As a long-time vegan, I was interested to read Chris Bickel's columns during the last month and am happy to read that he will stay a vegetarian ("Experiment has surprise ending," Oct. 30).

When I first became vegan and changed my eating habits, my cholesterol went down and my energy went up. That's because plant-based foods are cholesterol-free and packed with protein, calcium, and other vital nutrients.

For me, this was an added bonus to going vegan -- I didn't make the switch for health reasons. I became vegan as a way to express my compassion for all animals.

Leaving animals off our plates is a simple and effective step each of us can take to help build a healthier and more humane world.

Francesca Valente

Washington, D.C.