Going Vegan?

lmcgrad

Has anyone seen major differences after going vegan? Like fat loss? I am considering it, because my college for some reason never has just chicken. It's always crispy crap that is no good for anyone!

neanderthin

That's a very popular reason, good for you, more meat for me. j/k

Enigmatica

It depends on your food choices beyond merely vegan. I've known some very overweight vegans! You still have to keep calories under control and may find it harder to keep a good balance between carbs and proteins. I had no trouble at all getting lots of healthy fats on a vegan diet and even managed to keep protein level in the same range as when I eat meat. But I found it quite expensive!

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

At the very least it will make you more aware of what you eat which can help you lose weight. I went vegetarian when I was 7 and I went full vegan pretty recently. I do it on and off but I'm really trying to stick to it now.

ironanimal

You're going vegan (one of the hardest to abide by and most restrictive diets you can follow) because your college serves crispy chicken?

Dafuq did I just read.

Do some serious research and consider your current motive is perhaps a little bit silly.

Easywider

That would be quite the radical adjustment...but with the right attitude and discipline you'll manage. I would choose a larger motivator aside from the limited campus dining hall features...but to each his own.

veggiesaurus15

I switched from a junk food vegetarian diet to a low-fat, plant-based vegan diet and subsequently lost 80 pounds. Eat as many whole fruits and vegetables as you want.

Whimzeee

Saving -

777Gemma888

Has anyone seen major differences after going vegan? Like fat loss? I am considering it, because my college for some reason never has just chicken. It's always crispy crap that is no good for anyone!

Not me. I was a vegan/raw vegan and plateaued for the whole month of October. I alternated to include meats in my diet and as a consequence lost a lot of my weight. Meat works for me. Maybe veggies and fruits will work for you.

jennifershoo

That's a ridiculous reason to become vegan!!!!!! *double facepalm*

psuLemon

Vegan will not make you lose more fat. And if you do not really work hard to get protein, then you will lose more lean body mass. But if all things such as macros and calories are the same, then you will not lose any more fat or weight going vegan or paleo or vegfie or whatever.

lookpretty

I lose weight quickly vegan but when I am I also don't allow myself carb based foods like rice, pasta, bread, so it forces me to eat fruits vegetables beans and nuts

brooklynjean93

I'm practically vegan because I'm a full time vegetarian, and hardly ever eat dairy because I'm lactose and tolerant... some advantages that I found when I switched into a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle (my other vegan friends have experienced this as well):
Some weight loss (if you continue to watch what you eat and how much of it)
Felt a lot better, get sick a lot less
Feel lighter, not as heavy and tired all the time
As well as other not as important/apparent things (acne vanishing, getting out of trying nasty meat meals my family makes, etc).
Just be careful and slowly work your way back into meats if you do switch back! I have a friend who was vegetarian for several years, and the day she tried to go back to meat it made her really really really sick. You have to gradually make the switch back! But I totally commend you if you do decide to go the vegetarian/vegan way! I love it, and haven't missed meat nearly as badly as I thought I would! Good luck!

Dave198lbs

it could be crispy cow meat or crispy creme donuts all that matters for weight loss is total amount of calories

glitteredgrave

I've been vegan for about a year, vegetarian for 5 years. I lost some weight at first, which was awesome. But it depends, you can be a junk food vegan and remain chubby. My skin cleared up, and that's my favorite part. I don't have to wear makeup at all anymore (unless I want eyeliner or whatever). I can run for longer, I don't get tired as quickly. My blood pressure is lower, my bloodwork is awesome (according to the doctor, I don't know what to look for when I read those papers). I am just overall happy with my decision.

Bad things: be prepared to struggle at some restaurants, or simply have a salad for dinner (which my husband absolutely cannot do lol). My dad picks on me, and makes me cry even after years of not eating meat. It's horrible, and you might encounter unsupportive family members or friends too. I had a "best friend" that would seriously try to sabotage me. He had put bacon in something I was supposed to eat, and obviously I didn't eat it. What a jerk. We aren't really friends anymore... lol. My dad constantly offers me his food and even BRINGS ME stuff he knows I can't eat, and I end up eating nothing quite often. People will constantly tell you "I could never do that".. or "what about protein" and a bunch of other things you will be sick of hearing. People usually won't cater to you at parties, or baby showers, etc. I live in Texas, and everybody barbeques here. If I know I am going to a barbeque, I'll bring corn on the cob wrapped in tin foil and have them throw it on the grill. It's delicious. People will call you an "extremist" and all of that other hippie crap.

But even after all that, my health is more important. It's my life and I'll eat how I want. The pros outweigh the cons for me. In my case, the main thing is just dealing with the people. It's different for everybody. Do research first, of course.

Kenzietea2

I've been vegan for about a year, vegetarian for 5 years. I lost some weight at first, which was awesome. But it depends, you can be a junk food vegan and remain chubby. My skin cleared up, and that's my favorite part. I don't have to wear makeup at all anymore (unless I want eyeliner or whatever). I can run for longer, I don't get tired as quickly. My blood pressure is lower, my bloodwork is awesome (according to the doctor, I don't know what to look for when I read those papers). I am just overall happy with my decision.

Bad things: be prepared to struggle at some restaurants, or simply have a salad for dinner (which my husband absolutely cannot do lol). My dad picks on me, and makes me cry even after years of not eating meat. It's horrible, and you might encounter unsupportive family members or friends too. I had a "best friend" that would seriously try to sabotage me. He had put bacon in something I was supposed to eat, and obviously I didn't eat it. What a jerk. We aren't really friends anymore... lol. My dad constantly offers me his food and even BRINGS ME stuff he knows I can't eat, and I end up eating nothing quite often. People will constantly tell you "I could never do that".. or "what about protein" and a bunch of other things you will be sick of hearing. People usually won't cater to you at parties, or baby showers, etc. I live in Texas, and everybody barbeques here. If I know I am going to a barbeque, I'll bring corn on the cob wrapped in tin foil and have them throw it on the grill. It's delicious. People will call you an "extremist" and all of that other hippie crap.

But even after all that, my health is more important. It's my life and I'll eat how I want. The pros outweigh the cons for me. In my case, the main thing is just dealing with the people. It's different for everybody. Do research first, of course.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Sarauk2sf

I am so confused by this logic.

"Going vegan' may only help your weight loss as you will be restricted in your food choices. Do some research as you have to be careful that you are getting enough protein and fats. It is not something that should be done on a whim or for some weird arsed logic.

billsica

I went vegetarian not vegan.

I ate a lot and got fat... felt better about not eating carcass.

taunto

I respect anyone who decides to go the vegan or vegetarian route for ethical or religious reasons but if you're thinking of going that way for weight loss... well then to be honest you can get the same results eating meat. You will in fact have an easier time if you do like meat since it will help you hit your protein.

PikaKnight

Yeah, Vegan isn't the new "fad" diet plan. If you are truly serious about changing your lifestyle and vegan is something you are interested in....do a lot of research and be prepared to make sure you are getting all the nutrients needed.

Railr0aderTony

"Have you thought about going Vegan Carl?"

I'm sorry but this is the only thing that came to mind. Darn Geico and their catchy ads.

angel79202

I'm not vegan...but many people who are, do so for their beliefs..I've never heard fried chicken as a reason..maybe try to incorporate more meat free protein items while at school..but vegans still get protein from other sources..look it all up..don't make a hasty decision based on fried chicken..if it's not what u truly believe..

MoreBean13

I've been a vegetarian for almost 20 years. This is the worst reason I have ever heard to go vegan.

It's extremely restrictive and requires a level of dietary planning that the average omnivorous eater would find challenging. Choosing to become a vegan requires a lot of self-discipline and commitment, and IMO some moral/ethical reason for doing so to be able to stick with it successfully.

You do not have to become a vegan or a vegetarian to include more plant-based meals in your diet. I would encourage you to try doing that if you have the inclination to, but don't jump head first in to veganism because it seems convenient because your cafeteria doesn't have chicken the way you like it. I assure you, on the list of potential benefits of a vegan diet, nobody would ever include convenience.

Spiritwarrior3000

I love meat too much mmmm The ripping of flesh across my teeth :drinker: Cheers for going Vegan more meat for me jks

jenilla1

You dont have to go vegan to avoid meat. You can just be a regular old vegetarian. It's a lot less restrictive. I could do vegetarian easily - since I don't eat meat and I only eat birds and fish a few times a week so it would be an easy adjustment - but I think it would be really hard for me, personally, to go pure vegan. I like cheese and honey too much. Weight loss seems like a strange reason to go vegan, since you can lose weight without going vegan quite easily. The vegan lifestyle does not guarantee weight loss. Calorie deficits do that. :flowerforyou:

psuLemon

One last thing, one of the best things i did was concentrate on eliminating processed meats and concentrated on whole foods. I also limit dairy (except milk) and grains (wife has to be gluten free) as it helped reduced my sodium. The meats i eat are lean cuts and full of flavor.. i dont eat fried food either. This along with a calorie deficit and exercise (especially resistance training and HIIT) has been a recipe for fat loss. And all of this has provided the same benefits mentioned by vegans; more energy, clearer skin, etc. In my opinion, eliminating the processed foods is what leads to these, not so much meat in itself.

now_or_never12

Vegan is a lot different than just not eating the crispy chicken your school serves. Going vegan means no meat, no eggs, no milk, no cheese, no jello, and a LOT of other things. You can't eat anything that has any form of animal product in it (also, serious vegan won't use any product on their skin that contains animal byproducts).

Going vegan won't for sure help with losses.... It can be healthier but it may not be ... it all depends on how you eat and what you eat.

lmcgrad

okay thanks guys!