*by Billy Lee*

Let’s talk turkey. Or rather, as vegans might prefer, tofurkey. This November, one percent of Americans ages eight to 18 will eat an animal-free Thanksgiving meal, according to a 2009 study by the Vegetarian Recourse Group. But considering that meat is the staple of this American tradition, many wonder how vegans survive turkey day.

Junior Natalie Kra has been vegan for two months and will indulge in an array of vegetables, salad and vegan pasta on Thanksgiving, as well as cranberry products and mashed potatoes made with vegan butter.

“Every year, I have enough options so I just skip the whole turkey thing,” she said.

Thanksgiving alternatives include “tofurkey”—tofu turkey—which has gained popularity in recent years, as have vegan gravy and stuffing.

Senior Sophie Koneff became a vegan several months ago to cure her chronic neck pain.

“There were these studies that showed that different diets could reduce chronic pains, and veganism was the only one that actually made it go away,” she said. “So I decided to try it and it worked.”

Though animal-free meals are widely available, vegan teenagers often struggle to stay healthy because their diet lacks the calcium, iron and vitamins found in animal products.

Koneff lost 15 lbs. when she first gave up animal products. To compensate for the nutrients she’s missing in her diet, she drinks a protein shake every morning and takes supplements.

Koneff said it has gradually become easier to abstain from meat, but there are always new challenges.

“There are a lot of different occasions that are kind of a basis for meat,” she said. “I went to homecoming and everyone ordered something with meat and steak.”

Though Thanksgiving poses additional temptation to eat meat, this year Koneff will try a fake turkey meal suggested to her by her vegetarian friend.

Staying vegan on Thanksgiving poses fewer challenges for junior Leslie Smith, as her entire family has been vegetarian for seven years. They will all eat tofurkey and her mom will cook vegan mashed potatoes. The only item she can’t have is pumpkin pie because of the egg content.

Smith decided to go vegan one year ago after reading “The Kind Diet” by Alicia Silverstone, which comments on the environmental and animal rights benefits of avoiding animal products.

“Even if you’re vegetarian, you still indirectly promote the meat industry,” she said.

Despite the growing number of vegans, the vast majority of us will still enjoy devouring our meat on Thanksgiving.

“There’s nothing better than a delicious turkey on Thanksgiving,” senior Jose Landaverde said. “It’s hot, it’s fresh and it’s patriotic.”