THE PEDDLING OF VEGANISM ON SOCIAL MEDIA: It’s not a diet, and it’s certainly not about YOU!

The stories of three women social media 'influencers' who built huge followings around their Vegan lifestyles, made their money, and then they started eating meat again.

COLLEEN DE BELLEFONDS: There’s a joke vegans love to roll their eyes at: How do you know someone’s vegan? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you. Sure, not every vegan is like that. But for vegan influencers like Yovana Mendoza, formerly known as Rawvana on YouTube (because she followed a raw vegan diet), that outspoken, often ride-or-die dedication to her vegan diet was not just her personal ethos–it was her brand.

“The vegan community tends to be very passionate,” says Yovana, who at one point boasted as many as half a million subscribes on YouTube (2 million on her Spanish language channel) and 1.3 million Instagram followers.

But that fervor can quickly turn against you — something Yovana learned after she was seen eating fish in a now-viral video posted by a fellow vlogger, resulting in a huge outcry from her followers. “I was in shock and felt confused and ashamed at the response,” she says.

It’s not unusual for vegans to struggle to stick to their strict diets, says Lisa Moskovitz, RD, the CEO of NY Nutrition Group. While it can be a healthy choice for some, restrictions can also lead to nutrient deficiencies over time, which can sap energy and weaken the immune system. A deterioration in health and well-being is often what leads people to ditch veganism, she explains.

But for the influencers who are making a living by preaching the benefits of their diet via YouTube videos, #sponsored Instagram posts, and books, the decision to quit veganism is tied up in so much more than their health. Here, the stories of how three women decided to quit veganism, coped with the backlash, and found peace with their diets once and for all. SOURCE…

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