Omnivores often associate vegans and vegetarians with some fairly negative and misleading stereotypes. Unfortunately, these stereotypes may keep these omnivores from considering the much healthier lifestyle for themselves.

The newspaper staff is definitely guilty of having some of those negative stereotypes. “Tree-hugging hippies” was one term that was used to describe non-meat eaters. Another description was “very weak and very Democrat.”

According to one staff member, the ultimate stereotypical vegan would be a “thin, blonde white girl who really loves Instagram.”

These stereotypes frequently affect the way that vegetarians, especially vegans, are perceived. Believe it or not, not all vegans and vegetarians are snobby or smug because they do not eat meat, and not every vegan finds the need to insert the fact that they’re a vegan into every conversation.

One staff member is a vegetarian, and the majority said they wouldn’t consider trying a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

It’s likely that many more people would consider the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle if they weren’t blinded by misconceptions.

One of those benefits is that transitioning to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle could likely increase one’s lifespan, especially since a plant based diet can lead to a highly reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Ischemic heart disease, hypertension, strokes, obesity, and some cancers, including prostate and colon.

Many staff members did admit to the personal health advantages of these diets.

Some think that there aren’t enough vegetarians and vegans out there to actually make any sort of impact on the lives of animals or the environment.