I giving up vegan diet

KaleDOG

I've been vegan for two years now, more and more I only eat carbohydrates in my diet and I feel like going back to a regular balanced diet. It's hard for me to think about eating meat again, but I need lots of protein and nutrients, and this week I went on a trail and I got winded halfway up almost passed out on the top!. My energy is at an all time low and my weight is rising which is not like me at all..

I feel like I lost myself by being vegan

clynnrychly

There are plenty of ways to get the protein and nutrients you need without meat. I have been vegetarian (though not vegan) for many years without any adverse effects on my health. There are vitamins that can help supplement your protein, iron and B-12 intake.

Vegetarian foods that are high in protein can include tofu, beans, quinoa, nuts (and if you're willing to divert away from a vegan diet but still want to stay away from meat, cheese and eggs are also high in protein)

Many of those same foods are also high in iron. Iron can also be found in your greens such as spinach, kale, chard, brocolli, etc.

The reason you're feeling faint is because you've likely become anemic from a lack of these nutrients in your diet. By changing your diet and even by seeking medical advise and having a health professional recommend a regimen of supplements, you can both be healthy and continue to maintain a vegan or vegetarian diet.

JossFit

If you don't feel well, there is no need to adhere to a diet like that. Having low energy is certainly a red flag...

Don't beat yourself up over it. Eat what makes you feel good!

numinousnymph

for these past two years, what has your diet been composed of? you can become faint/weak not just because of lack of protein. as clynnrychly said, deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can have similar effects. so, if you were more of a "junk food" vegan and getting most of your calories from more processed, pre-prepared, mostly carb- and sugar-laden foods, you could still become deficient in nutrients -- and definitely gain weight. you can correct your diet by balancing it again by not eating so many carbs, especially carbs like chips, bread, pasta/noodles, and white rice. eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and getting carbs from legumes and whole grains are a MUCH better alternative. i know it's very easy to gravitate towards mostly non nutrient-dense carbs because they're yummy and addicting in my case lol. protein can be corrected by having more legumes, tofu/soy, quinoa, and nuts. i also use Garden of Life raw vegan protein powder. 17g of protein for 90 calories and 7g carbs. i also take MegaFood's vegan daily vitamins. you don't necessarily have to go back to eating meat and/or eggs & dairy, just re-assessing your diet. however, it's your body and it's completely up to you. good luck!

RodaRose

What were you eating on this vegan diet?
Did you to remember to eat beans, lentils, nuts, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, and various nuts? Also fats and oils?

KaleDOG

mainly eat pasta, bread, mock meats, not very much vegetables, rice & beans, hemp oil, cashews

I found that this diet is not for me anymore, everything is just bland now

I really want to see some muscle gains I'm fat with very little muscle, I take a serving of sun warrior protein blend for weights.

I want to balance things out after 2 years vegan

NancySkier

If you are looking for a good plant based protein, try NitroFusion. I switched from animal based protein powders over 3 years ago. NitroFusion is one of the best ones for the money. A lot of people drink Vega but its too expensive for me.

RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle

I hope you feel better soon OP. Protein is important. You may have missed out on some other nutrients and vitamins also.

rml_16

I've been vegan for two years now, more and more I only eat carbohydrates in my diet and I feel like going back to a regular balanced diet. It's hard for me to think about eating meat again, but I need lots of protein and nutrients, and this week I went on a trail and I got winded halfway up almost passed out on the top!. My energy is at an all time low and my weight is rising which is not like me at all..

I feel like I lost myself by being vegan

If you don't want to stop being vegan, do some research and do it the right way. You're clearly just winging it and not putting any effort into it.

If you want to have it a little easier without eating actual meat, add eggs and dairy back in and be vegetarian.

Or just go back to eating meat if you want to.

Cryptonomnomicon

http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/articles/plant-food-protein-chart.pdf

http://www.22daysnutrition.com/blog/2013/05/01/15-vegan-sources-of-protein-soy-free-and-gluten-free-too/

As mentioned a vitamin B supplement and possibly D is recommended, I would also suggest protein shakes as there are plenty of vegan options.

Make sure you are also not neglecting your fats.

No matter your dietary preference you have to pay attention to your macro/micro nutrients

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

Wenchiness

Welcome to bacon. Mmmm bacon

thefatveganchef

vrg.org/nutrition is a good site as well. Too many people go veg*n without research and end up not getting the proper nutrition that they need. Do some research and change the way you are eating. It can be done. I have been vegan for 20+ years.

meridianova

i find it kinda funny that there's a "going vegan, need help" thread a few posts up from "giving up a vegan diet".

Liftng4Lis

Wow, I'm all about the meat.

Kalikel

You can get proteins eating a vegan diet. You just have to be careful and make sure you do it.

But if you don't want to be a vegan, then of course you should stop!

I'd hate giving up meat. Giving up red meat was the hardest thing - much harder than cake and pie. If I could, I think I'd exist entirely on meat, lol.

I feel for the vegans, though. They get a lot of flak and most are not the preachy, in-your-face type. They're just doing their thing.

Go vegans! (Not joining, but will cheerlead, lol.)

KaleDOG

thank you all for the encouragement, I will take tiny steps out of the diet

I went vegan simply because we moved to a big city and I wanted to try it, but now I know.

purplishblue

That's fine that you want to eat differently, but honestly.... it bothers me when people use the "I can't get enough protein" excuse for stopping being vegan/vegetarian. You totally can, you're choosing not to. Which is fine, but it then feeds the stereotype that vegans/vegetarians can't get protein. Just say you want to eat meat again!

Meerataila

That's fine that you want to eat differently, but honestly.... it bothers me when people use the "I can't get enough protein" excuse for stopping being vegan/vegetarian. You totally can, you're choosing not to. Which is fine, but it then feeds the stereotype that vegans/vegetarians can't get protein. Just say you want to eat meat again!

Indeed. I can get enough protein even on days when I eat far less calories than your average male needs, particularly an active male who hikes.

I think somewhere OP said it was bland. And another post shows he was trying on a whim it but is over it. And that is fine, I'm not judging. What you eat is entirely between you and your own ethics. But damn it, if you're just tired of eating vegan and don't like to incorporate a lot of veggies in your diet anyway, please just say so. You don't have to defend your decision to anyone except yourself but don't spread misinformation.

MSeel1984

The only reason I see to adhere to a vegan diet is because of religious reasons or reasons of conscience (guilt about using animal products, etc).

Animal meat and animal products provide a lot of nutrients and energy...and it is more difficult to get adequate protein without any animal products whatsoever.

mockchoc

I spent half my life wishing to be vegetarian or vegan. I'm now glad I didn't. No need for it. Good luck and be well.

SanteMulberry

I've been vegan for two years now, more and more I only eat carbohydrates in my diet and I feel like going back to a regular balanced diet. It's hard for me to think about eating meat again, but I need lots of protein and nutrients, and this week I went on a trail and I got winded halfway up almost passed out on the top!. My energy is at an all time low and my weight is rising which is not like me at all..

I feel like I lost myself by being vegan

You don't need to eat meat. Half the world's cuisines are ovo-lacto-piscatory vegetarian. It is a very healthy diet as long as food is plentiful. There are no traditional cuisines that are strictly vegan. It is possible to be healthy on a vegan diet but the foods must be carefully planned out.

ruthie3110

mainly eat pasta, bread, mock meats, not very much vegetables, rice & beans, hemp oil, cashews

I found that this diet is not for me anymore, everything is just bland now

I really want to see some muscle gains I'm fat with very little muscle, I take a serving of sun warrior protein blend for weights.

I want to balance things out after 2 years vegan

There is your issue then.
You need to eat whole grains, wholemeal pasta and bread not white junk. Mock meats are a great source of protein so if you're eating a lot of them you're definitely not protein deficient.
You need to eat a wide variety of vegetables, and rice and beans doesn't have to be bland and boring!
Try a chickpea and spinach curry with brown rice, or basmati if you don't like brown rice.

The only reason I see to adhere to a vegan diet is because of religious reasons or reasons of conscience (guilt about using animal products, etc).

Animal meat and animal products provide a lot of nutrients and energy...and it is more difficult to get adequate protein without any animal products whatsoever.

No it's really not. There are many great sources of protein that aren't animal derived. Anyone should be eating a well planned and balanced diet whether vegan or not. With not even careful planning it's easy to eat enough protein on a vegan diet. OP is eating mock meats, these have almost as much protein as meat. A sweet potato and bean curry with rice is over 20g of protein a serving, and the daily recommended amount is only roughly 40-50g depending on person and exercise levels.

nicailyzee

That's fine that you want to eat differently, but honestly.... it bothers me when people use the "I can't get enough protein" excuse for stopping being vegan/vegetarian. You totally can, you're choosing not to. Which is fine, but it then feeds the stereotype that vegans/vegetarians can't get protein. Just say you want to eat meat again!

Indeed. I can get enough protein even on days when I eat far less calories than your average male needs, particularly an active male who hikes.

I think somewhere OP said it was bland. And another post shows he was trying on a whim it but is over it. And that is fine, I'm not judging. What you eat is entirely between you and your own ethics. But damn it, if you're just tired of eating vegan and don't like to incorporate a lot of veggies in your diet anyway, please just say so. You don't have to defend your decision to anyone except yourself but don't spread misinformation.

I feel that he is saying this does not work for him. This is his truth it does not need to be offensive to anyone if he cannot get enough protein everyone and their body is different. Some may be able to get the protein they need being vegan and some may not it is his truth your truth is yours and he has a right to state his opinion. As he clearly stated in his post I.

_Zardoz_

I've been vegan for two years now, more and more I only eat carbohydrates in my diet and I feel like going back to a regular balanced diet. It's hard for me to think about eating meat again, but I need lots of protein and nutrients, and this week I went on a trail and I got winded halfway up almost passed out on the top!. My energy is at an all time low and my weight is rising which is not like me at all..

I feel like I lost myself by being vegan

I've been a Vegan for 15 years never had any problems getting protein or a balanced diet. In fact it's pretty difficult not to get enough protein. If you want to stop being a Vegan that's your choice but don't blame the diet there is no reason why a Vegan diet is not balanced other than your own choices. It's pretty easy in reality to have a balanced Vegan diet it's your choice to make it difficult

cincysweetheart

Then go for it. If you find it's not for you… then go for it… switch up your diet. There are plenty of ways to eat healthy and lose weight. No need to stick to a diet that you aren't happy with. Find one that fits your lifestyle, your food preferences, your personality and even morals, and one that you feel like you can stick with long term.

KaleDOG

Funny thing is 2 years as a vegan made me learn so many new things to cook at home, I had a small bowl of honey bunches of oats felt great weirdly, will go try vegetable omelette tomorrow when we get eggs.

KaleDOG

OP, you look like you need a bit of meat on your bones. Seriously.

And you're getting winded and almost fainting in response to some hiking at the age of 21?

If ethical reasons don't hinder you and you're serious about eating animal protein again, then:

1) Go with a foot long meatball sub.

2) Every day.

3) For a year.

4) And enjoy the feel and the look of being a healthy, strong early 20 something year old man again. :drinker:

I've always struggled with putting on muscle my entire life, I am putting lots of effort into it more than ever now!
I have a small stomach so I wouldn't be able to cram a foot long sub

__freckles__

OP, you look like you need a bit of meat on your bones. Seriously.

And you're getting winded and almost fainting in response to some hiking at the age of 21?

If ethical reasons don't hinder you and you're serious about eating animal protein again, then:

1) Go with a foot long meatball sub.

2) Every day.

3) For a year.

4) And enjoy the feel and the look of being a healthy, strong early 20 something year old man again. :drinker:

I've always struggled with putting on muscle my entire life, I am putting lots of effort into it more than ever now!
I have a small stomach so I wouldn't be able to cram a foot long sub

Sounds like you need to stretch out your stomach then. The only way you're going to build some muscle is to eat a calorie surplus and lift the *kitten* out of everything.

Eat up my friend. Whether it's vegan, paleo, vegetarian, regular food, whatever. But you need to get your protein in some way or another.

Numberwang22

If you do go back to eating meat you might want to build it up slowly... I was veggie for 10 years then gave up when free range came more easily available (& met my husband). I couldn't be doing with cooking separate meals, but as soon as started eating meat got bad stomach pains.

Thankfully it went away but stomach was rebelling for a good few weeks!

I'm always on the verge of going back but love chicken and ham!!