Vegetarianism is the fastest-growing Lifestyle in Britain, particularly among teenagers.

To help the process, the campaigning vegetarian and vegan charity Viva! has produced a new video, Food for Life, aimed specifically at teenagers and their parents. It’s presenters are super-cool vegetarians Tina Landini, from Channel Five TV’s soap Family Affairs, and mega-fit Gladiators’ athlete Emmil Watson.

‘The main reason why young people become vegetarian is concern for the way animals are kept’, says Juliet Gellatley, Founder & Director of the vegetarian charity Viva! ‘But there is now overwhelming scientific evidence that a vegetarian diet is one of the healthiest possible so any decision to give up meat should be supported and encouraged. Food for Life covers most of the vegetarian issues and is a superb and reassuring introduction for anyone considering making the change’.

Emmil takes Tina on a voyage of discovery to meet different experts in this documentary style video. They include a doctor of nutrition, an environmentalist, a zoologist and veggie cookery writer Rose Elliot.

‘The issue which seems to worry people most – quite unnecessarily as it happens – is health and nutrition so we have given both great prominence,’ explains Ms Gellatley.

‘The visual imagery of commercial fishing and the way in which animals are kept is so powerful that they speak for themselves’. Food for Life also looks at environmental degradation and developing world issues.

The tone of the presenters is light hearted and never preachy while the overall impact of the video is to provide a convincing scientific case for a vegetarian lifestyle. ‘It presents powerful evidence of a failing world but gives young people a truly positive message about the actions they can take to improve things,’ concludes Ms Gellatley.

A very convincing and professionally made video by Tony Wardle Productions in Brighton.

It is 24 mins and costs £6.99 (VHS PAL version) or £7.99 (NTSC ver-sion, p&p rates) from:

Viva!, 12 Queen Square, Brighton BN1 3FD, England. Tel: 01273 777688.