PETA Statement, re: European Morning-After Pill (Plan B) Not Effective for Women Over 176 Pounds – PETA Launches ‘Plan V’ for ‘Vegan’

For Immediate Release:
December 3, 2013

It’s unfortunate that we cannot have a productive discussion about women’s health without the conversation devolving into accusations of “fat shaming.” Until Plan B is modified to work for women of all heights and weights, we want women to know that switching to a vegan diet is a healthy way for the vast majority of women, who are, on average, about 5 feet 4 inches tall, to maintain or regain access to this form of emergency contraception. Just as all women should have access to reproductive planning tools, all women deserve to know that adopting a plant-based diet is a great way to improve their health, regardless of their height, weight, or reproductive status. Not only are vegans less prone to obesity, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, they are also less likely to suffer from heart disease and cancer, and they have lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than meat-eaters do, on average. Recent research disputing the idea that a person can be obese and healthy further underscores that what is truly shameful is attempting to silence those who are letting women know what healthy weight-loss options are available to them.