Project 2 Interviews
What made you want to change your diet?
Kaycee:
In the beginning becoming a vegetarian at the age of twelve a primary reason for the transition was the inhumane treatment of animals with the organization of PETA having an influence. It was through actions taken by PETA and other affiliated organizations that she became aware of where and how the meat that was on her plate came from and what the terrible conditions and actions that were taken to kill and process that animal. As time went on and she grew older Kaycee developed stomach ulcers which when untreated eat the lining of the stomach. So after receiving this diagnosis her doctor prescribed a more plant based diet reinforcing her vegetarian ideals.
Did any films or media influence your decision?
Kaycee:
Two very moving and important pieces of media that influenced Kaycee was a film known as Food Inc. and a PETA public service announcement aptly named If Slaughterhouses had Glass Walls. Both had tremendous effects on Kaycee showing the inner workings of the food industry with where animals are raised and the diets of everyday Americans in Food Inc. While with If Slaughterhouses had Glass Walls PETA shows the horrible and unmonitored everyday working inside of slaughterhouses and how animals are routinely abused and the horrible conditions in which they live.
What was your diet like before? Were you a regular eat eater?
Kaycee:
Kaycee like many of us was accustomed to having meat regularly. It wasn’t until she became a vegetarian that she picked up all of her new diets. As she said, “I was a meat and potatoes kinda girl” every meal consisted of some sort a meat.
What was your transition like?
Kaycee:
When becoming a vegetarian Kaycee spent no time making a transition and instead implored taking a yoyo diet where she went cold turkey and cut meat out of every meal. This was hard on Kaycee physically causing her to lose ten pounds almost immediately and having been already underweight her family did not approve of the diet. With time Kaycee learned to implement different types of protein to evenly balance out her diet with eating peanut butter, darker leafy greens, and beans.
What was the most difficult part about being a vegetarian?
Kaycee:
Having been a vegetarian for eight years now the hardest part that most vegetarians face is the variety of foods and places to go out and eat. With meat, there are so many options yet trying to eat healthy and green often limits the amount of variety. Going out to eat is difficult as well because there aren’t many vegetarian options. Go to a game you eat some chicken wings nobody is eating kale chips.
How do you feel when people question your beliefs?
Kaycee:
At first being a new vegetarian Kaycee believed whole heartily in being a vegetarian and was upset when people questioned her beliefs. As time passed she realized that this diet was for some people and that most people where selfish and didn’t get as angry and became more understanding of people’s confusion.
Do you feel as if the media portrays vegetarians correctly or incorrectly?
Kaycee
While there isn’t a lot of attention put on vegetarians in the media the attention they do receive is of stereotypical views on the community. Painting them all as fanatic dirty hipsters. On social media the overwhelming attitude toward vegetarians is either hate filled or in a comedic way with memes shedding lite on vegetarians putting them in a negative light.
Do you believe everyone should follow this diet?
Kaycee:
While in her early days Kaycee probably would’ve said yes but she gave a very poignant answer saying NO quite emphatically and jokingly. The diet of a vegetarian is a very rigorous one and Kaycee believes should become one only if you want to be one and you need to really want to be one. You have to enjoy because otherwise you’ll hate yourself and the people around you.
How is the vegetarian community?
Kaycee:
“It Depends.” Like many communities there are groups within them you have the PETA freaks and you have the people who are simply trying to minimize their ecological footprint. Overall the community is welcoming having many pages on social media and Pinterest accounts to help you with veggie recipes. There are people from all walks for all different reasons and that’s refreshing to know considering this community as something I may want to join.
What piece of advice would you give someone interested in switching to a plant based diet?
Kaycee:
Don’t do the yoyo diet going cold turkey was a horrible experience for Kaycee and she advises to instead gradually move away and cut out red meat from your diet and focus on white meat like fish and chicken and go on from there. Go at your own pace and know your body. Research is very important to know what foods to eat and not eat and what may be to your liking. Balance out your nutrition figure out a way to compensate for your lack of protein. Most importantly know why you’re doing this and believe it whole heartily and want to make this change.