A different Bite
why local Youngsters
went Vegetarian
by linda Sechrist
D
espite the fact that the idea of Young people take a Stand living conditions endured by animals
voluntary non-consumption
Naples resident Debbie Ritter experi-
destined for slaughterhouses. “My
of animal flesh and animal
enced her conversion in her 20s, after
parents told me why they didn’t eat red
derivatives has circled the planet for
she moved here to live with her sister.
meat and then let me choose,” advises
centuries, a 2002 Harris Interactive Poll
“Kate told me there would be no meat
Alissa.
taken for Time/CNN indicates that only
in her refrigerator,” quips Ritter. “For-
1 to 2 percent of the U.S. population
tunately, she is a great cook, so I got
more Choices
subscribes to a vegetarian diet. Several
introduced to vegetarianism via some
Vegetarianism can sometimes be a
variations are practiced among this
really tasty meals.”
solitary path, as Alissa has discovered.
modest population of mindful eaters.
After a few months, Ritter noticed
“I had no vegetarian friends in high
A semi-vegetarian, for instance,
that her periods were lighter and less
school,” she recalls, “but now that I’m
eliminates red meat entirely, yet may
painful. “I guessed it was all the hor-
in college, I’m meeting more vegetar-
consume poultry or fish. An ovo-veg-
mones in the meat and dairy products I
ians and vegans. In the college cafete-
etarian eats eggs, but no other animal
was eating.” No longer a strict vegetar-
ria, there is even a special section for
products and no dairy, while an ovo-
ian, Ritter now dines as a semi-vegetar-
us, and I’ve found a few great local
lacto vegetarian dines on dairy and egg
ian, allowing chicken and seafood to
vegetarian restaurants.”
products, but excludes animal products.
accent her meals.
After enjoying a recent semester
A lacto-vegetarian, on the other hand,
Ritter’s daughter, Alissa, now a
in London, where restaurants note
allows dairy products, but avoids eggs
junior at Eckerd College, in St. Pe-
vegetarian menu items with a “V” and
and other animal products. Strictest of
tersburg, Florida, has grown up as a
grocery items are labeled “Suitable for
all, a vegan consumes foods solely from
vegetarian since the age of 8, joining
Vegetarians,” she says she would like
plant sources.
the ranks of a movement embraced by
to see more vegetarian-friendly Ameri-
According to the American Di-
such famous his-
can restaurants. “The only place I’ve
etetic Association (ADA), the nation’s
toric figures as
seen such notations on the menu in
growing minority of vegetarians is on
Plato, Socrates
Southwest Florida is at the U Food Grill
the right course when it comes to a diet
and Pythagoras.
on Immokalee Road, in North Naples,
able to meet current recommendations
“Most people
although there must be others,” says
for key nutrients. Anyone teetering on
are shocked
Alissa. “U Food uses the image of a car-
the verge of a vegetarianism conver-
when I tell them
rot to let people know what items are
sion of any stripe got a green light in
that I’ve never
vegetarian.”
the June 2003 issue of the Journal of the
had a piece of
American Dietetic Association. There,
red meat,” says
Benefits for life
authorities reported that, “Well-planned
Alissa.
Alissa Ritter
vegan and other types of vegetarian
According to the ADA, vegetarians like
Even in
diets are appropriate for all stages of the
Alissa can expect to enjoy lower blood
childhood, Alissa acted on her disdain
life cycle, including during pregnancy,
cholesterol, lower blood pressure,
for factory farming, after her father
lactation, infancy, childhood and ado-
lower hypertension and less risk of Type
showed her a magazine article about
lescence.”
2 diabetes and colon cancer.
the inhumane treatment and neglectful
2 Collier / Lee Counties
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