The animal-rights organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has named former President Bill Clinton its 2010 person of the year after he announced that he’s now embracing a vegan diet.
The former president cut out meat and dairy after a challenge from his daughter, Chelsea, to lose 15 pounds in time for her wedding. Clinton beat the goal and lost 24 pounds.
“I live on beans, legumes, vegetables, fruit. I drink a protein supplement every morning — no dairy, I drink almond milk mixed in with fruit and a protein powder so I get the protein for the day when I start the day up,” he said in a TV interview.
“Bill Clinton won not only because he’s the most prominent person to go vegan this year but also because he used his platform to articulate the reasons why a plant-based diet is the most healthy diet,” says PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews. “And of course, it doesn’t hurt that he has Chelsea’s lead to follow. She went vegan at 10, though her motivation was simply not wanting to support cruelty to animals.”
Clinton isn’t the only politician to win the honor — the late animal-friendly Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.V.) won in 2007. The former president will receive an award plaque and a letter of appreciation from PETA at his office in Harlem.
Source: BLTWY of MSNBC
Posted by Kaci Switzer
