Fellow Vegans or wanna-Vegans?

1246

Replies

  • veganza
    veganza Posts: 6 Member
    Hi! Looking around for fellow-vegans.

    I've been vegan for just over 5 years! Put on weight during pregnancy eating LOADS of potatoes due to morning sickness, and HEAPS of gourmet raw nut-cakes (yum! hehe). Just decided to take the high-carb/low-fat approach to weight loss, with a heavy emphasis on increasing raw again. As I'm still breastfeeding, calorie restriction is out, so I'm going for heaps of fruit instead, and it's giving me heaps more energy to keep up with my toddler! So my activity level has gone up a bit, too, and the weight is starting to drop. Good stuff. It's probably close to the Skinny B!tch style of program, I guess, with all-fruit breakfasts.

    & for anyone interested: my toddler is vegan, too. She's in the 95th percentile for height, weight, head circumference... My husband is vegan, too! Pretty relaxed, healthy household going on at the moment... Or it would be relaxed, if it wasn't for the very energetic toddler...

    :)
  • veganon50
    veganon50 Posts: 46
    Hi Lifefiend - welcome to the forum!
    Sounds like you have a great vegan thing going on there - glad to have you here - we vegans need to support each other!
    And your baby will be so healthy - growing up vegan - I know from vegan friends how hard it can be to not succumb to the pressure from the food industry and well meaning (but ill informed) people who think cow's milk is essential for health - so well done to you!!

    :flowerforyou:
  • BlueLikeJazz
    BlueLikeJazz Posts: 219 Member
    Hi! Looking around for fellow-vegans.

    I've been vegan for just over 5 years! Put on weight during pregnancy eating LOADS of potatoes due to morning sickness, and HEAPS of gourmet raw nut-cakes (yum! hehe). Just decided to take the high-carb/low-fat approach to weight loss, with a heavy emphasis on increasing raw again. As I'm still breastfeeding, calorie restriction is out, so I'm going for heaps of fruit instead, and it's giving me heaps more energy to keep up with my toddler! So my activity level has gone up a bit, too, and the weight is starting to drop. Good stuff. It's probably close to the Skinny B!tch style of program, I guess, with all-fruit breakfasts.

    & for anyone interested: my toddler is vegan, too. She's in the 95th percentile for height, weight, head circumference... My husband is vegan, too! Pretty relaxed, healthy household going on at the moment... Or it would be relaxed, if it wasn't for the very energetic toddler...

    :)

    I would be so interested to hear more about raising your wee one as a vegan. The more I read and learn about all the problems associated with meat and dairy, the more convinced I am that our future kids will be vegans as well (we don't have any yet, finishing up school first!) I am concerned about the logistics of it, though. Our children will very likely be going to public school and daycare because both my husband and I need to work. I hope we can find a daycare that is supportive of our decision and that our child will just be uninterested in eating processed junk from school once he/she starts there since his/her mommy will be packing delicious lunches made with love!

    People might think I'm crazy or too obsessive thinking about these things way before I even have kids, but weight has been such an intense, draining struggle in my life, one that I'm just starting to reach some peace about since adopting a vegan diet. I really don't want my children to go down the same road and I cringe every time I see parents taking their obese young children into a fast food restaurant. It really makes me sad/upset.

    Regardless of health issues, I'm also very passionate about the animal rights side of veganism and hope that my kids will feel similar compassion for animals. Anyways! Have you faced any challenges raising your toddler as a vegan?
  • veganon50
    veganon50 Posts: 46
    Good for you - not wanting to condemn your child to a lifetime of obesity or dieting - and also to feel compassion for animals - you are doing the right thing thinking about it beforehand - well done!!
    :happy:
  • tashtranquillo
    tashtranquillo Posts: 50
    yay!! vegans and vegetarians ! loooove feeling lighter and more energetic then ever before. However i find myself taking heaps of supplements such as iron, multi-vitamins, b12 and hair and nails to name a few. no idea if thats actually to much or anything!! have no idea if i am missing out on any.

    ANY info would be greatly appreciated!! not many of my friends are vegans/vegos so it's hard to get advice on the matter besides google (thanks internet) :wink:
  • SugarDiva
    SugarDiva Posts: 403 Member
    Your best bet would be talking to your doctor. When I made the switch, I talked to mine about it, mostly because I have epilepsy and I have to make sure any changes I make won't effect my meds or aggravate my condition. He told me the amounts of specific vitamins and such that I should be having and suggested that I start taking a really good multi-vitamin and calcium, but not iron because I eat alot of green leafies. Now that's just me, people differ.
  • ChaosInTheFlesh
    ChaosInTheFlesh Posts: 16
    hello
    wow its amazing to see so many veg heads out there:laugh: anyway i could really use the friendship and encouragement of other vegetarians /vegans feel free to add me :flowerforyou:
  • leavinglasvegas
    leavinglasvegas Posts: 1,495
    I thought this was a cool website to share.

    It gives you some yummy recipes and info on how to get the proper nutrition from your food.

    http://www.pcrm.org/health/powerplate/
  • tashtranquillo
    tashtranquillo Posts: 50
    thanks for replying and yep going to see my doctor tomorrow. something i should have done awhile ago (procrastination) :)
  • tashtranquillo
    tashtranquillo Posts: 50
    I thought this was a cool website to share.

    It gives you some yummy recipes and info on how to get the proper nutrition from your food.

    http://www.pcrm.org/health/powerplate/

    jumped on that website! Very insightful,http://www.pcrm.org/health/recipes/recipe011217.html sounds delicious!!
    thanks for the link!
    P.s love the quote!
  • TheMaidOfAstolat
    TheMaidOfAstolat Posts: 3,222 Member
    yay!! vegans and vegetarians ! loooove feeling lighter and more energetic then ever before. However i find myself taking heaps of supplements such as iron, multi-vitamins, b12 and hair and nails to name a few. no idea if thats actually to much or anything!! have no idea if i am missing out on any.

    ANY info would be greatly appreciated!! not many of my friends are vegans/vegos so it's hard to get advice on the matter besides google (thanks internet) :wink:

    What did your doctor say?
    If you do eat healthfully and properly there is no reason to take a multi or any other supplement except a b-12 if you're vegan...if you're a vegetarian then you schould be getting b-12 from sources such as eggs and dairy. I do take a daily multi just to be on the safe side. It's Raw One for women by Vitamin Code and it's a vegan fromula...so it's veggie capsules...no gelatin.
  • sanura
    sanura Posts: 459 Member
    Hey there! I've been vegan for a few months now and strive to include a lot of raw whole foods too. I like to avoid replacement type foods like veggie burgers and vegan cheese because I find they make me crave the real thing more. at a pot-luck bbq last week I brought marinated portobello mushrooms to put on the grill and most of the non-vegans there just had to try some! I was so glad I brought more than I thought I needed! I'd love to hear other favourite meals from you!
  • dbmom
    dbmom Posts: 16
    I am vegetarian. Just started MFP yesterday. Looking forward to postings in this group.
  • hopela
    hopela Posts: 17
    I'm vegan! hey guys!
  • Scoobees
    Scoobees Posts: 226 Member
    Bumping so I will remember to read this thread later. :smile: Just went vegan a week ago. :drinker:
  • SugarDiva
    SugarDiva Posts: 403 Member
    Hey fellow Veggies! I'm looking for some help. While I'm away at work (on an gas platform) I have a hard time getting enough protein. They don't exactly cater to a veggie lifestyle, so I've been trying to find a decent protein powder to make up the difference. Can any of you suggest any that are tolerable? I've tried Abosulte Vegetarian and it's AWEFUL! The new one I just brought for this trip out is Swiss naturals Soya, and it's almost as bad. Probably wouldn't be so bad if I could bake it into something or in a smoothie but that's not an option. Can you help me?
  • hightopp
    hightopp Posts: 4
    @SugarDiva

    Nutiva Hemp Protein isn't bad. I've had the berry varieties, but haven't branched out to the chocolate. I've heard only good things. I've never baked with my protein powders (what a good idea!), so I can't vouch for them in that regards, but the shakes are pretty tasty.
  • SugarDiva
    SugarDiva Posts: 403 Member
    Thanks!:smile: I will run out and get that as soon as I get home..in another week.. :frown:
  • TheMaidOfAstolat
    TheMaidOfAstolat Posts: 3,222 Member
    Hey fellow Veggies! I'm looking for some help. While I'm away at work (on an gas platform) I have a hard time getting enough protein. They don't exactly cater to a veggie lifestyle, so I've been trying to find a decent protein powder to make up the difference. Can any of you suggest any that are tolerable? I've tried Abosulte Vegetarian and it's AWEFUL! The new one I just brought for this trip out is Swiss naturals Soya, and it's almost as bad. Probably wouldn't be so bad if I could bake it into something or in a smoothie but that's not an option. Can you help me?

    Vega! It is awesome. The likes of Mac Danzig and Robert Cheeke use this formula and so does one of my fave singers Bif Naked. It's a bit pricy but well worth it. Right now I can't afford it and am using a non veg formula. The chocolate is my favorite at the moment...I've tried the berry and it's pretty tasty too.
  • Alleghany
    Alleghany Posts: 200
    Hey fellow Veggies! I'm looking for some help. While I'm away at work (on an gas platform) I have a hard time getting enough protein. They don't exactly cater to a veggie lifestyle, so I've been trying to find a decent protein powder to make up the difference. Can any of you suggest any that are tolerable? I've tried Abosulte Vegetarian and it's AWEFUL! The new one I just brought for this trip out is Swiss naturals Soya, and it's almost as bad. Probably wouldn't be so bad if I could bake it into something or in a smoothie but that's not an option. Can you help me?

    Vega! It is awesome. The likes of Mac Danzig and Robert Cheeke use this formula and so does one of my fave singers Bif Naked. It's a bit pricy but well worth it. Right now I can't afford it and am using a non veg formula. The chocolate is my favorite at the moment...I've tried the berry and it's pretty tasty too.

    I've been using Vega for 1.5 yrs & I like the unflavored kind the best since it seems to take on any flavor of what I mix it with. Since I'm starting to eat more raw, I've been using Amazing Grass brand Amazing Meal (in Pomegranate Mango Infusion) & Green Super Food. They taste great! Hope this helps!
  • st27
    st27 Posts: 101
    I was a vegan for 8 yrs. I am not now but Iam heading back in that direction again. I reading books on raw foods. I will be getting it together soon.
  • SugarDiva
    SugarDiva Posts: 403 Member
    Thanks for all the suggestion guys. :smile: You're awesome! I'm gonna be hitting the store hard :laugh: I'm excited about berry flavors, but then again, after the ones I've tried I'd be excited about dirt flavors :laugh:
  • TheMaidOfAstolat
    TheMaidOfAstolat Posts: 3,222 Member
    Thanks for all the suggestion guys. :smile: You're awesome! I'm gonna be hitting the store hard :laugh: I'm excited about berry flavors, but then again, after the ones I've tried I'd be excited about dirt flavors :laugh:

    LOL. Also, Vega uses stevia and no other sweeteners so it's also much better for you than most other brands.
  • mandaincanada
    mandaincanada Posts: 1 Member
    I've tried Vega both chocolate and berry. I find the berry one more tolerable but I find the pea taste is overwhelming in both flavors :(
  • waterdog82
    waterdog82 Posts: 3 Member
    I've been vegan 6yrs and counting :)
  • rebmcg
    rebmcg Posts: 29
    Hey fellow Veggies! I'm looking for some help. While I'm away at work (on an gas platform) I have a hard time getting enough protein. They don't exactly cater to a veggie lifestyle, so I've been trying to find a decent protein powder to make up the difference. Can any of you suggest any that are tolerable? I've tried Abosulte Vegetarian and it's AWEFUL! The new one I just brought for this trip out is Swiss naturals Soya, and it's almost as bad. Probably wouldn't be so bad if I could bake it into something or in a smoothie but that's not an option. Can you help me?

    I've been using Jay Robb sprouted brown rice protein powder-vanilla. It is available in the health food section of my local Kroger. Mild flavor.
  • chelekaz
    chelekaz Posts: 847 Member
    Hi everyone. I was going to start up a new topic when I saw this one. I have been thinking about the whole going veggie and I will admit. It scared me. Not in a bad way of am I getting what I need but in a I love the food I eat. But, over the past few weeks I have been having issues in a socially conscious sense. That being said. I am looking at changing my eating habits to become a vegetarian. The hard part is that my husband and children will not be following me on this journey. Our kids are 7 and 4 and like everything else, I spoke with them about why I want to change and let them decide for themselves.

    I am going to need as much support in this change as I am in the weight loss goal in general. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make this transition easier? I have not yet made "the switch" only because I need to get some great food / recipe ideas. I LOVE to cook so I can't wait to see new ways I can make veggie food.

    Please feel free to add me!!
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Chel -- I went vegetarian a couple years ago and I don't miss meat AT ALL. I'm not vegan (you'll pry my cheese out of my cold, dead hands!), but vegetarian has been a very easy change for me.
  • SugarDiva
    SugarDiva Posts: 403 Member
    Just wanted to say that I picked up the berry flavored Vega today... and THANK YOU to everyone who recommended it. Oh god this is a million times better than the other crap I was using.:drinker:
  • rebmcg
    rebmcg Posts: 29
    I'm starting the 21 day Vegan Quick Start tomorrow--http://www.pcrm.org/kickstartHome/messages/
    Anyone want to join me?
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