"Vegans Are Pale" - The Stereotype

The stereotype is "vegans are pale." Before I get there, please watch: http://veganvideo.org/

People who say "vegans are pale." are:
a) Racist* - There are plenty of vegetarians and vegans of color who are not pale. Whenever someone says that "vegans are pale" they are ignoring and marginalizing veg*ns of color.
(BTW, check out this group blog for and about Vegans of Color: http://vegansofcolor.wordpress.com/ )

People who say "vegans are pale." are:
b) Ignorant of nutrition - There are plenty of plant sources of iron and other nutrients that effect skin color. Beans and dark green leafy vegetables are good sources of iron. According to VRG, beans and leafy greens are even better iron sources (on a per calorie basis) than animal flesh.
For more details about iron, please check out:
http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/i...
http://www.vegansociety.com/food/nutr...
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.htm

More generally about vegan nutrition:
http://www.veganhealth.org/
http://www.vegansociety.com/html/food...
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/

And of course, the ADA paper on vegetarianism and veganism:
http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/veg...
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/...

People who say "vegans are pale." are:
c) Annoying - The sun is a more relevant and obvious issue when it comes to tanned skin versus pale skin.

And hey, since we're talking about the sun, make sure you get enough vitamin D! You can get it by going out in the sun for an hour a day or you can eat fortified foods or you can take a supplement. You do NOT have to eat animals in order to get vitamin D.

More on that here:
http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/b...
http://www.vegansociety.com/food/nutr...

I have never had any documented nutrient deficiency. I am very healthy. My skin pigment (or lack therof) is healthy, normal, and fine.

Watch more of my videos here:
http://kangarooelaine.blogspot.com/

PS - want to donate blood? Here's one resource:
http://www.givelife.org/

*It should be noted that there are all kinds of racists in this world and the ones who say "vegans are pale" are just one of many and certainly not even close to the worst kind. It should also be noted that white people including myself are privileged and thus our conception of racism isn't as complete as that of a person of color. We should try to "unpack the invisible napsack." Here's one link to read to begin that process:
http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mc...

But... I can hear some of you say, "vegans are privileged." Well, here's my response: Veganism can be made easier by white privilege and other privileges, but veganism is for everyone and veganism involves much more than privilege. Continued here:
http://www.vegansoapbox.com/veganism-...
and
http://www.vegansoapbox.com/veganism-...

Thanks for watching :)

PS - Regarding B12:
The only reliable vegan sources of B12 are foods fortified with B12 like many cereals and soy milks and B12 supplements (vitamins). More:
http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/e...
http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2007n...
http://veganbits.com/the-b12-issue/
take care of yourself :)

pps - check out Vegan Soapbox:
http://www.vegansoapbox.com/