There are always questions and misconceptions surrounding vegan nutrition, so it seems that in order to help veganism become accepted on a mainstream level, it’s important to educate the public on vegan nutrition. Vegan professional Lubomir Stoyanov has an impressive educational background, and several ways in which he helps individuals understand veganism better. In particular, he focuses on the health benefits. Stoyanov is an example of how the simple act of spreading information about veganism can be an effective approach to raising awareness among the general population.
Vegan Mainstream: I know that you have studied nutrition science and bioinformatics, so I was wondering what piqued your interest in these fields? Did these areas make you aware of veganism, or were you already aware of this way of life?
Lubomir Stoyanov: I was already aware of the veggie way of life. The first reason was because of the health benefits—because of my yoga practice, but I would say the ethical reasons…are more important to me.
VM: How long have you been vegan and what does being vegan mean to you?
LS: Actually I was vegetarian six years ago, and I’m going step by step toward veganism. Now I’m nearly vegan. I think it is something that I’m doing with my whole heart, and…I think it’s very important to have such habits, because it’s just a habit for me, a very important habit.
VM: Now that vegetarian and veganism are becoming more mainstream what do you think is the best way for vegan businesses to reach individuals who aren’t vegans yet? Are facts and statistics the best approach when teaching non-vegans about this alternative way of life?
LS: I think it’s a question about marketing for [vegan businesses], but for me, I think the best way to reach the most people is through a funny way or an amusing way, but also a smart way. An example is the campaign of the Belgian organization, Ethical Vegetarian Alternative (EVA)—they have five reasons to live veggie. And the goal is to show in a simple, funny way that the veggie way can be good and tasty for you but also healthful, good for the planet, environment, animals—it could be good for many things.
VM: What do you think is the biggest misconception about a vegan diet, and how do you help people to understand it better?
LS: I always talk about the authorities. Now the science states that the vegan diet can be, if well-planned, very healthful. But I think the biggest misconceptions about the vegan diet are still the concerns about the nutritional adequacy of the veggie diet…I help people understand this better by being an active member of the Bulgarian Vegetarian Society. We [put out] a veggie magazine and [we try to make changes through that publication]. The society needs this information, and also I’m organizing some veggie forums. I’m an activist also.
VM: In the area of vegan food options, what do you think vegan consumers such as yourself would like to see more of?
LS: I think more vegan supplements and fortified foods with vitamin B 12 and long chain fatty acids—these are the DHA and EPA.
VM: In your opinion, is veganism embraced more in Europe than the U.S.? Or do you notice any differences between vegans in the U.S. from vegans in Germany?
LS: I think that veganism is an alternative answer to the extensive consumer society, which is a little bit more present in the U.S.A. than in Europe, and therefore veganism is more present in the U.S.A. But I think there are more vegetarians in Europe—the statistics show that, but I think the difference is not so big.
VM: I watched your speech at the 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair in 2009, and I was wondering how else you are helping people become more aware of the health benefits of a vegan diet.
LS: I do information activism. My speech from the Frankfurt Book Fair called “Go Vegan…Save Your Life” can be seen on YouTube. I’m an active member of the Bulgarian veggie non-profit and organizing some veggie forums—I simply help anytime I have the possibility to help.
VM: Do you feel that it is important (and/or appropriate) for vegan businesses to promote information about vegan nutrition, or do you think people should find their information about nutrition elsewhere?
LS: I’m not a businessman, but I think for me, as a vegan customer it is important…we live in a meat eating society and this information isn’t mainstream.
When it comes to reaching a mainstream audience with the vegan message, Stoyanov suggests a friendly yet informative approach. While you might want to repeat medical terminology and jargon to your potential customers to gain credibility, this approach can be overwhelming and confusing. Instead try educating them in a more informal way with the same factual information—just be creative and smart about it. If you would like more facts and statistics on the vegan diet to help you reach your customers, check out the American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) position on plant-based diets.
