Just visit your closest grocery store, and you'll see the words "vegan cheese," "no animal products," "vegan friendly," printed innocuously on not only food packages, but also beauty products like lipstick, foundation, and blush. It is astonishing how this subgroup of Americans has gained so much momentum in recent years. Traditional vegans do not eat any animal related products, nor use beauty products or wear clothing derived from animals. Most people see the rise in veganism as a good thing because Americans are bringing ethical concerns into their own hands and living a more sustainable life.

Although I commend those who choose veganism for ethical reasons, it appears that veganism has become trendy. Like the TOMS shoe craze, pastel colors, ombre hair, ombre nails... ombre everything. Veganism is now being marketed. And that scares me.

This trend is worrisome because people are hopping on the bandwagon without a freaking seatbelt. With no clue where they are heading. Or harboring a skewed destination. What was once a lifestyle, followed seriously by a handful of informed Americans, has become used for various other purposes: health, weight loss, acne.

This kind of marketing is frightening because many people will become vegans without doing thorough research. Many will start eating "vegan" and not consume enough calories. Or enough nutrients. The vegan diet is, at its core, one that is inherently deficient. It includes an elimination of all animal related food, including eggs, fish, meat, dairy. These animal products are vital sources of vitamins such as iron, zinc, calcium, protein, selenium, and vitamin D. Furthermore, vitamin B12, required for red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis, is found only in animal products. In order for vegans to obtain enough vitamin B12, they must be vigilant in consuming artificially fortified B12 foods, take supplements, and/or get B12 injections.

Now let's say one works hard to supplement the nutrition holes in the vegan diet. Can this seemingly pure lifestyle still be unhealthy? Or even cause eating disorders?

I believe yes.

Becoming a vegan for primary reasons other than ethical can lead to a more vulnerable mindset. When one restricts their diet for a self-serving purpose, there is a greater pressure to do it perfectly. Eating perfectly becomes a way to control one's body. A way to become perfect.

The mental and emotional fatigue of food restriction are enormous. Food in a culture is a form of socialization and pleasure. We eat together, cook together, indulge in similar foods, talk about the indulgences, discuss our favorite foods, get ice cream, have parties, etc. Start eliminating food groups and you will end up alienating yourself from these festivities. You will stare at that cheesecake with desire while eating "healthy" broccoli and nuts, envying how carefree everyone else is with food. Every food choice becomes a burden, every bite a goal toward self-improvement. What was once a mindless act of enjoyment is now a strict regimen.You will begin to feel isolated from friends and family-- all for the sake of "personal well-being."

The definition of an eating disorder is any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits. Anorexia, the most infamous, is characterized by self-starvation and weight-loss, in which the sufferer falsely believes him/herself to be overweight. Orthorexia, less well known, is an unhealthy obsession with eating healthy, pure food. It is very likely that the restrictive ways of veganism, which lead to obsessive mindsets, can transform into eating disorders such as those mentioned.

Now that veganism is becoming a new "in" lifestyle, I felt the need to write this article. It has been something that I have felt strongly about for a long time. I am by no means trying to attack veganism; in fact, I think it is definitely making America more health-conscious and aware. But I am wary of all "lifestyles" and "diets" that restrict large food groups. The marketing of veganism has made many health enthusiasts blind-sighted to its potential drawbacks. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and many of us forget to take care of ourselves mentally and emotionally.

So if you take away anything from this article, please remember to question mainstream ideas, do your own research, listen to your body, and maintain a balanced lifestyle and mind.