Foodies and Vegan Haters
So I really dislike foodies (or gourmands, gourmets, epicures, etc.). You know, the ones who go on and on about their Peruvian yak milk mozzarella or whatever. I just don't think it's a health-promoting thing in any way and yet so many people are inspired and impressed by it. Now when it comes to produce, I say go for it. I get excited by exotic or fresh, local produce. I think that's a healthy interest to have.
Unfortunately there seem to be very few who understand my dislike for these types. And maybe it's because I'm just not a very good explainer. I'm no good at forming arguments. But I know that when I hear a foodie talk, I get the same feeling as when I hear a low-carber talk about the wonders of that diet. It's an anxious feeling, a sad feeling, an angry feeling. It's like its own type of diet and it has its own reasons for being healthy - such as 100 years ago it would have been eaten. Now don't get me wrong. I think eating organic yak's cheese is WAY better than Velveeta. But it's still in no way good for you.
I posted a request on a Portland-based networking website. In it I mentioned that I was vegan for health reasons. One of the replies I got was a girl saying that she had never heard of someone being vegan for health reasons, that usually it was an ethical decision. She said that she had been vegan but had to stop because she became allergic to soy or something.
Oh boy, where to start. Again, I'm no good at forming arguments. I explained that I don't eat a typical vegan diet and that I was surprised that she had never heard of it for health reasons, as even the ethical junk food vegans tend to tell people about the positive effects of their diets, what with more frequent bowel movements, etc.
She replied, saying again something about how most vegans were junk food vegans. Then she said she got all the same nutrients as me, except she chose to get her protein from meat and cheese. Hmm. I wonder if she's actually analyzed her statement. I think not.
I'm totally riled up by this and I know I shouldn't be. But being flat out lectured is different from seeing someone eating a diet that you know is horrible for them. That person has power against you, especially when "you" are a person like me - unable to make much of a convincing argument about anything.
Oh well, I guess I'll just have to ignore it.