Going vegan... need help!

cmonskinnylovee

So I've decided to go vegan, but I'm going to be completely upfront and say I have absolutely NO knowledge on this subject. Can some intelligent vegans and/or intelligent individuals in general give me some tips, tricks, and foods that I might not know aren't vegan?

IronSmasher

Did you pick a lifestyle choice out of a hat? I don't understand.

cmonskinnylovee

Did you pick a lifestyle choice out of a hat? I don't understand.

Oh how quickly people post ignorant comments on the message boards these days! Now I remember why I don't post here.

If you aren't going to be helpful, just leave

I have extreme digestion issues, and this is my final resort to solving it. Feel like a jerk now? you should.

clloy

I'm actually vegetarian, not vegan (though I have tried it a couple of times). If you're looking for a good source on transitioning, recipes, and some motivational info, I'd recommend Dr. Neal Barnard's "21 Day Kickstart," which is about going vegan and has lots of recipes, advice, and a 21 day meal plan. It actually recommends a low-fat vegan lifestyle. You can make your own judgements there. The website is also good.

http://www.21daykickstart.org/

cmonskinnylovee

I'm actually vegetarian, not vegan (though I have tried it a couple of times). If you're looking for a good source on transitioning, recipes, and some motivational info, I'd recommend Dr. Neal Barnard's "21 Day Kickstart," which is about going vegan and has lots of recipes, advice, and a 21 day meal plan. It actually recommends a low-fat vegan lifestyle. You can make your own judgements there. The website is also good.

http://www.21daykickstart.org/

Oh I should probably mention that I am already a vegetarian, I'm not trying to jump from a carnivorous diet to a soley plant-based one.......


Thanks for that! I'll definitely look it up

Eleanorjanethinner

Did you pick a lifestyle choice out of a hat? I don't understand.

Oh how quickly people post ignorant comments on the message boards these days! Now I remember why I don't post here.

If you aren't going to be helpful, just leave

I have extreme digestion issues, and this is my final resort to solving it. Feel like a jerk now? you should.

I wouldn't jump to being offended by this guy, I can see where he's coming from. It sound a bit odd to say "I've decided to do this thing, but I don't actually know anything about it".

Good luck with your digestion!

PS- I share an office with a vegan, but I'm a happy meat-eater so no tips from me, except that she says most bread is vegan. I didn't expect that.

unsuspectingfish

Did you pick a lifestyle choice out of a hat? I don't understand.

Oh how quickly people post ignorant comments on the message boards these days! Now I remember why I don't post here.

If you aren't going to be helpful, just leave

I have extreme digestion issues, and this is my final resort to solving it. Feel like a jerk now? you should.

I think what they were trying to say is: why did you choose veganism (as opposed to, say, vegetarianism)?

Have you talked to a doctor about these digestion issues? They might be able to better pinpoint what foods you should avoid.

As for suggestions: research, research, research. When I decided to give up meat, I spent hours looking around the internet, reading various articles, and looking for book suggestions. Vegan.org seems to be a good place to start. Make sure you look into supplementing things like B-12 and Omega-3s, too, because those are very important to proper functioning and often have to be supplemented if you're not consuming animal products.

Marshmallows and gelatin are the only foods I can think of right now that are not vegan which aren't entirely obvious up front.

cmonskinnylovee

Did you pick a lifestyle choice out of a hat? I don't understand.

Oh how quickly people post ignorant comments on the message boards these days! Now I remember why I don't post here.

If you aren't going to be helpful, just leave

I have extreme digestion issues, and this is my final resort to solving it. Feel like a jerk now? you should.

I think what they were trying to say is: why did you choose veganism (as opposed to, say, vegetarianism)?

Have you talked to a doctor about these digestion issues? They might be able to better pinpoint what foods you should avoid.

As for suggestions: research, research, research. When I decided to give up meat, I spent hours looking around the internet, reading various articles, and looking for book suggestions. Vegan.org seems to be a good place to start. Make sure you look into supplementing things like B-12 and Omega-3s, too, because those are very important to proper functioning and often have to be supplemented if you're not consuming animal products.

Marshmallows and gelatin are the only foods I can think of right now that are not vegan which aren't entirely obvious up front.

I am already a vegetarian.
Yes I've spoken to my doctor...
I've already researched, this was my last resort to find anything that google might not tell me, from actual people instead of generated articles from a search engine.

Thanks for everything though haha

cmonskinnylovee

Did you pick a lifestyle choice out of a hat? I don't understand.

Oh how quickly people post ignorant comments on the message boards these days! Now I remember why I don't post here.

If you aren't going to be helpful, just leave

I have extreme digestion issues, and this is my final resort to solving it. Feel like a jerk now? you should.

I wouldn't jump to being offended by this guy, I can see where he's coming from. It sound a bit odd to say "I've decided to do this thing, but I don't actually know anything about it".

Good luck with your digestion!

PS- I share an office with a vegan, but I'm a happy meat-eater so no tips from me, except that she says most bread is vegan. I didn't expect that.

He obviously meant it to be snarky, that is why I was offended

unsuspectingfish

Did you pick a lifestyle choice out of a hat? I don't understand.

Oh how quickly people post ignorant comments on the message boards these days! Now I remember why I don't post here.

If you aren't going to be helpful, just leave

I have extreme digestion issues, and this is my final resort to solving it. Feel like a jerk now? you should.

I think what they were trying to say is: why did you choose veganism (as opposed to, say, vegetarianism)?

Have you talked to a doctor about these digestion issues? They might be able to better pinpoint what foods you should avoid.

As for suggestions: research, research, research. When I decided to give up meat, I spent hours looking around the internet, reading various articles, and looking for book suggestions. Vegan.org seems to be a good place to start. Make sure you look into supplementing things like B-12 and Omega-3s, too, because those are very important to proper functioning and often have to be supplemented if you're not consuming animal products.

Marshmallows and gelatin are the only foods I can think of right now that are not vegan which aren't entirely obvious up front.

I am already a vegetarian.
Yes I've spoken to my doctor...
I've already researched, this was my last resort to find anything that google might not tell me, from actual people instead of generated articles from a search engine.

Thanks for everything though haha

Ah, OK. Your post kind of sounded like this was your first stop.

Well, beans, nuts, and nut butters are your friends when it comes to getting all your protein. I'm sure that's nothing new, though. Dried apricots are a good source of iron, as well as damn tasty.

I've been delving into vegan baking, lately, and I stumbled upon hellyeahitsvegan.com, which is a vegan recipe blog. I made the pumpkin cupcakes on there, which were DELICIOUS. Even my omnivorous coworkers agreed.

Oh, and I just remembered, cornbread and tortillas are never guaranteed to be vegan. Traditional recipes use lard, which is animal fat. I was looking for a box of cornbread mix at the store the other day and discovered that many of the mixes stick to this tradition. When going for stuff like that, if it's not specifically labeled vegan, make sure you're checking the ingredients twice.

BigDaddyBRC

Raher than defend the 1st responder, how about suport her choice, It matters not what another chooses or for what reasons. We can but only off support with limited information. If you can't then keep quiet...and Bump a topic to get more information.

I wish you the best in your journey to a healthier you. May you find that which is needed. While I am not a vegan, I know the immediate change can be tough as you need to create new habits in choices. You have the strength in mindset. You will succeed.

KLi531

I was a vegan for 3 years and then gave it up. It's not bad at all, but you do need to make sure you're taking supplements, especially your B vitamins. It's difficult because there are so many things you can't eat but you might not be able to tell by just reading the label. A lot of stores will put if a product is vegan on the label now, which is kind of awesome. There are also a ton more substitutions than there were just a few years ago.

This is a little list of the tricky words to avoid...
http://library.thinkquest.org/C004833/avoid_en.shtml

Good luck!!

Jain

I'm switching from veggie to vegan 'cause I noticed that my asthma was worse after eating dairy. So far it's seems to be working for me.
Good luck & I hope it sorts out your health issues.:flowerforyou:

daffodilsoup

I would recommend doing some research on the subject - I am all for going vegan, but it's most likely to "stick" if you try to garner some knowledge beforehand.

The bulk of your diet should be whole, nutritious foods - think fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, beans and legumes. My favorite protein sources are tempeh, tofu, seitan, and lentils (in that order!) There are some great vegan foods available, such as plantburger patties and dairy-free cheese and ice cream, but these should be seen as treats and should not at all be the center of your diet. Be sure to look around some vegan food blogs - www.theppk.com is my favorite site for inspiration.

A lot of vegans will tell you that protein isn't really an issue, but if you are exercising, it is very important to get enough protein - consider adding a vegan protein powder, if you exercise enough to need it. 75% gemma pea and 25% brown rice make a great combination for vegan bodies. Also, don't forget about your calcium! Soymilks, broccoli and leafy greens are all high in calcium.

B12 is harder (but not impossible) for vegans to get, but keep in mind that it is a bacteria, not animal-based nutrient. I take B12 supplements (this is the only supplement I take as a vegan), but you can also get it via nutritional yeast (a delicious parmesan cheese replacement).

As for things to watch out for, etc., PETA has a great list of things that are/are not vegan by category, companies that do/do not test on animals, and other guides. As much as I don't really agree with their tactics, they are a great resource for vegan living.

So glad to see another vegan around! Don't hesitate to ask for help if you are feeling stuck or confused about anything.

speedy001

There is a group here for vegans and you will find some great recipes and tips there. I love the 30 day vegan challenge by colleen patrick goodreau (not sure I have her name spelt correctly. Also she does a great podcast that has a wealth of information as well. Get hold of some recipes and don't be afraid to use some convenience foods to help you get started. Then once you build you recipe collection you will be able to adapt everything you love to vegan. I would also recommend finding a good vegan restaurant so you can go out and enjoy a meal easily. I became vegan a year ago and have lost weight but more importantly have never felt better.

VinVenture

Protein! Get your fair share. Eat a lot of nuts and beans and tofu. And don't use tofu as a meat substitute, enjoy it in its own right, it sucks up about any flavour you want to give it. Mm..

(You'll want at least 1g of protein per 2 lbs body weight, ideally 1g per 1lbs. This applies to non-vegans as well)

daffodilsoup

And don't use tofu as a meat substitute, enjoy it in its own right, it sucks up about any flavour you want to give it. Mm..

I agree with this 100000%! So many people claim not to like tofu, and then say that they are disappointed that it didn't taste like meat. No vegan protein source is going to "fool you" into thinking it's meat - just enjoy it for its own taste and texture. Good call!

shakybabe

"PS- I share an office with a vegan, but I'm a happy meat-eater so no tips from me, except that she says most bread is vegan. I didn't expect that. "


My god daughter is vegetarian and pointed out to her mum the other day that the bread they were using contained fish oils!.. so do check. Think it was the 50/50 bread (UK brand.. just in case you're in the UK! )

snugglesworthjr

Not sure if this is going to help, but here goes anyway. I found that when I first went vegan after being vegetarian, I had to read the ingredients labels of everything. This at first seemed to me to be a huge effort and quite possibly a waste of time, but then I realized that this was actually helping me-- there are tons of terrible additives in processed foods that are nothing but bad for the body. I never realized how many synthetic chemicals were put into our food to make it taste good before going vegan and being forced to read the ingredients labels. Since then, almost everything I eat is cooked by my own hand so I know exactly what's going into my body. I noticed a marked increase in mental clarity and overall feeling after ditching the processed foods.

So now that I've proclaimed the wonders of eating whole foods, I'd like to recommend the cookbook entitled "Veganomicon." I've quite a few cookbooks ranging from vegetarian to vegan to raw food, but this one is definitely my favorite in terms of yumminess, ease of preparation, and recipe layout. Many of my meat-eating friends love the recipes in this book so much they also cook from it regularly

KokomoJoe

How much wheat do you consume? I might try going gluten free first. Unfortunately gluten is in almost everything we consume and I have been doing my best to remove it. Labels have to be read because you will find gluten in ice cream, ketchup, soy sauce.

I was basically vegan for almost a year (I didn't give up my fish) and found it very difficult. Going out for dinners, even going to my parents place always seemed a chore because I didn't "eat right" in their minds. I consumed tons of brown rice, avocado, tomatos and beans. Almost everything I ate I made at home because you never know what any restaurant will put in items. You may also want to read about ph balanced diets and the alkalarian lifestyle by Dr. Robert Young.

As for tofu, to make it meatier if that's what you desire, freeze it then thaw as the texture changes. It still isn't "meat" but does give it a closer texture.

Good luck in your quest.

daffodilsoup

How much wheat do you consume? I might try going gluten free first. Unfortunately gluten is in almost everything we consume and I have been doing my best to remove it. Labels have to be read because you will find gluten in ice cream, ketchup, soy sauce.

Can I ask what the benefit of removing gluten from a vegan diet would be if one [presumably] does not have a gluten intolerance? Gluten can be a really nutritious addition to a vegan diet, such as the use of wheat gluten in seitan dishes.

Enigmatica

I make vegan meals occasionally just because sometimes that's what my body seems to want. I have gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, and sometimes can't digest certain meat proteins. I can usually tell just by smelling or tasting food whether it's going to sit well with my stomach or not, after many years of this. So if I want vegan, that's what I have.

There's a vegan raw protein powder that I usually have with breakfast - its in my diary. Bread usually is not vegan because most use eggs. I make my own vegan cheese out of almond meal - I modified the recipe for almond mozzarella cheese from this site: http:/ /responsibleeatingandliving.com/

They have lots of other vegan recipes and support info there, too.

Good luck!!

ZombeeFingers

http://www.theppk.com/books/veganomicon-the-ultimate-vegan-cookbook/ <-get this book Veganomicon!

It really is the ultimate vegan cook book. With this book you will never have to buy frozen "veggie burgers" or "soy" anything.
I was Vegan for 9 years. I became vegan in high school when I was severally over weight (220lbs in 9th/10th grade). It helped with my digestion too. I lost 40lbs in about a year, and it felt GREAT.

I started eating seafood a little over a year ago, and eggs a few months back, for personal reasons. I still don't do other dairies, or meats.

I say give it a try for sure. If you don't like it or it doesn't help you with what you are looking for you can always stop.

Good luck! If you want a supporter feel free to add me, I'm new here too so I could also use some support.

andrealn

I was vegan for a couple of years, then lacto-ovo vegetarian, and now pretty much a regular omnivore again. Whatever your motivation for becoming vegan, be it ethical or personal health, I will say that it is very doable but with some caveats. First of all, there are many plant-based sources of protein out there, but none are as complete (as far as essential amino acids) as animal protein, so the key is to eat from a variety of sources--beans & legumes, nuts & seeds, whole grains, etc. In addition, you will need to carefully watch your carbohydrate intake, as most of these sources of protein (especially beans and whole grains) also contain significant amounts of carbs. So in other words, if you have vegetarian chili, with beans as your source of protein, you may not want to have bread with it. Soy is the most complete plant-based protein source, with 8 out of 9 amino acids in it, but as with anything, you want to eat it in moderation, as some studies have shown negative effects of eating too much soy. Another nutritional concern with a vegan diet is that it does not give you any vitamin B-12, which is found in animal products and in soil. It is also produced in our own intestines, but not in sufficient quantity. The best way to ingest B-12 supplement is under the tongue, so look for that type of supplement product. The best source of intelligent nutritional information on veganism that I found was the book "Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Plant-Based Diet" by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina.

As far as variety of foods, there are many great vegan cookbooks out there, so I suggest finding one or two and experimenting. But my biggest piece of advice to anyone going vegan or vegetarian is to remember that it requires just as much (if not more) effort to eat a healthy plant-based diet as it does to eat a diet that includes animal products. You still have to watch your intake of fats, carbs and sugars, and preservatives/additives (especially in store-bought processed meat substitutes like seitan, TVP, veggie burgers, etc.).

With that said, good luck!

KokomoJoe

How much wheat do you consume? I might try going gluten free first. Unfortunately gluten is in almost everything we consume and I have been doing my best to remove it. Labels have to be read because you will find gluten in ice cream, ketchup, soy sauce.

Can I ask what the benefit of removing gluten from a vegan diet would be if one [presumably] does not have a gluten intolerance? Gluten can be a really nutritious addition to a vegan diet, such as the use of wheat gluten in seitan dishes.

Most wheat doesn't even resemble wheat after the large companies have gotten their way with it. Wheat (along with corn and others) have been so "genetically enhanced" to increase yield and is used everywhere.

It is things like this that make me wonder about what we truly eat (I'm not a fan of eating science experiments):

Wheat Norin 10 is a semi-dwarf cultivar of wheat, with very large ears, which was bred in the experimental station of Iwate Prefecture, Japan. In 1935, it was registered as a numbered cultivar by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Nōrinshō. Norin 10 grew just two feet tall, instead of the usual four, which made it less prone to wind-caused damage.
Norin 10 provided two very important genes, Rht1 and Rht2, that resulted in reduced-height wheats, thus allowing better nutrient uptake and tillerage (when heavily fertilised with nitrogen, tall varieties grow too high, become top-heavy, and lodge).
Cecil Salmon, biologist and wheat expert on General Douglas MacArthur's team in Japan after 1945 collected 16 varieties of wheat including one called “Norin 10”. Salmon sent the Norin 10 seeds to Orville Vogel. These samples were used in 1952 by Norman Borlaug and collaborators and crossed with Mexican traditional varieties. They obtained the high-output varieties which were tested in India (Lerma Rojo 64 and Sonora 64) during the Green Revolution.
Norin 10 helped developing countries, such as India and Pakistan to increase the productivity of their crops from approximately 60% during the Green Revolution.

blondishandbookish

Coming from a foodie family who eat almost anything and having a vegan sister in law, I would recommend giving your family/ friends some vegan cook books for christmas....as its quite hard to work out what to cook if you invite someone for lunch/dinner.
I should add my SIL is vegan due to hippy parents not dietary needs nor any specific beliefs and is moving towards eating more foods.

However, we tend to cook both meat and vegan dishes for family celebrations so today, we did:
Perfumed leg of lamb
roasted veg with balsamic vinegar
Jerusalem artichokes
Lentil and chestnut loaf topped with cranberries
Rice
Desert was plum crumble with various options - greek yoghurt/cream/ice cream

We have also done porcini mushroom en croute with red wine/ porcini mushroom sauce/ numerous risottos/pasta/curries and are constantly looking at for vegan dishes that look good as well as taste good.

Good cookbooks (not necessarily veggie or vegan but have loads in them) include;
River Cafe (UK)
Madhur Jaffrey - Indian - some are veggie specific/ others have all kinds
Silver Spoon (Italian bible but has loads of veggie stuff)
Rose Elliot - vegan/ veggie specific

NGMama

Good for you for being willing to make a change! I feel so much better and healthier since becoming vegan.

Some of the books I've really enjoyed are The China Study, The Veganist, The Kind Diet and both of Jae Steele's cookbooks. Jae is actually a holistic nutritionist so her books have a lot of information AND loads of recipes. Her recipes are all whole foods with an emphasis on nutrition. I would say if you are buying books, check what the recipes are like. Skinny ***** (in my opinion) is a great book for understanding WHY being vegan is a good choice but I felt like their recipes relied really heavily on soy and processed soy pre-packaged stuff.

My favourite snack is air popped popcorn with Earth Balance buttery spread (soy free) and nutritional yeast. So delish!

Feel free to add me if you want some extra support.

stubsy1968

I'm not vegan but recently found this website and am in LOVE with Katie's recipes:

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do :drinker:

Kathy

quixoticmantis

Speaking as an ex-vegan who became very ill because of poor nutrition, please do a LOT of research. It's easy to be vegan - it takes a little more work to be a HEALTHY vegan

I eat meat now and could never go back, but I applaud your decision - it's a lovely lifestyle IF done correctly. Also remember to listen to your body....if it doesn't agree with veganism, don't feel like you need to stick with it....you're not a horrible person because you eat a hamburger. I hope it helps with your current issues!

daffodilsoup

you're not a horrible person because you eat a hamburger.

The cow would be inclined to disagree

msps1973

I just transitioned to vegan (off and on vegetarian for 18 yrs) in July. Ok, 95% vegan (sushi gets me everytime)! It seems daunting, but if you do your research you will be fine. THe books I read were The Kind Diet, 30 Day Vegan Challenge and Vegan for Dummies. I visit www.ohsheglows.com on a dialy basis for tasty recipes and LOVE Veganomicon- it is my main cookbook.

You do need to supplment B vitamins and omegas. I take a B vit and put chia seeds in my morning smoothie. I thought I was having a problem getting protein, but now that I am on MFP I see that I am not. Which is a huge relief! Don't rely on processed/packged foods. I use them as a convience food rather as my main source of meals. I make almost everything I eat. It really is a great feeling. My body is thanking me (and so are the animals) and is running much better. My hair has never looked healthier. I just fell better overall. I did loose about 7 lbs initially, but have not been working lout like I should. And I have been baking vegan chocolate cookies waaaay too much.



You can add me if you want. I just made the swtich so all the info is still fresh in my noggin'!

:0)