Daily Dosage: PETA hates your body (but loves animals, apparently)

If you eat meat, you probably can’t stand PETA. But – perhaps to your surprise – many a vegan, myself included, are even more disgusted by the organization and their tactics. Nothing annoys me more than activism, for issues I really care about, that warps the argument and instead promotes ideas that are downright detrimental.

Like the image above. PETA’s latest campaign is called “Save the Whales.” Of the non-human animal and Homo sapiens variety:

Anyone wishing to achieve a hot “beach bod” is reminded that studies show that vegetarians are, on average, about 10 to 20 pounds lighter than meat-eaters…”Trying to hide your thunder thighs and balloon belly is no day at the beach,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman.

So, let’s skip the animal advocacy and promote distorted body image and eating disorders instead. And, while we’re at it, let’s also use the health benefits of veganism to perpetuate the idea that one should consider the lifestyle if they want to drop a few pounds and fit into smaller pants.

Studies show that teens with eating disorders are more likely to be vegetarian than their peers. And I’m willing to bet that most probably spend more time counting the calories in their Boca Burgers than studying up on animal rights.

On behalf of all the teenagers who already feel bad about their bodies this summer: thanks, PETA!