Going vegan

sarahhhrene

So, I have made the decision to go vegan. What're some good brands to look for? Any tips?

neanderthin

The brands without nutritional information attached to them is a good start.

martyqueen52

The lawn

Aemely

I'm sorry you have to give up meat... But, if you're firmly convicted, read lots of information from trusted sources about how you can get in proteins or ... better yet ... become vegetarian instead and allow yourself to eat dairy from sources that treat the animals well. Cheese is awesome!

Also, join some sort of online community to share tips and tricks.

Vegans might have better online resources, but here are 2 that look semi-legit.

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20718479,00.html

http://www.nomeatathlete.com/where-vegetarians-get-protein/

JCN80

Eat mostly unprocessed fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. You will need a B12 supplement and possibly a DHA/Omega3 supplement. I like books by Joel Fuhrman.

OceansForever

I felt it was easiest to get vegan cook books. Most of them have sections in them about nutrition. This is the most important part about any healthy life style is to eat the right things. Just had that talk with my mom because she had read that it is easy to lose weight with plant based food.
I learned a lot while reading the "Get Healthy, Go Vegan" cookbook by Dr. Neil Barnard.
Lots of tips and information in there. I went from there to buy lots of other cookbooks. Also check out Happy Herbivore cookbooks.

I never found many healthy food option with brands or ready made but did buy soups and frozen dinners for emergencies: Amy's brand was good but always read the labels and use those only for the odd occasion since they do contain lots of sodium.

Big help is to double or triple each recipe and freeze each serving individual so you would have "fast food" quickly available.

Sorry not the answer you wanted but may giving you some ideas.

Good luck!

JCN80

Yes, there are many good cookbooks. I love anything by Robin Robertson, especially "Fire and Spice" and her slow cooker book. There are lots good recipes on fatfreevegan.com.

emirandah

eat whole foods

neanderthin wrote: »

The brands without nutritional information attached to them is a good start.

^This^

Or, if you don't want to cook from scratch, here are some good ones:
- Harmony House
- Harmony Valley
- Boca - check label, some products are vegetarian
- Kashi - check label, some products are vegetarian
- Premium Chocolatiers
- Justin's Nut Butters
- Follow Your Heart
- Silk
- Rice/Almond/Coconut Dream
- Morningstar Farms - check label, some products are vegetarian
- Back to Nature - check label, some products are vegetarian
- Lightlife - check label, some products are vegetarian
- Newman's Own - check label, some products are vegetarian

Also check out foodfightgrocery.com, pangeaveganstore.com, and veganessentials.com.

Also check out happycow.com for a good vegan/vegetarian restaurant locator.

emirandah

Oh, and my personal favorite - Amy's. Their products are about half vegan, half vegetarian, but everything is good. Try the dairy-free mac n cheese; freakin amazing!

ceiaiye

I think the greatest thing about going vegan (and I'm not fully there yet) is how it opens your eyes to try other things. I started cooking primarily vegan a couple of years and it's actually been fun. Now when I look at recipes, I'm amazed at how much cheese is called for - you don't actually get to taste the flavors of the food! You just taste cheese (and I love cheese)! But you might be surprised at how amazing some foods can actually be when prepared right.
Personally, I think most people will have the highest chance of success if they approach this in phases. It's a difficult thing to adjust to when our culture doesn't support it or value it. Try going to a few restaurants and tasting what they make. If you have a Whole Foods, try their deli or buffet as they usually have several options.
Now if you are going to cook, this site has a "recipe" picker which you might find helpful: http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/recipe-search/
Pinterest is a great resource for finding recipes. I use it constantly to find stuff that looks good.
And if you want some good old burger alternatives, but don't want to make them:
Sunshine Burgers are great alternatives: http://www.sunshineburger.com/
Load them up with your favorite fixings and you are off to a good start. They won't taste EXACTLY like a regular burger the first time you try them, but with time, you won't miss it. If you like seafood, try Sophie's Kitchen: https://www.facebook.com/Sophies.Kitchen.vegan.products

neanderthin

ceiaiye wrote: »

I think the greatest thing about going vegan (and I'm not fully there yet) is how it opens your eyes to try other things. I started cooking primarily vegan a couple of years and it's actually been fun. Now when I look at recipes, I'm amazed at how much cheese is called for - you don't actually get to taste the flavors of the food! You just taste cheese (and I love cheese)! But you might be surprised at how amazing some foods can actually be when prepared right.
Personally, I think most people will have the highest chance of success if they approach this in phases. It's a difficult thing to adjust to when our culture doesn't support it or value it. Try going to a few restaurants and tasting what they make. If you have a Whole Foods, try their deli or buffet as they usually have several options.
Now if you are going to cook, this site has a "recipe" picker which you might find helpful: http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/recipe-search/
Pinterest is a great resource for finding recipes. I use it constantly to find stuff that looks good.
And if you want some good old burger alternatives, but don't want to make them:
Sunshine Burgers are great alternatives: http://www.sunshineburger.com/
Load them up with your favorite fixings and you are off to a good start. They won't taste EXACTLY like a regular burger the first time you try them, but with time, you won't miss it. If you like seafood, try Sophie's Kitchen: https://www.facebook.com/Sophies.Kitchen.vegan.products

LOL at cheese ruining the taste of food because it's not prepared right. Quite the mindset some vegans have, or must have I guess.

jennifershoo

Why are you going vegan? I hope it's not for weight loss, because you can be vegan and fat if you eat more calories than you burn.

Holly_Roman_Empire

neanderthin wrote: »

The brands without nutritional information attached to them is a good start.

Probably this.

her4g63

I make most things from scratch and then triple the recipe so I can freeze the rest for quick meals when I need them. I find 99% of my meals from pinterest (I'm a total addict, whatever).

emirandah posted some good brands to look for and be sure to check the labels. Amy's has always been a favorite of mine.

Good luck! (:

jkwolly

martyqueen52 wrote: »

The lawn

Not if covered in dog pee/poop.

judymata

Make sure you cover your protein. Tofu is good, or black bean burgers or veggie burgers.

Laurend224

neanderthin wrote: »

The brands without nutritional information attached to them is a good start.

This. And Gardein, because it's really tasty. I also like Boca, some Lightlife. And I've really been getting into homemade seitan lately. Great protein source.

Dried beans, lentils etc. are your friends.
Nutritional yeast is awesome.
All the veggies, all the fruits.

Repeat.

PRMinx

neanderthin wrote: »

ceiaiye wrote: »

I think the greatest thing about going vegan (and I'm not fully there yet) is how it opens your eyes to try other things. I started cooking primarily vegan a couple of years and it's actually been fun. Now when I look at recipes, I'm amazed at how much cheese is called for - you don't actually get to taste the flavors of the food! You just taste cheese (and I love cheese)! But you might be surprised at how amazing some foods can actually be when prepared right.
Personally, I think most people will have the highest chance of success if they approach this in phases. It's a difficult thing to adjust to when our culture doesn't support it or value it. Try going to a few restaurants and tasting what they make. If you have a Whole Foods, try their deli or buffet as they usually have several options.
Now if you are going to cook, this site has a "recipe" picker which you might find helpful: http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/recipe-search/
Pinterest is a great resource for finding recipes. I use it constantly to find stuff that looks good.
And if you want some good old burger alternatives, but don't want to make them:
Sunshine Burgers are great alternatives: http://www.sunshineburger.com/
Load them up with your favorite fixings and you are off to a good start. They won't taste EXACTLY like a regular burger the first time you try them, but with time, you won't miss it. If you like seafood, try Sophie's Kitchen: https://www.facebook.com/Sophies.Kitchen.vegan.products

LOL at cheese ruining the taste of food because it's not prepared right. Quite the mindset some vegans have, or must have I guess.

Showcase_Brodown

Any specific reason you are going vegan? Is it a moral thing?

Laurend224

neanderthin wrote: »

ceiaiye wrote: »

I think the greatest thing about going vegan (and I'm not fully there yet) is how it opens your eyes to try other things. I started cooking primarily vegan a couple of years and it's actually been fun. Now when I look at recipes, I'm amazed at how much cheese is called for - you don't actually get to taste the flavors of the food! You just taste cheese (and I love cheese)! But you might be surprised at how amazing some foods can actually be when prepared right.
Personally, I think most people will have the highest chance of success if they approach this in phases. It's a difficult thing to adjust to when our culture doesn't support it or value it. Try going to a few restaurants and tasting what they make. If you have a Whole Foods, try their deli or buffet as they usually have several options.
Now if you are going to cook, this site has a "recipe" picker which you might find helpful: http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/recipe-search/
Pinterest is a great resource for finding recipes. I use it constantly to find stuff that looks good.
And if you want some good old burger alternatives, but don't want to make them:
Sunshine Burgers are great alternatives: http://www.sunshineburger.com/
Load them up with your favorite fixings and you are off to a good start. They won't taste EXACTLY like a regular burger the first time you try them, but with time, you won't miss it. If you like seafood, try Sophie's Kitchen: https://www.facebook.com/Sophies.Kitchen.vegan.products

LOL at cheese ruining the taste of food because it's not prepared right. Quite the mindset some vegans have, or must have I guess.

There is no good vegan replacement for cheese, at least cheese that has the taste and texture of cheese. Daiya comes close, and its still far off the mark. I think, I can't quite remember what cheese tastes like.

ashes1017

You can be vegan and be healthy! There are a lot of athletes, body builders etc on plant based diets. You have to read every label on things you buy at the store. Lots of fruits, veggies, beans, lentils on a daily basis. I like to eat quinoa a lot. It's a grain that absorbs the flavor of what it's cooked in. I'm not a fan on tofu.. it's a texture issue for me! Best advice I could give you is to not give up! It gets easier with time!

tonyrocks922

Laurend224 wrote: »

I can't quite remember what cheese tastes like.

This makes me really, really sad.

Laurend224

tonyrocks922 wrote: »

Laurend224 wrote: »

I can't quite remember what cheese tastes like.

This makes me really, really sad.

I'm sorry? I had issues with dairy long before I became vegan. No need to be sad.

LaineyVAhimsa

I'm vegan, been vegan for bout 6 and a half months, initially I lost weight, then I started not eating so healthy ( you can be a fat vegan ) lol. I love being vegan, but you need to do some research and understand a little about nutrition to do it healthily. B12 is a big issue, well non vegans make it bigger than need be but nvm. Nutritional yeast with added b12 is good and yeast extract. Also most dairy milk alternatives have b12 added to them. If you want to lose weight by going vegan then I strongly suggest eating whole foods and limit processed stuff. Lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains and pulses. Don't go mad on nuts but do have some good luck, I hope you enjoy being vegan and become more deeply involved. Veganism is about a lot more than diet

lngbrd

I'm supposed to be working towards a more vegan diet ( my Dr. told me to shoot for 90%). I've started and gave up a handful of times. I do like some tofu but haven't tried to prepare it myself yet.

LaarainNYC

Legumes are great for protein. If you get used to cooking them yourself you'll save a small fortune. Ditto recommendation of Joel Fuhrman. I also like Christina Pirello's cookbooks; My Crazy Vegan Life is my favorite.

Btw, Pirello warns against relying on nutritional yeast for B12; she developed a dangerous deficiency. If you're a strict vegan you really need a B12 supplement.

Aemely

Not a vegan, but I do like a good veggie burger. I can't find these locally, but I love these Bahama Rice burgers in the jerk flavor! I just thought I would share.



http://www.bahamariceburger.com