This past week I did a brief interview for Care2.com, about vegan parenting. With some of the controversy that arose with the “Vegan Is Love” book, I was asked a few questions. They posted the piece yesterday.
Today I read this comment that was posted to the article. This person said:
“What I have noticed most with all the vegans I have met or seen (including the photo of the author of this article) is their skin always looks prematurely wrinkled, extremely thin or exceedingly pale, usually with dark undereye circles, probably from iron deficiency.”
Can I speak to this, folks? I did leave a comment on the article, but really want to elaborate here. That photo was taken as part of a family photo shoot just 2 or 3 weeks after our third baby was born. 3 WEEKS! Anyone that has had children knows that 3 weeks pospartum, you look and feel like crud. And, not only was our baby up about 5 times through the night (and had reflux), I had two other children to take care of during the day – and also had in-laws visiting at the time. So, forgive me if I have dark circles under my eyes and some age-appropriate wrinkles, I had a lot on my proverbial plate. And, I was 39 at the time.
And, I had a few wrinkles. What 39 woman doesn’t? I don’t mean women in Hollywood. On that topic, when Jennifer Lopez was named “the most beautiful woman in the world” last year, I thought “wow, now 40 year old women have that standard to live up to“.
She doesn’t look 40 on this cover. I would like to see Jennifer without the special make-up and lighting and photoshop work. I know she is still beautiful, because she IS a beautiful woman. Here, however she looks more like a beautiful 28 year old than 40 year old.
I just need to say this because I’ve been “out there” for more than 10 years now. I know that being a visible spokesperson for living vegan, and being a vegan mom, I will always be judged on my appearance – because my photos are on the internet. It’s very hard, and like I said in my comment, I try to judge my health by how I feel. And most days I feel pretty damn good. Most days. I am a mom of 3 with no extended family support, that is also running her own career without much assistance. So, my days are full-on, and there are no vacations or weekends.
I work hard because I am passionate. But, alas, I am 41, so I won’t look 30. I think I look pretty good for my age, but also I feel very good for my age. (Excepting these occasional judgemental comments, that is.)
As women, we are judged FAR more on our appearance than are men. It is unfortunate that women take so much judgement for how they look – rather than being judged for what they contribute.
Finally, to address the issue of iron. It is a gross misperception that vegans are anemic. It has been shown that “iron deficiency anemia is no more common among vegetarians than among the general population“. If you are eating foods like dark leafy greens (kale, collards, bok choy), beans and nuts and seeds and other varied whole foods, it is not at all difficult to obtain the iron you need on a vegan diet.
(p.s. I write this today not to seek compliments or reassurance – we all enjoy such positive feedback, but that is not my intention. Rather, I want to speak to the unreasonable and unattainable expectations for women as they age – and the equally unfair judgements placed on vegans.)
Lela says
I have been changing my diet over to partial-vegan (flexitarian) for a while now. It’s been an interesting and challenging transition. I am doing it for health benefits and to help find dairy-free recipes, since I am casein intolerant, as opposed to moralistic reasons. Long story short, I have been doing tons of reading on vegan and raw-vegan and partial-raw-vegan and flexitarian diets for months now. It is very apparent to me that vegans of any kind are held up to the light for extra scrutiny. Women in particular! You have a wrinkle? It’s the vegan diet. YOu caught a cold? Obviously the vegan diet. If you’re eating vegan why don’t you look ‘twenty years younger’ like some report to do? Obviously doing it wrong! It must be exhausting to have to defend your dietary choices so often. I therefore for that very reason fly under the radar as much as I can. If I go out to eat and only order asian salad and edamame and tell them to ‘hold the salmon’, I tell my friends, ‘I just have such a craving for greens today,’. If I get a cheese-free pizza with toppings, my friends understand it’s because I’m casein intolerance, not because I’m doing the vegan thing. Being vegan or part time vegan seems to require a real tenacity because a lot of people will want to argue with you. You can’t argue iwth food allergies…but veganism seems to incite minor riots! ANyway, I’m going to check out your blog. THanks for being here!
Star says
Hey I just wanted to comment im 22 and a vegan and before veganism people always told me i look young like 16,17,18 at least 3 years younger than my age my entire life! i use to hate it but i love it now had to get used to it but also my mother is 40 not a vegan i think kinda far from one and looks 20 and always got told she looks like a young girl so i dont think its ALL diet based even though plant based slows down aging process but its genetics well-being stressing exercise products used and environment factors that are included …well i love vegan diet havent been sick in my life hope this only strengthens me! peace and love –let thy food be thy medicine=-hippocrates
Janae Wise says
Dreena: I got your back :). I understand what you are saying–totally. I had a friend once tell me the reason I was sick (I had the flu at the time) that it was because I was vegan. Thanks for taking the time to point out that we all age & despite even the best diet, we’re going to have some off days or times. Yes, wouldn’t it be swell if we could all be like the stars & remain ageless? Not really. I think J.Lo does all women a diservice by perpetuating this idea that women have only have value based on youth & sex appeal. Jamie Lee Curtis is more on the money in that regard.
Anyway, sending you lots of love & reassurance–you’re doing the right thing by speaking up & out for this :)!
Dreena says
Janae, I appreciate that. It’s a double whammy, being vegan and being a woman. Glad I’ve got the support of other good-hearted women and vegans – like you.
Richa@HobbyandMore says
I think people will jsut about find anything to judge and attach to vegans.:) generally that is one of the reasons that makes me scared to be out there.. but i am working on that..
veganlinda says
As a 40 year old vegan woman (and mother of three), I appreciate this post. Thanks for “being out there”. I appreciate it!
Dreena says
Thank you Linda.