Vegan diet spotlighted on 'Oprah' episode featuring authors Kathy Freston, Michael Pollan

Oprah Winfrey is no stranger to eating a vegan diet -- she famously tried a 21-day vegan cleanse in 2008 -- but she recently upped the ante, convincing 378 staffers at her production company to go vegan for a week and documenting the results on Tuesday's "Oprah" episode.

Winfrey's guests included Michael Pollan, the author of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and an expert on the meat industry, and Kathy Freston, whose new book "Veganist: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change the World" is currently Amazon's top seller. Also featured on the program was a segment in which reporter Lisa Ling visited a slaughterhouse.

Freston, whose previous book inspired Winfrey's first foray into the world of veganism, is nothing if not a persuasive advocate for plant-based diets: Journalist John Heilpern, who recently interviewed Freston for Vanity Fair, ended his article by explaining, "I will never become an alfalfa-and-brown-rice man, but since my lunch with Kathy Freston I have decided to give up eating all meat."

Animal-rights activists appeared divided on the episode's merits, with many commenting on Twitter and Facebook that they appreciated the exposure Oprah offered veganism but didn't appreciate the tone of the segment on animal slaughter, which some viewed as downplaying the inherent cruelty of killing animals for food. After the jump, a sample of the chatter from vegans on Twitter.

PETA estimates that more than 16 billion animals are killed for food every year.

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: Winfrey in 2010. Credit: Evan Agostini / Associated Press

 

Comments

[Tammy]

This recap is spot on. As a vegan, I have mixed feelings about the episode. It is wonderful that Oprah and her staffers would give veganism mainstream exposure, but I have two major complaints:

1) Cargill did not allow Lisa Ling to show the actual slaughter of cows, only their "processing" after death. You have to ask yourself why Cargill refused to allow the killing to be video taped and aired if the process is so "humane".

2) All of the emphasis was on "fake" meat substitutes and not on actually teaching Oprah's staffers to appreciate the taste and health benefits of vegetables, legumes, and whole grains...in other words, real vegan foods that are accessible and affordable for all.

Still, if even one viewer chooses a more compassionate diet after watching the episode, then the job was done.

[Jacqui Brown]

I think I'll stick to eating my words.

[Sandy]

The issue, I believe, is the actual industries that viscously abuse the animals-treat them like "haulacost" were not braugth up in the show. If you see the Videos from Peta.org, than you wuoud see the real footage of the serious torture. Moreover, they only focused on cows- what about the pigs? There are places where animals stand in one position their whole life- the physical pain and torture is unbelievable. There are cattle that get skinned alive. It may not be happeneing in AMerica. But the american companies may have their production overseas where all this is happening. The demand for meat is so high that animals are mass produced in a way that companies can make the most proft possible. The animals life is no concern there Thats the issue and that needs to STOP! If Oprah could focus on that matter closely it would make us all happier

[GDK]

Yes animals are used for food BUT, that does NOT mean they are to be treated the way they are!!!!!!!!! As an AHT w/a Veterinary Science and Agricultural degree. These animals should be treated better than they are. Being gut loaded with chicken manure and wood shavings hours prior to being slaughtered is just cruel and heartless, not to mention that is what you are putting your own stomach! It's true, look it up. Every animal has feelings and they are extremely intelligent and most times try to escape their fate of slaughter. I am not going to stand her and preach that all slaughter needs to end but the cruelty and poor treatment of God's creature does.

[Trudy Messinger]

My husband and sons hunt ,the meat is lean and dillicious.
I raised chickens for my freezer.grew my vegetables and bought rabbits from another grower.All natural. But want to start the vegan diet.where can I find the book.

[Fred Hornaday]

The thing is, it's really hard to go vegan for just a week, because you have to replace so many items in your fridge and pantry, and you have to cut out almost all restaurant food. It probably takes a couple months to get into the groove of the new diet, to track down the right ingredients and the good restaurants, and to develop a menu that satisfies all your tastes and needs. Changing is difficult, but being vegan is not.

[Michael]

Its tough to determine what is right ethier way. I personally follow a mostly vegetarian diet. Occasionaly, I have been known to partake in some good fish or chicken.

Peoples emotions tend to run very hot when it comes to topics like this and it is understandable. Anything having to do with changing a persons way of life will have this effect.

I personally believe its not right to judge one way or the other. Leaving the choice up to the individual.

[Colleen Coleman]

Michael Pollan said eating meat isn't a sin. But I say not having compassion for animals who have feelings IS a sin. People who eat meat are totally lacking in compassion. They think eating meat is their right and their choice but is contributing to animal cruelty a choice or right that we have? Kathy Freston had good composure through this show, I am sure she had to bit her tongue a couple of times to keep from saying what she really wanted to say. I am proud of Oprah for airing this show because she is trying to do the right thing,

[Alyssa]

I am a former vegetarian who now eats meat, so I understand both sides of the debate.

I only buy beef from a small local farm in Central PA that raises 50 cows on 70 sprawling acres. Animal Welfare Approved maintains an online database of the farms that have achieved certification.

If you do choose to keep meat as part of your diet, then please consider only eating animal products from sources that you are 100% certain treat their animals humanely. Start by calling around and asking your local farmers some questions. A good resource to look up farms for vegetables, eggs, honey, meat, etc. is Local Harvest.

[Alyssa]

It is possible to consume animal products while remaining an animal lover and supporting sustainable practices.

I know that not everyone is lucky enough to have local sources for meat, eggs and poultry. But you'd be surprised how little effort it takes to locate a few small farms that have humane, sustainable practices in your area.

Small farms can't supply the huge amounts of meat that the average American eats every year: for our health, for animals' well-being and for the planet, meat should be a small and occasional side dish, not a daily main course. Of course, the more people who do well on a vegetarian and vegan diet, the better for animals and the environment. I am so happy that Oprah did a show that raised awareness about veganism. Reducing demand for factory farms is essential.

As I said above, Local Harvest and Animal Welfare Approved are two great sources for local farms. Call your farmers and start learning more about the small farms in your area!

[Happy Healthy and Vegan]

I applaud Oprah for bringing the word and understanding of VEGAN to the masses. A healthy life is a happy life and unfortunately the animals that the majority of Americans consume for food experience neither happiness nor health. Mercy for Animals just released a brand new groundbreaking documentary titled "Farm to Fridge" that shows the disgusting and horrific way in which our meat, dairy and eggs are brought from the (factory) farm to the fridge of Americans.

Please watch it here: http://mercyforanimals.org/