To never eat Lechon again

CEBU, Philippines - When I was working at a nursing home in New Jersey, we had an occupational therapy student who was a vegetarian.

I’d never encountered a vegetarian in such close proximity before. It was unimaginable to picture a vegetarian in the Philippines. (What? You don’t eat lechon?) During lunch when we gathered around the table, I couldn’t help being nosy and checking out what she brought to eat. I had the notion that vegetarians only ate vegetables and grass. I was surprised to discover that they had exciting choices: the student ate fruits, sandwiches, yogurt, salads, cheese, and veggie burgers that taste like meat burgers. I discovered there were all kinds of fake “meat” : turkey, beef, etc. They are made from soy, wheat, or “quorn” (which is described as a fungus.) The student didn’t eat chips or any junk food. She didn’t even eat eggs. “I just don’t like the taste of it” she said.

When I asked why she chose to become a vegetarian she said, “It’s about sustainability. People eat animals, and animals eat plants. I think it’s better to eat plants directly and not kill animals.”

We had another co-worker who claimed she was “sort of vegetarian.” All she ate for lunch were salads, with oil and vinegar dressing. She told us she used to be overweight and her cholesterol was over 300. Her doctor told her that if she didn’t stop, she could become a diabetic. She got scared and became a vegetarian. Or, almost one. She said she ate a chicken salad sandwich every now and then. She saw me sinking my fangs into a cupcake and she commented, “Oh no, a corn muffin isn’t good for breakfast! It’s too high in trans fat and sugar!” I replied, “It’s a cheese cupcake.” “That’s even worse!” she replied.

A few weeks later I was forced to become a vegetarian. More accurately, I had to refrain from eating anything that required chewing. One of my wisdom teeth was inflamed, and it was one of the worst pains I’d ever experienced. Chewing food, one of my favorite pastimes, was impossible. I had to resort to a liquid diet: tea, milk, shakes, soups and water. I was surprised at how well I adapted to it. I discovered that I didn’t need much food to sustain me. I didn’t even feel hungry. This went on for 6 days. Now I’m back to eating regular food, but I realized from that experience how easy it is to stay away from meat.

A few years ago, in the Philippines, they checked my cholesterol and it was 232. Anything above 200 is unhealthy for the heart. I was appalled. I wasn’t overweight, but I was eating all sorts of junk. I didn’t have a lot of choice. The most famous style of cooking in the Philippines is called Frying in Fat. Everyday I would be eating deep-fried food. Plus, I regularly ate at McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Shakey’s, Jollibee, and Don Henrico’s. When I moved to the U.S., my cousin and I started eating healthier foods. We ate more cereals, oatmeal, yogurt, and fish, and drank soy milk. We still ate chicharon once in a while, though. But my cholesterol went down to 164.

I would love to eat healthier and be kinder to my body. But I highly doubt I would become a vegetarian. Can you imagine never eating lechon and dinuguan again? My ideal move would be to increase my intake of a vegetarian-based diet and lessen my intake of meat and unhealthy foods. I always prefer to go the middle way. But I’m not banning Wendy’s for the rest of my life.  (FREEMAN)