Eating Consciously

This morning, I was featured on CBC’s The Current to challenge Alex Jamieson on her decision to no longer be vegan. As a credentialed registered dietitian (RD) and license dietitian-nutritionist (LDN) that relies on science to make evidence-based recommendations, listening to her talk was like nails on a chalkboard. Basically, her rationale for resuming her consumption of animals was solely based on her “cravings.”



The reason this argument is so incredibly infuriating for me to hear, is because it’s a completely bogus argument that has no scientific legitimacy whatsoever. After decades of peer-reviewed nutrition research, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics was able to conclude that a well-planned vegan diet is not only appropriate for all people, but that it likely serves as both treatment and prevention for many chronic diseases.


When I confronted her with the science-based argument and invalidated her fraudulent claim, she just totally ignored the question. Instead, she went on to continue promoting her books and sucking every last bit of her five-minutes of fame she’s been riding on since she made a cameo nine years ago in her ex-boyfriend’s documentary, Super Size Me.


When she wrote her long-winded blog post, I’m Not Vegan Anymore, the thing I found most infuriating is that instead of just admitting the fact she wanted to eat animals again, she spent the entire time making false rationalizations and insinuating that those who live a truly vegan lifestyle are too extreme and radical. She simply cannot confess to the fact that there’s simply no science-based argument for her “cravings.”


Sure, we should “listen to our bodies” when we have a persistent ache or pain, but to assert that there’s some sort of legitimacy to “listening to your body” when decades of solid nutrition research completely refute your “cravings” is just plain insane. This is what is so troubling about Alex Jamieson. She positions herself as some alleged nutrition expert, yet she hasn’t the credentials nor the knowledge to be giving such recommendations. She clearly disregards the scientific method and is doing nothing but spreading nutritional myths and lies.


Alex Jamieson continues to play the victim card and claim that she is being “attacked” for not being vegan anymore. However, the reason she is being challenged is not because she’s no longer vegan, but because of her unwillingness to just admit the fact that she’s eating animals again because she wants to. People are angry because instead of admitting that, she continues going around spreading invalid nutritional information and berating anyone who legitimately challenges her.


No, Alex, we’re not going to feel bad for you and we shouldn’t. You are not the victim here, the animals are. Your “cravings” argument is completely flawed and holds no legitimacy whatsoever. Stand up and admit you are no longer vegan because of your own lack of willpower and compassion. Get over yourself and stop pretending you are some kind of nutritional prodigy. Stop spreading myths and lies and leave the nutrition recommendations to those who are qualified and credentialed to give science-based information. This is why people are mad at you.






A company out of the UK has now taken the “humane” facade to a new level in an attempt to convince consumers to continue exploiting animals and treating them as chattel property. The organization sells a product they call “Ahimsa Milk,” which ensures that no cows are slaughtered for their dairy process. Fair enough, but what’s interesting is that they have the audacity to claim no animals were “exploited” either.

First, let’s be completely clear that there is NO nutritional requirement for humans to consume the mammary secretions of another species and it actually benefits human health to select fortified plant-based milk alternatives. Let’s also acknowledge that the dairy industry in general inflicts grave amounts of suffering and death upon dairy cows and calves.

Basically, a cow, as like any other mammal, must be pregnant in order to produce milk for their young. Typically, to remain profitable, dairy farmers sell the male calves to produce veal and cheap leather goods and the females face the same exhausting fate as their mothers — forced to be impregnated over and over until they are literally “spent” and can no longer produce milk at which point they are sent to slaughter.

Now, back to the exploitation. Merriam-Webster defines exploitation as “to make productive use of” or “to make use of meanly or unfairly for one’s own advantage.” Based on the definition of the term, it’s truly quite astounding that Ahimsa Milk has the audacity to claim no cows are exploited in their process. Surely, they are. Ahimsa Milk is making productive use of cows, without their consent, by perpetuating an industry that inherently relies on turning animals into machines to produce a product for humans. This is the epitome of exploitation.

Surely, the fact that they are ensuring no cows are killed is a compassionate act, but why not complete the circle of compassion by not using animals at all? If people are truly interested in ensuring animals aren’t exploited, the only logical solution is to become vegan and choose plant-based milk products.

Sadly, Ahimsa Milk is not doing anything to tackle animal exploitation, in fact, they are making consumers feel more comfortable continuing to exploit animals for no necessary purpose because they believe they are “treated well.” If Ahimsa Milk was actually concerned about animal exploitation, they’d be advocating veganism, not selling animal products.

Becoming aware of the violence we, as humans, commit against animals each and every day is what causes many to transition to a completely vegan lifestyle. Veganism means striving to live with as much compassion as possible and rejecting violence to the best of our abilities. At its core, veganism is built upon the idea of nonviolence towards all species, including humans. 

On occasion, however, you will come across those who claim to be “vegan,” yet advocate violence towards fellow human animals. This notion that violence can be an effective or appropriate response to combat violence makes very little sense on a variety of levels. Also, it completely flies in the face of the vegan ideology.

Typically, this type of threat is made against those who directly partake in the most egregious forms of animal exploitation, such as vivisection and slaughter. Of course, it’s infuriating and saddening to bear witness to such acts and it’s distressing that many people appear too set in their ways to change. However, we must acknowledge that we are all raised in a society that conditions us to believe its completely normal and appropriate to dominate and exploit animals.

Those who find it acceptable to commit targeted violence against those who perform the actual testing process or slaughter the animals, must also find it acceptable to commit violence against anyone who is not vegan as well. There are many, many people who are at least vaguely aware of the atrocities that occur to produce meat for example, yet go on eating bacon and hamburgers with little remorse. It’s not that they don’t care, it’s that they’re conditioned not to.

Yet, these people who seem the most unlikely to change are often the ones who do. If you interviewed a few vegans, you would probably be surprised to hear their backgrounds and how many have directly partaken in the exploitation and slaughter of animals beyond casual animal product consumption. Former slaughter house workers, animal researchers, cattle farmers, and even hunters are among those who have made the decision to switch to a more compassionate life.

Most people were not born vegan. Most people have lived a large portion of their lives partaking in the system of violence against animals before they became vegan. Most, if not all, of the people advocating the violence against other fellow humans were not vegan at some point in their lives. With their “logic,” why shouldn’t they have violence committed upon them for their own partaking in violence against animals?

The point here is that people change and people are changing. Of course, the path to a vegan planet may seem long and distant, but tremendous strides are being made and veganism is becoming more popular than ever. Although it’s difficult and enraging to know what happens to animals all around the world, it’s encouraging to witness the change occurring.

We help create a vegan world by living consistently in accordance with our values and leading others in our direction by serving as positive advocates. We certainly do not create a vegan world by perpetuating anger and violence. In fact, that is exactly what causes most people to write off veganism as “extreme” and “radical.”

We should find comfort and hope in the fact that as vegans, we know first-hand that change is possible. Instead of berating and threatening others, let us extend our arms open with acceptance, guidance, and compassion. We create a vegan world by focusing on encouraging others to join us, not by threatening them.

“A Lee’s Summit man is fighting a restraining order that he says was issued against him after he says he was arrested for refusing to leave the bedside of his sick partner.”

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