What do vegans even eat— just lettuce? This is a common question that arises at the mere mention of the word “vegan” or “vegetarian.” Reactions tend to vary: some immediately judge the lifestyle, others praise it, and many remain indifferent. Who knew that someone’s diet choice could spark so much controversy, even among those who aren’t directly affected by what others eat? Thanks to social media, dietary trends are spreading faster than ever, with so-called “nutrition” influencers promoting various lifestyles. Young viewers must navigate the constantly changing ideas of what “good” health looks like—recently, raw food and meat-heavy diets have taken the spotlight. Influencers encourage their viewers to eat meat for every meal, and consume raw butter and other animal products as snacks. In Santa Barbara, vegan options are limited. Victoria Dryden, English Instructor and Department Chair, has been vegan since high school, and has noticed a scarcity of local vegan restaurants, especially compared to Seattle, Washington, where she used to live. “I feel like Santa Barbara used to have more vegan places, like Oliver’s in Montecito and Mesa Verde, but they both closed. There are still some, like The Blue Owl, The Daisy, and Savoy Café, that offer vegan options, but I was disappointed when Oliver’s and Mesa Verde closed,” Dryden said. Although California is known for its “organic” and radical approach to dieting, authentic vegan food can be surprisingly hard to find. “There are a lot of places where I’m down to just a salad, so sometimes choices aren’t as plentiful,” Dryden said. “I guess being in a school where I think I’m the only vegan makes it harder during staff lunches and trips. Most of the time, I have to bring my own food.” The ever-changing trend cycle— from keto and carnivore to fruitarian, raw food, and low-carb diets—makes it difficult to determine which eating habits are beneficial for both health and the environment. Most people come to the conclusion that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer; balance is key, and no matter what trends are circulating, it’s important to eat what’s right for your body and circumstances. For senior John Dylan Comis, a well-balanced diet gives him the fuel he needs for playing football. “For breakfast, I’ll usually eat something like eggs, maybe have a glass of milk and some fruit,” he said, adding that he eats turkey or tuna for lunch and meat with vegetables for dinner. From an evolutionary standpoint, humans are omnivores, eating both animal and plant-based foods. However, due to industrial farming practices, the extraction of animal products has become increasingly unethical. “I feel good knowing that I’m not contributing to the slaughter of innocent animals,” Dryden said. “I also think I don’t get sick as often as meat eaters, and I find that really good vegan food requires more attention to flavors and spices, so I think the cooking is actually better.” One of the biggest concerns about a vegan diet is whether it provides enough vitamins and protein. According to the National Library of Medicine, vegans have greater iron needs than those on other diets because nonheme iron, found in plant-based foods like whole grains, legumes, and nuts, is less easily absorbed by the body. However, other nutrients that may be lacking in a vegan diet—such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, and zinc—can be taken in supplement form rather than sourced from animal products. “During football season, I look for meals packed with protein and carbs because I need the quick energy,” John said. “The major downside of veganism, for me, is that you might miss out on the protein, minerals, and vitamins you get from meat. You may not always be able to get the same from plants. I might consider becoming vegan at a point when I’m not working out as much, and if I found good alternatives, I’d consider giving up meat.”