Vegan MoFo Day 13 - Sick Day
I've been sick most of the week. There seem to be two strongly held opinions about vegans and illness - one being that we are all sickly humans moments from death and the other being that veganism will protect us from any illness. Neither is true.
Vegans can be strong athletes. Some of them hold records for lifting or endurance racing. Some of us just do the occasional hike and call it good enough.
Vegans also get sick. They can even get cancer...and die of said cancer. There is no magic cure all. We do a disservice to the animals when we build up this idea that going vegan makes you invincible. We create self doubt and shame in vegans that get sick or don't get to what society thinks is an ideal weight. Then when they get sick maybe they figure they are doing it wrong and abandon their ideals.
Do I believe that a well balanced heavily non processed vegan diet is best and can even reverse some illness? Certainly! I've seen it happen and read about many instances as well.
But I also go the flu this winter (first time in probably 20 years) and I'm sick right now. This doesn't make me a bad vegan. I'm not sure an extra ounce of kale in my smoothie would have prevented this illness.
Tomorrow's post may or may not happen. I get a couple days ahead and I'm now caught up. I thought I was feeling better (and told a colleague so), but now my temp is back to 101.
Luckily having the flu this winter taught me I needed to be better prepared. I have ginger ale, basic meds, and a stockpile of trail mix. I may make some instant ramen if I get a burst of energy. Or not.
What do you do as a sick vegan? Any go to foods you keep on hand? And how have you seen shaming around illness or weight in the vegan community? How do you deal with it?
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| Be vegan. Even if you get sick sometimes. |
Hoping you feel better soon! <3
ReplyDeleteMy go-to foods for when I'm sick are ginger ale, crackers, Amy's canned "chicken" noodle soup or lentil soup, ramen with whatever veggies I can manage, and tea!
Thank you for the well wishes! Ginger ale and ramen are lifesavers! I was completely ill prepared when I got the flu this winter. I live alone and suffered thru for a few days until I felt well enough to get to the store. That's why I'm planning to keep a little sick supply kit for any future illness. Used it this time!
DeleteI'm so sorry you're sick! I especially love to have the kosher imitation chicken ramen noodle soup from Tradition brand. It's really good. To stay hydrated, I like to drink all sorts of things--Body Armor sports drinks, V8 with lemon over ice, ginger ale, sparkling water, still water, tea. I tend to eat peanut butter crackers, too, less because they're soothing and more because I figure the protein will help. And I take a multivitamin.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I was worried about the post I recently put up about my myasthenia gravis diagnosis was just what you say--I didn't want to be attacked by omnivores who believe a vegan diet must have caused it or the True Believers who would suggest I try to heal myself by giving up my Gardein.
I read your post about your diagnosis and found it very brave and moving. I wanted to comment, but was having trouble registering. It's sad that any illness can be picked apart as a weakness by both the pro and anti vegans. We definitely don't help the animals by creating this shame culture. I hope you are doing as well as you can and have good support as you process your diagnosis!
DeleteWait, I remember now I did comment on your blog. I'll chalk that one up to recent ill brain. :)
DeleteYes, you did! And thank you.
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