Growing up, I always hated meat-the idea of it, the taste of it.
I played competitive soccer, so my parents insisted I „get my protein“ for optimal performance. Plus, without the staple of their American diet, what would they feed me? In high school I was diagnosed with celiac disease, and in college between drinking and unhealthy binging in my meat-eating diet, my health spiraled downhill.
I felt constantly ill, fatigued and had chronic sinus infections. When I would cut out dairy I would feel some better, but once I graduated I knew I needed to do more to gain control of my health. Taking the advice of a friend, I tried slowly tried going vegan. I cut out meat quite easily, but still ate eggs and fish for a while as well as some dairy. Over the course of about a year I became vegan.
This transition was expedited by watching Cowspiracy and What the Health. Moving to Thailand, it had been very hard to find food having celiac disease and being vegan. To be transparent, there have been slip-ups. I’ve consumed eggs and fish a few times, mostly when fed by Thai friends, and each time that happened I realized how life-changing veganism has been to my mindset and my health.
Although I’ve been forgiving with myself, the way I feel both physically and emotionally after eating animal products has just reconfirmed that veganism is truly the only way to go. Between the physical and emotional healingand doing my small part to save the environment and the lives of innocent animals, I have never felt better and I’m so grateful for this journey.
