U of T voted Canada’s most vegetarian-friendly university

More than 10 000 students have spoken, and the University of Toronto has been voted the most vegetarian-friendly university in Canada in an online competition sponsored by peta2 - the world’s largest youth animal rights organization. At a university with more than 63 000 undergraduates, it can be tough to meet the needs of the large vegetarian population on campus, but because of the efforts of the student group UTCARE (U.T. Coalition for Animal Rights and the Environment), the University of Toronto offers the best vegetarian and vegan options in Canada.

Why are more and more students choosing meat-, egg-, and dairy-free foods? One reason is for better health. Consumption of meat and other animal products has been conclusively linked to heart disease, strokes, diabetes, obesity and several types of cancer. Both the Dieticians of Canada and the American Dietetic Association have endorsed vegetarian diets. And going vegetarian is good for the environment - check out our post on veggie restos in the city for more information.

“We congratulate the U of T for meeting its students’ growing hunger for healthy, delicious and humane vegetarian food,” says peta2 assistant director Dan Shannon. “At every meal, the school is proving that keeping fit, trim and healthy - and helping animals at the same time - has never been easier.”

The University of Toronto was chosen from 10 Canadian nominees, which were nominated through student recommendations, feedback through MySpace and Facebook and communication with the schools. Rounding out the list of Canada’s top five vegetarian-friendly colleges are McMaster University (last year’s winner), the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria and Trent. Northwestern University took top honours among U.S. schools.