Vegetarian Contestant Compelled To Eat Meat Despite Pledge Not To Harm Living Beings

Reality shows often place contestants in high-pressure environments, testing their physical, mental, and emotional limits. Survivor, one of the most iconic reality shows, is no exception.

Contestants are placed in remote locations where they must fend for themselves, relying on their resourcefulness and endurance to survive. This setting often brings out both the best and the most challenging moments for participants, as they are forced to make difficult choices that sometimes go against their values.

In Survivor 47, viewers witnessed a moment when Kyle Ostwald, a contestant with a strict vegetarian lifestyle, faced a situation that challenged his long-held beliefs. Kyle Ostwald had maintained a vegetarian diet for over seven years, avoiding any food that didn't "grow in the dirt." His decision wasn't just a dietary preference but a commitment to not harm any living creatures with a heartbeat.

However, the intense conditions of Survivor tested that dedication when he found himself in a situation where nourishment became a matter of survival rather than choice. In a deleted scene from episode 2, Ostwald and fellow contestant TK Foster were seen hunting for crabs, a common food source for many contestants.

Initially, Ostwald made it clear that he had no intention of eating the crabs. He was determined to stick to his vegetarian diet, even in the face of scarcity.

But the reality of Survivor quickly set in; with limited food options, his body began to feel the effects of malnutrition. Ultimately, survival instincts took over, and Ostwald decided to eat crab for the first time in over seven years.

As he sat with his teammates, Foster and Gabe Ortis, Ostwald tasted meat for the first time in nearly a decade.

“How’s it taste?” Ortis asked on camera.

“Like I’m doing something wrong,” Ostwald answered.

A reality show star, a vegetarian for nearly a decade, ate meat for the first time in years due to harsh environmental conditions.

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After a long time without meat, Ostwald had to eat some.

The scene captured a poignant moment of internal conflict for the contestant. Even as he chewed it, Ostwald admitted that eating the crab felt wrong.

His comment, "Like I’m doing something wrong," highlighted the emotional weight of the decision. While his teammates reassured him that he was making the right choice for his well-being, it was clear that he did not take the decision lightly.

“Today, I broke down and had a bite of crab,” he said.You Tube

Ostwald’s friends supported him, confirming that he had made the right choice as he struggled with his hunger and his beliefs.

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Ethical Dilemmas in High-Pressure Situations

High-stakes environments, like reality shows, can lead to ethical dilemmas that challenge personal values. Psychologist Dr. David DeSteno notes that stress can impair moral reasoning, pushing individuals to make choices against their beliefs.

This phenomenon underscores the importance of preparing contestants for ethical conflicts that may arise, as they often face extreme pressure to prioritize survival over personal ethics.

The Role of Peer Pressure

Social psychologists emphasize the significant role of peer pressure in decision-making, especially within competitive settings. According to Dr. Susan David, a renowned psychologist and author, "People often find themselves compromising their values to fit in with the group, which can lead to internal conflict." In the context of Survivor, contestants may feel pressured to forsake their ethical beliefs due to group dynamics. Recognizing this phenomenon can equip future contestants with the mental tools necessary to build resilience against peer influence, thereby promoting personal authenticity in challenging situations.

As Ostwald reflected on the situation, he regretted breaking his long-standing commitment to vegetarianism. He shared how difficult it was to come to terms with the choice, stating,

"To go seven-plus into eight years with only eating things that were grown from the earth itself — I haven’t harmed anything with a heartbeat in a long time — I finally felt so low to the point where I was willing to break that dedication that I had to myself."

Despite his internal struggle, Ostwald recognized that his primary motivation was to stay vital for his family back home. He mentioned that he had a fiancée, a one-year-old daughter, and a newborn son waiting for him, and that his survival on the show was partly driven by his desire to provide for them.

The lack of nourishment in his environment pushed him to make an exception.

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The pressure to survive on the island made Ostwald realize that sometimes survival requires breaking personal boundaries.

"If I’m going to continue to provide for my family, and I’m going to have what it takes to go the distance, I’m going to have to do things that I’m not comfortable with," he said.

For him, this experience was not just about the competition but about proving to his loved ones that he could endure hardships and rise to the challenge, even if it meant stepping out of his comfort zone.

Ostwald is renovating his childhood home to create a stable environment for his fiancée, one-year-old daughter, and newborn son.

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The star recalled his challenging upbringing, marked by financial struggles, which motivated him to seize any opportunity to avoid that situation again.

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Experts in nutrition, like Dr. Michael Greger, emphasize that plant-based diets can provide sufficient nutrients for survival. In reality shows, contestants often lack food variety, which can lead to drastic decisions.

Increasing awareness around nutrition and survival strategies could help contestants maintain their dietary commitments. For example, learning about high-protein plant foods and sustainable foraging could empower contestants to make choices aligned with their ethics, even in high-pressure scenarios.

"Kyle Eats Meat for the FIRST Time in Years - Deleted Scene Episode 2 Survivor 47 "

"Kyle Ostwald Survivor"

Kyle Ostwald’s time on Survivor 47 shows how challenging situations can make people face their beliefs and do things they never imagined. His experience highlights that personal choices can become less important than survival when life gets hard.

For Ostwald, being on the show wasn’t just about winning a million dollars but about motivating his family and building a better future for them. As he went through the challenges, his main goal was to make his loved ones proud by doing whatever it took to keep going and provide for them.

Psychological Insights & Implications

This incident raises important questions about ethical integrity within competitive settings. As noted by experts in psychology and nutrition, preparation and awareness are key factors in navigating these dilemmas.

Future contestants might benefit from training in ethical decision-making and nutritional knowledge, allowing them to uphold their values even when faced with dire circumstances. Ultimately, fostering a culture of integrity and support on such platforms can lead to richer experiences and more meaningful narratives.