HW 11

For the past 3 days, I have experimented with my dietary habits by pursuing a very strict vegan diet. Though at first I choose it since it seemed like the most easiest way to gain a new perspective on a very different lifestyle than mine, it took much more mental discipline than I expected. I made sure the night before I initiated my new short term diet that I consumed as much meat and fatty as possible, up to the point where I would've felt the craving to eat something lighter.

I was never a very picky eater, usually devouring everything that is handed to me as long as it looked, smelled, and tasted edible. Due to my love for food, It is a bit difficult to let the things I've read in Omnivore's Dilemma and seen in Food Inc. stop me from feeling that the way food is created today is 100% necessary and is totally fine since it is keeping us full and alive. I was hoping for some sort of epiphany that might help me gain a greater realization and insight into the unit, but not much changed even after successfully completing my diet.  Meat tasted just as good when I didn't know the food industry's deepest darkest secrets.

One thing I did learn from this new experience is that Ariel's aunt was correct about these dietary habits working for some but not for others. I have always been very light and easy going about the food I eat, never keeping track of whether I am eating healthy or not. Going vegan, a hardcore alteration in my daily habit put strain on me mentally since it limited my decisions. If I am ever going to pursue this again, I will make sure to build it up slowly and be smart about the whole process.

Even though it wasn't especially fun at all, I still feel that going vegan is an worthwhile experience for meat lovers like me. It seems much easier to do than it truly is. The commitment that goes into the lifestyle is horrendous from my perspective, but I can see why people still choose it. The physical benefit of it is quite interesting, I felt it even after just two days of being a vegan. I should possibly think about doing it again for a longer term, maybe around a week or two but also restrict myself from smoking as well to see any drastic changes.