Being a vegetarian can be a healthy alternative for animal rights activists, health gurus or people who just don’t like the taste of meat. However, sometimes vegetarianism is misused. People may go veggie just to lose weight. Some cut meat from their diet — along with all other food.

“My ex-boyfriend’s sister is a little overweight right now, and she magically became a vegetarian,” said Jenny Pryor, sophomore psychology major.

The newfound vegetarian uses her diet as an excuse to eat less and mentally go on a diet, Pryor said.

There are healthy and unhealthy vegetarians, according to peta.org.

Ryan Huling, senior college campaign coordinator for peta2, said there’s no reason vegetarians at Kent State should be eating unhealthily.

“KSU is among the most veg-friendly schools in the country,” Huling said. “If people are not eating, it’s not for a lack of options, that’s for sure.”

Some just don’t eat because they aren’t sure what is considered to be vegan or vegetarian.

Evan Allison, junior nursing major, said his friend went vegan and didn’t think he could eat anything until he discovered the vegan market at Kent State. As for his friend’s choice to become vegetarian, “I think it’s because he didn’t want to eat that much,” Allison said.

However, there are many people do become vegetarians for positive reasons.

“I don’t eat meat because I don’t like the taste of it,” said Erica Itzkowitz, sophomore theatre and sign language major.

Itzkowitz said she’s a vegetarian, but she doesn’t think of herself as too skinny or unhealthy.

Unhealthy eating habits have nothing to do with vegetarianism, Huling said.

“If people are not eating anything, then that’s going to be an issue regardless of whether they’re vegetarian or not,” he said.

You can contact Kelsey Misbrener at [email protected].