Here’s What Happened When Below Deck Med’s Captain Sandy Tried to Go Vegan

When Below Deck Mediterranean's Captain Sandy Yawn sat down with The Feast ahead of the Season 4 premiere, we asked her for an update on her diet: A year earlier, Sandy told us she didn't eat much fish — and could even see herself going completely vegan.

Back in 2018, she told us, "I did drive a Sea Shepherd vessel for a little bit," she said, referring to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society marine conservation nonprofit org. "So I’m very conscious about what I eat. And I try not to eat fish, because of the awareness of what’s happening to our planet."

And given her then-recent move to Los Angeles, she told us: "There's a lot of vegan here. I could become a vegan."

So, flash forward a year — and, we wanted to know, how was that all going for Captain Sandy? 

Turns out, these days she eats limited fish — but her idea to go vegan is mostly a thing of the past. "OK, so... vegan I am not," Sandy told The Feast. "I eat fish responsibly that’s on the [sustainable] list."

In the end, veganism just wasn't for Sandy. "Honestly, I try, but I didn’t feel well to be honest. I didn’t have the energy. Some bodies just aren’t cut to go vegan. I tried."

Now, Sandy is seriously dating Denver-based gospel singer Leah Shafer — and even moved from Los Angeles to Denver to be with her new love. Sandy says it's Leah who decides what they eat: "I mean, I’m one of those people [who's laid back about food]," Sandy told The Feast.

"I’m not that person [who has to decide]: As a captain, we constantly make decisions. When I’m with someone else, i don’t want to make a decision. I don’t want to choose," she said.

As well, Leah is gluten intolerant, Sandy explained, and she is happy to accommodate.