For Health Reasons or Religious Fervor?

I was at an all day conference Saturday.  It started at 8 in the morning and didn’t end until around 6 that night (with a reception at the bar.)

During lunch I sat next to a man who didn’t get any food but only drank water.  Since we were chatting amicably about the wonderful information we were receiving during the conference I felt brave enough to ask him why he wasn’t having any lunch.

Now, before I give you his answer – let me tell you that we were in a very upscale hotel in San Francisco and the luncheon buffet was diverse and ample.  There were multiple choices of salads, meats, cheeses, etc.  It was easy to be selective if you had dietary considerations.

Except if you were vegan.

My luncheon companion – let’s call him Vince (not his real name) told me he and his wife were vegan for health reasons.   I replied that although the salads were not necessarily vegan, they were clean and healthy and couldn’t he make an exception.

No, he was afraid, he said that if he made any exception at all he was afraid it might be the start of a slippery slope.  (His words.)

I got to thinking – that’s not healthy.  Not eating all day isn’t really good for you.  As a matter of fact, in the Jewish religion on Yom Kippur which is the day of atonement, you are supposed to fast all day.  BUT, you are taught that if for any health reason, or if you feel shaky (my words) eat.  Your health is more important than the symbol of fasting.

Most people, if they have food preferences – but not allergies – would indulge at a buffet such as this knowing it was their only opportunity until a late dinner for food.

But Vince wouldn’t touch anything – and when I jokingly pointed out that the water wasn’t vegan – he actually stopped drinking it.  (AND, yes, I am sorry I teased him in that manner because I made it even harder for him – which was not my intent.)

So this was clearly more than for health reasons.

I’m diabetic and I try to be careful about sweets and carbs – but that doesn’t mean that I never ever never have any.  It means I eat almost no sweets and keep my carbs down lower than most people would.  BUT – if all there were to eat one day were carbs, I would eat them and try to balance it out later. 

Vince’s unwillingness to eat anything (or drink anything) not vegan was more than just a desire to be healthy – it bordered on religious fervor.  Why I wonder? 

Why would a seemingly intelligent and rational man – who had so many choices – choose to be strictly orthodox about his food – unless it was for religious reasons? 

What, I wonder causes someone to take such an extreme position in San Francisco, California in 2020? 

Aristotle said:  “All things in moderation.”

I really believe that’s the way to live about most things – certainly about what and when you eat. 

So, what causes people to take on such a strong cause as being 100% vegan no matter how inconvenient?  It’s got to be because of a belief system much different from what’s nutritionally sound. 

Do you agree?