Going Vegan?

RiseAndConverge

Hi, I'm considering going vegan for at least a 30 day self challenge. I would love to hear any tips, recipes, essential foods, experience, etc you have to offer!

kaypat09

Are you already vegetarian?

jesswait

I suggest joining one of the groups on here. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/46-team-vegan

It would be a good idea to pick up some nutritional yeast, chia seeds, nuts, or flax. Almond or coconut milk are a good idea for calcium although many vegetables also contain it. If you do not carefully plan your meals so you are getting enough protein it would be a good idea to take a B12 supplement.

Good recipe sites are;
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/
http://www.theppk.com/
http://www.veganbaking.net/

RiseAndConverge

I've gone vegetarian for extended periods of time. Giving up meat isn't really a problem so much as cheese and yogurt.

AllTehBeers

I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so

gingerveg

Sure why not it's a great thing to do. An excellent cookbook is the Veganomicon. Check out post punk kitchen blog too http://www.theppk.com/ I'm vegetarian but there are plenty of vegans here. Good luck!

toddis

I suggest joining one of the groups on here. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/46-team-vegan

It would be a good idea to pick up some nutritional yeast, chia seeds, nuts, or flax. Almond or coconut milk are a good idea for calcium although many vegetables also contain it. If you do not carefully plan your meals so you are getting enough protein it would be a good idea to take a B12 supplement.

Good recipe sites are;
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/
http://www.theppk.com/
http://www.veganbaking.net/

This and just...

Make sure you cover your nutritional bases.

SarahtheJillianfanatic

Be careful you're getting enough nutrients and whatnot. I think vegetarianism is much healthier, to be honest.

Was veggo for extended periods in the past and despite loving the book VEGAN FREAK, my energy levels and general health took too much of a hit from my brief flirtation with veganism

kirzz92

I was a vegan for a few months this year, I lost some wight, felt really super, but its difficult to eat correctly if you have an on-the-go lifestyle.... I live in South africa where veganism isnt exactly popular and soya cheeses etc are hard to come by. I ended up living off things like jam on toast and 2 min noodles, i ended up getting very weak and tired...
Its a great thing to do provided you ensure you get all your nutrients... dont do what i did.
Good luck!

Bentley2718

I'd strongly recommend reading at least sections of Vegan For Life, it's an excellent book. While it's unlikely that you'd run into any major nutritional issues in a month, it's still good to know about vegan nutrition before you start. Other than that, the websites Peas and Thank You, the Post Punk Kitchen, and Oh She Glows all have excellent recipes.

Bentley2718

I was a vegan for a few months this year, I lost some wight, felt really super, but its difficult to eat correctly if you have an on-the-go lifestyle.... I live in South africa where veganism isnt exactly popular and soya cheeses etc are hard to come by. I ended up living off things like jam on toast and 2 min noodles, i ended up getting very weak and tired...
Its a great thing to do provided you ensure you get all your nutrients... dont do what i did.
Good luck!

You were tried and not feeling well because you were eating poorly, not because you were eating a vegan diet. You don't need thinks like soy cheese to eat a nutritious, healthy, filling vegan diet. The most important foods are vegetables, grains, and beans (especially beans) which are available most places.

cubsgirlinny

good luck

kirzz92

Thats the conclusion I was making???????????

Bentley2718

I suggest joining one of the groups on here. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/46-team-vegan

It would be a good idea to pick up some nutritional yeast, chia seeds, nuts, or flax. Almond or coconut milk are a good idea for calcium although many vegetables also contain it. If you do not carefully plan your meals so you are getting enough protein it would be a good idea to take a B12 supplement.

Good recipe sites are;
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/
http://www.theppk.com/
http://www.veganbaking.net/

B12 and protein are completely different issues. It is easy to get enough protein on a vegan diet, without strict meal planning. On the other hand, there are no reliable vegan sources of B12, so a synthetic B12 supplement is strongly recommended (this is per the book Vegan For Life written by a vegan RD).Your body recycles B12 and it is unlikely this would become an issue over a single month, that said, B12 deficiency is very dangerous, so I'd recommend either a B12 supplement specifically, or a good vegan multivitamin.

Bentley2718

Thats the conclusion I was making???????????

Yes, but my point was the essentials of a vegan diet are not pre-packaged foods like soy cheese, they are very basic things that most people in the first world will find readily available (vegetables, grains, and beans).

now_or_never12

Do your research. Becoming a total vegan is tough. Hard core vegans won't use certain products like shampoo and lotion because it contains animal products.

As a vegan you can't eat things you would think would be ok. Jello for example isn't vegan. Cheese, milk, eggs are a given however a lot of packaged things contain those ingredients as well. A lot of vitamins and suppliements aren't vegan. A lot of beauty products aren't vegan. I have a friend who is a hard core vegan and won't eat, drink or use anything on her skin that contains anything from an animal. It can be a tough lifestyle.

Do your research! It can be tough to get all the nutrients you need when going vegan. I am vegetarian and have been since June and still find myself researching it to find out how to ensure I am getting all nutrients needed.

There are a lot of things out there these days which helps!