Going vegan can endanger your health

If you are considering going vegan, don’t. I wouldn’t.

The ethical and moral reasons may strongly compel people to advocate the vegan diet, while the health consequences are often overlooked, and for some people, life threatening. In Boulder, there is an ever-growing trend of promoting the vegan lifestyle. But what’s not being promoted is the substantial list of health consequences that come along with it. Whether it be iron deficiencies or anemia, the vegan community does not advertise this side of it.

After following the vegan diet for the past six years, I have slowly started to transition off of it. Cows are my favorite animal, which is the whole reason I started my journey, but the consequences, like my hair falling out, have propelled me to reintroduce animal products back into my diet. Although I still refuse to eat cows, by incorporating small amounts of chicken, I have seen a decrease in the amount of my hair falling out.

If you do not consult with a health care professional, the likelihood of obtaining a medical condition from this diet is extremely likely. Having a healthcare professional can help make sure that the nutrients and vitamins lost are either supplemented or obtained through other foods. But transitioning to the vegan diet with no support or “cold turkey” is the worst possible way to make this jump.

Even though the vegan diet is marketed as saving lives, being healthy or helping the planet, focusing on individual health is key when making this life-altering choice. If you are seriously considering transferring to the vegan diet, being fully educated on both the positive and negative impacts on your life is crucial. Don’t align your ethical values to your lifestyle at the risk of your health.

— Kate Shupe, Boulder

Nurture healthier sibling relationships

Sibling relationships have a profound role in how pressure is perceived. This can bring challenges and be more impactful with closer age gaps and same-gender dynamics. This influence can also enstate personal growth and strong character traits.

I have dealt with this firsthand with my brother, who is two years older. Depicting and understanding the pressure is complex and confusing. Younger siblings often identify with their older siblings, frequently mirroring and emulating their actions. While this can be beneficial by encouraging a positive influence, it can also lead to feelings of inadequacy through comparison and an inability to meet the same expectations. A podcast titled “How Siblings Influence Our Lives” describes how older siblings often act as role models. Their actions greatly influence younger siblings’ social and emotional growth (Gilligan). Whether it is real or perceived pressure, the pressure to meet these expectations can profoundly shape children’s self-esteem and early development.

We can grow and learn by nurturing healthier sibling relationships and emphasizing the importance of individuality and personal value at a young age. Parents, teachers, and mentors can exhibit this positive behavior to encourage children to explore their own interests and passions. It’s also important to recognize how powerful open communication is in understanding siblings’ relationships. Encouraging truthful and honest conversations about expectations and challenges can help siblings better understand their struggles. This could help young siblings not feel defined by their older accomplishments. Schools and community groups could offer support in addressing these possibly harmful sibling dynamics to foster positive and supportive relationships better. Addressing sibling peer pressure can help create an environment where children feel free to grow and shape their identities. This can also give younger siblings the proper resources to handle societal and outside pressure.

— Andrew Conroy, Broomfield