Veggies rule the day at Naperville's Veggie Fest

Some do it for the animals. Some do it for themselves. But regardless of their reasons, many Veggie Fest attendees said a vegetarian diet makes them feel better, physically and emotionally.

Thousands of people packed the grounds of the Science of Spirituality Meditation Center, on the corner of Naperville and Warrenville roads Saturday for the first day of the fifth annual Veggie Fest.

"For me, I believe that our bodies need only the most natural, green food sources," said Pramodh Sing of Wood Dale after a raw vegetable demonstration. "I believe that my meal, consisting of fruits and greens will leave me feeling better and more energetic after lunch than the guy in the next office eating a fast food burger."

Billed as a celebration of the vegetarian diet, the fest has more than 100 vendors serving meals, light snacks and fruit smoothies. Several international cooking demonstrations also are ongoing including Indian, Mexican, Italian and Mediterranean food.

The Italian demonstration specifically caught the attention of West Chicago resident Sara Hinckley, who is attempting to gradually make the switch from carnivore to vegetarian.

"I guess it makes sense that Italian food can be vegetarian but I'll miss meat sauce," she said. "I'm attempting to go vegetarian with my roommate but I was afraid that I'd be missing out on flavors but apparently not."

The fest, which continues from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, also includes physicians and scientists from throughout the country speaking to the research they've done that points to the healing powers of vegetables.

For a full schedule of events or for more information, visit veggiefestchicago.com.