She changed diet for her skin

When Ms Jaslyn Goh embarked on a vegan diet to improve her skin condition last year, it took her about a month to cut salmon and eggs from her meals. The transition, said the 21-year-old online business owner, was difficult as they were her comfort foods.

But she controlled her cravings, believing that diet change would improve her cystic acne condition that dotted her entire face with inflamed, pus-filled pimples.

Her skin has since cleared up, although some scarring remains. These days, her taste buds have also changed and lean towards vegetables and fruits that she used to dislike, such as eggplant, capsicums and avocados.

“Now when I dine out with my family at a Japanese restaurant, they can dangle a piece of salmon in front of me and I won’t even crave it,” she said. Apart from her dietary preferences, turning vegan has also changed her perspective on life. Instead of focusing on the paper chase like most of her peers, the polytechnic graduate plunged all her savings of “several thousand dollars” into starting Souley Green in May this year.

The online store focuses on vegan, eco-friendly food and lifestyle products, most of which are sourced from local companies. “Diet is just one aspect of veganism. It has made me think twice about how I want to live my life, which was why I decided to start a plant-based, cruelty-free marketplace. I feel a lot happier and lighter now than when I was eating meat,” she said. EVELINE GAN