Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Vanessa del Valle's avatar

Look, I respect other people’s food choices as their own, but the idea that veganism provides enough bio-available protein (and the idea that we need “way less protein than we think” in the first place) is just mythical. If you want to build muscle for strong bones and longevity, a high protein diet paired with good exercise that includes weight training would look like a gram of protein per pound of body weight per day. Animal protein is has more bioavailability than plant. Most people aren’t going to hit even close to those goals being vegan, and it’s infuriating when they insist it can be done long-term for EVERYONE. Yes, we should care about where our food comes from and make good choices. But I am so tired of veganism masquerading as a healthy choice for the human body— it often isn’t, and we are called to take good care of ourselves first and foremost.

Expand full comment
Steven's avatar

I’m writing to follow up on the comment I previously left, expressing disappointment that your blog no longer promotes a fully vegan approach. I want to explain more deeply where I’m coming from.

When I saw the title Jewish Food Hero, I felt inspired. To me, a “hero” is someone who makes courageous choices for the betterment of humanity, who aligns actions with compassion and justice. Veganism is exactly that—it is a path that promotes healing, minimizes harm, and offers a solution to many of the ethical and health crises we face today.

As a long-time healthcare provider, and with a spouse in medicine as well, I see every day the damage caused by animal-based diets: chronic disease, inflammation, suffering. And yet, what’s even more troubling is that the suffering of the animals themselves is hidden from us—kept out of sight by a powerful and often corrupt system. This concealment exists even within our own religious community, where some go to great lengths to avoid confronting the ethical implications of eating animals, despite our faith’s foundational values like tza’ar ba’alei chayim.

If a rabbi is not vegan, can he truly embody the holiness he teaches? If a healthcare provider is not promoting a plant-based diet, can they truly call themselves a healer? And if we take on the mantle of “hero,” then doesn’t that mean standing up for the voiceless and the vulnerable—human or not?

I understand that you may have had health challenges with a vegan diet. That’s valid. But the answer isn’t returning to animal products—it’s exploring why the vegan diet didn’t work, especially when history shows us that the world’s greatest civilizations, from the Roman Empire to ancient China, thrived on diets that were overwhelmingly plant-based.

I say this with respect and hope. You’ve created a powerful platform. You’ve influenced many. I believe your voice could be even more powerful by returning to a truly compassionate, plant-based message—one that honors both Jewish values and universal ethics.

Expand full comment
13 more comments...

No posts