UO vegetarians in luck, PETA study says

For those who avoid chicken, beef and fish, and for those who believe animals have natural rights, the University campus is a great place to be.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals recently ranked the University third-most vegetarian-friendly college in the nation. The ranking was the result of an online contest where students campaigned for their schools and voted for them online. Beating the University of Oregon were American University and Wesleyan University, in the No. 1 and 2 spots, respectively.

The University of Oregon received its high ranking based mainly on impressive vegetarian and vegan dining options in the dining halls. Reflecting on the vegetarian options, Director of Food Services Tom Driscoll said, "We respond to our customers ... Our menus hopefully reflect that."

The on-campus vegetarian restaurant, Holy Cow Café, helped bump up the rating. "We're the first organic-vegetarian restaurant on a campus anywhere," owner Kathee Lavine said. "I'm sure that helped contribute ... We're trying to offer really good food so they won't miss meat."

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN

• A strict vegetarian doesn't eat any meat; however, some only cut out red meat and/or consume poultry or fish. Some vegetarians allow egg and dairy products into their diets, while others abstain.

• "Vegans eat no animal products whatsoever," Lavine said. Vegans don't eat eggs, cheese, milk or honey because all are produced by animals. Many don't eat gelatin, which is made from the boiled bones, skin and tendons of animals, a common ingredient in foods such as gummy bears, marshmallows and fruit jams. Processed white sugar is also off limits because it's often combined with bone to make it white, Lavine said. Some abstain from yeast because it is a living organism, said Laura Pizzo, leader of the Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals at the University.

PROS AND CONS OF BEING A VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN

• PRO: Scientific research has proven that vegetarianism, when executed correctly, is an excellent diet and very healthy, said Kristen Olmos, a Student Health Center registered dietician. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't contribute to nutrient deficiencies, as long as the vegetarian consumes plenty of protein in the form of tofu, tempeh and legumes, and eats sufficient whole grains, she said.

• CON: Pizzo said the hardest thing about vegetarianism is finding a balance. Excessive soy can make you sick, she said, and many first-year vegetarians eat too much tofu. Olmos agreed. "It really shouldn't and doesn't need to be a problem, but a lot of college students don't vary their diet," she said.

• PRO: Being a vegetarian is cheaper, Olmos said. Meat is more expensive than vegetables, and vegetarian items in restaurants are usually cheaper than options with meat, she added.

• CON: Olmos said she isn't a big proponent of veganism. While it isn't inherently unhealthy, it can be hard to execute properly for the average college student because it requires vitamin supplements, especially B12, and some planning.

• PRO: Vegans in particular aren't supporting the factory farming industry, Pizzo said. "I think that's the bottom line for vegans and vegetarians," she said. Factory farming confines many animals together in small, overly cramped spaces where they often can't turn around and must stand in their own feces. Factory farming also is harmful to the environment: A lot of excess oil, energy and food is sacrificed in the name of efficiency.

HOW THE UNIVERSITY COULD HAVE WON

Ryan Huling, spokesman for PETA, said the University came in third in the contest almost entirely because it had a smaller voting turnout. Other schools, especially Wesleyan University, had campus-wide campaigns, including banners in the dining halls and reminders to vote, he said. They kept student excitement up, and as a result had more votes than the University of Oregon.

However, "The University of Oregon is among the best in the country when it comes to vegetarian and vegan options," Huling said. "It has consistently gone above and beyond."

hhoffman@dailyemerald.com

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