The Road to Veganism
surprise! the options include cheesecake
2007-10-30
By Danielle Douglas

After devouring the best slice of cheesecake to have ever touched my lips, I considered a drastic life change. This omnivore, lover of meat, connoisseur of milkshakes, was prepared to bow before the altar of veganism. Surprise, surprise, that triple chocolate brownie slice of cheesecake contained no dairy products. If soy could mimic the taste of my favorite dessert, then what couldn’t it do? Before overhauling the contents of my refrigerator, though, I decided to do a little research.

Last year a clinical trial found that low-fat vegan diets can improve glycemic and lipid control in type 2 diabetic patients. Another study conducted years earlier discovered that African American vegans had even lower cardiovascular disease risk factors than vegetarians. Gwen Foster, one of the co-authors of the study, points out that vegan diets can also greatly aide in lowering cholesterol.

Foster, who also serves as Philadelphia’s Health and Fitness Czar, put that theory to the test last year when she helped launched a city-wide vegan challenge for African Americans. Within months the majority of the 1,800 participants saw a decrease in their cholesterol and improvement in their overall health.

While Foster’s information was enough to lead me to the land of soy milk and honey, I still had reservations. Like most people, I’ve been raised to believe milk was the best source of calcium. On the contrary, Foster says, "We actually can get more absorbable calcium from dark, leafy green vegetables than in milk," adding, "We can also get enough B12 by eating tuberous vegetables. People tend not to eat a variety of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts," a must, says the health expert, in order to maintain a balanced vegan diet.

Taste accounts for everything and can be the biggest obstacle to embracing veganism. And making such a drastic lifestyle change can be alienating, especially in a community where food is so tied to socializing. Luckily there are a host of support organizations and websites that offer advice, delicious recipes and convenient restaurant listings across the country. One such website, SuperVegan.com, was launched a year ago by African American artist Olivia Lane.

Five years ago Lane became a vegan out of concern for the treatment of animals. "When you buy eggs they don't tell you that it takes 36 hours for these animals to produce or about the abuse that occurs during the process," she says. Joined by seven other like-minded souls, Lane provides site visitors with information on animal cruelty as well as the best tasting tofu in town. She notes that now more than ever there is a strong online community of African American vegans, all eager to lend support to those in transition.

Though I am still deliberating on whether a vegan lifestyle is best, I can begin by merely incorporating more vegan options into my regular diet. For instance, right now I think I'll have another slice of cheesecake.

Danielle Douglas is a freelance writer in New York.