Nutrition and environmental impacts: Experience Report about the 1st Vegan Journey

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, there is much awareness about the importance and need of alternative and sustainable diets. Many people have raised the awareness and need for alternative and sustainable diets. A diet focused on sustainable and conscious consumption of minimally processed vegetable sources with reduced consumption of meat and derivatives is the central objective of the vegetarian and vegan diet. Willing to broaden the debate about the aforementioned diets, an event was held with the aim of creating an all-embracing space for democratic and scientific debate. EXPERIENCE REPORT: The organizing committee was formed by eleven IFMSA Brazil affiliates from different universities. The event counted with the Brazilian Vegetarian Society partnership. It was broadcasted during two consecutive weeks, through the Stream Yard, online platform, on Youtube. The registration and check-out forms were done through Google Forms. DISCUSSION: Although there is a significant number of vegetarians in Brazil, there are persistent scientific gaps between graduation in medicine and vegetarianism, what demonstrates a mismatch between higher education and social changes. Vegetarian diets are associated with many myths and prejudices, what makes the approach of the subject in medical school even more important, to individual knowledge and to be able to discuss it with patients. The lack of literature on the correlation of medical graduation with vegetarianism, parallel to the significant number of vegetarians, demonstrates that higher education is generally out of step with social changes. CONCLUSION: The conference evidenced the interest of the population in the event's theme and the need to approach the subject with health area students. Also, from a global aspect, the event brought information about the impact of animal products’ consumption on the planet, bringing awareness and information to participants. It is recommended to increase events in this area to increase practical skills about this theme in academic and professional spheres.