Comments: Susianto: Born to be a vegan

March 21, p. 28

It is hard not to become vegetarian once you’ve met vegan expert Susianto.

First, the 43-year-old coordinator of the International Vegetarian Union in Asia Pacific will take you through mountains of scientific data from reputable institutions that show vegetarianism is good for your health.

Second, having spent half his life as a vegetarian, Susianto is living proof that eating plants and not meat
does wonders to your body and
appearance.

Indeed, when The Jakarta Post met Susianto recently, his skin was healthy and bright, and he looked younger than his age.

The man, who just received a doctorate from the University of Indonesia for his research on tempeh, has been a vegetarian for 23 years. He stopped eating meat while he was studying a bachelor degree in Yogyakarta, majoring in chemistry at the Gadjah Mada University.

Your comments:

I believe that people have their reasons to do things, and your reasons are acceptable until a point that made me think.

When there is a tsunami you do know that vegetables are going to be hard to find, right?

A Ricky Suroso
Jakarta

This story about vegetarianism/veganism is an inspiration not just a healthy diet choice but also when you take into account the environmental cost of the world’s meat consumption. In 2006, the Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that the meat industry contributed 18 percent to all greenhouse gas emissions.

So by following Susianto’s steps we can also make not only healthy choices for ourselves and our longevity but also for the health and longevity of the planet. And also these choices can be delicious in a country like Indonesia, which has such a beautiful variety of fruits and vegetables and traditional vegetarian dishes such as tempeh and gado-gado.

Steve
Perth