Vegetarian students share their passion

We are what we eat. We eat what we like, but what we like isn’t always the same as the next person.
Diets affect people differently. What is healthy for one person isn’t always the healthiest option for the next. How we consume food can vary because of a variety of stresses in life, eating schedules, personal preferences and income.
During breakfast, lunch and dinner, students can be found chowing down meals. In cafeterias, restaurants and fast food joints, students satisfy hunger in their own personal ways.
Delia Gomez, junior in managerial accounting, is accustomed to fresh, homemade meals because she knows exactly what has been put into it. According to Gomez, knowing you’re eating good portions of vegetables and fruits can make a big difference in how you feel.
“There have been days when I don’t eat any salads or fruit, and by the end of the day I can tell mentally and physically that something is wrong, that I had forgotten something,” Gomez said.
According to Dustin Clift, junior in Internet Technologies, eating what feels good isn’t always the best choice. Attempting to eat healthier, Clift feels his diet has been terrible in the past, and he tries to steer clear of too many preservatives.
“I love meat. It’s delicious, but I’m trying to eat healthier,” Clift said. “A lot of red meat is just bad for you.”
David Luebke, General Academics sophomore, feels that, although vegetarians are potentially healthier, there are some drawbacks to that lifestyle.
“They are more conscious about what they put into their bodies,” Luebke said. “But you need to work twice as hard to obtain the nutrients found in plant foods you would otherwise find in meat,” Luebke said.
For Melissa Drake, sophomore in Dental Hygiene, being an omnivore is the best way to go.
“You can eat all you want without losing out on your macronutrients and micronutrients,” Drake said.
According to Hailey Fallis, sophomore in Fine Arts, being a vegetarian or vegan can either be super good or super bad for you.
“If you aren’t careful about how you take care of your body, you will get sick, just like any other diet,” Fallis said. “But if done correctly, you do become healthier and everything just works better.”
We eat what we eat, wand we are who we are. But without proper nutrition or balance our bodies need, we are subject to illness and frailty.