tell you I did it because I wanted to make a smaller carbon footprint. While I have adapted a passion for animal rights and sustainable living, the reason I became a vegan was entirely self-centered.
Throughout my teen years, I suffered the typical body changes and insecurities that come with the territory. I was an athlete and avid runner, yet I still kept a few extra pounds around the waist that I could never get rid of. I was constantly tired, even when I got ten to twelve hours of sleep. I had horrible acne all over my face, shoulders, and back. I got sick on a regular basis. I had unexplainable rashes break out on my skin every day. I was clearly ill.
But what was making me so sick? I blamed puberty for too long. In my senior year of high school I had reached my adult height and decided that puberty was over. Yet I still felt like I was in this awkward and gross state. I was disgusted with myself. That is when I decided to look into healthy eating.
All of my research pointed me to vegan living. Internet articles, books, documentaries, and even youtube stars recommended a clean vegan diet based on whole foods. In January of 2014 I took the plunge, and I will never go back.
So why am I telling you this? Why am I telling you my little teenage troubles? I write this because becoming a vegan has given me the confidence to be myself and secure in who I am. I have lost fat and gained muscle, my acne is gone, I have boundless energy, and even my mind feels less cluttered since I made the switch.
I am not a doctor, or nutritionist, or any kind of professional. All I am is an 18 year old girl with a story–a passion. Veganism has opened my eyes and transformed my life. I hope to help people adopt a more plant-based diet. After all, it isn’t fair for me to keep my clean-eating secrets to myself.