Going Vegan ?

Read "forks over knives" and "engine 2 diet" (typing on phone... So being brief)

I think vegans don't eat meat subs. But maybe the rules have changed since I last checked.

And going vegan shouldn't be done purely for weight loss purposes. If you want to, go for it. But its a very difficult change to make. I would say start by reducing meat intake and eventually eliminate it. Stay vegetarian for a while, then go in to veganism.

I went vegan 8 months ago and tried all the faux meats. Since I loved fried chicken and bacon, I thought I could find a substitute. Boy, was I wrong! The "meats" taste nothing like the real thing, so you'll just be disappointed. Instead, I started focusing on recipes with new grains I'd never tried before - millet, quinoa, etc and lots of veggies and portabellos. I am amazed at how wonderful these "simple" foods could taste! Now the only foods I eat that aren't whole foods are breads and crackers. I'm down 19 pounds in 2 months! Some extremely helpful cookbooks are Let Them Eat Vegan by Dreena Burton and the Forks Over Knives Cookbook. Just google "vegan recipes" and you'll be amazed at all the wonderful choices out there! I know I am never turning away from being vegan...and I feel wonderful!

There is a great book to start you out and it's the Idiot's Guide to Plant Based Eating. I really found it a light, helpful read when I switched over. I watched Forks over Knives and have the Engine 2 Diet book as well. The cook books that I find make it really simple with everyday ingredients are the Happy Herbivore Cookbooks. Check out the Happy Herbivore website too. There is a movie called Vegucated which is about 3 people making the transition that I really liked because it showed other people going through the motions and emotions of going vegan.

I will say when you start out that you really just need to focus on one meal at a time or it can be overwhelming. Some people ease into it by slowly eliminating and some just go cold turkey (or should I say tofu). Decide what is right for you and move forward.

I've been vegan since January and have really come to love it! I feel great and have more energy than I ever did eating meat or dairy.

**Please nobody ask me where I get my protein from. Just do me a favor and google 'vegan protein sources'.

Going vegan is a great and healthy choice, you just want to make sure that you're getting enough of everything you need- of course, staying balanced is necessary no matter what. You might find that you're eating more carbs than usual but whole wheat, multi-grain, sprouted, etc. are complex carbs and don't get stored as fat right away. Make a lot of your meals at home- sauteed tofu/veggies in low sodium soy sauce with rice or beans are great meals and can be switched up depending on your favorite veggies, etc. Weight loss may not come as easily with being vegan but I don't think that's as important as being healthy.

And going vegan shouldn't be done purely for weight loss purposes.

I agree with this. If you decide to switch, I actually suggest going all out. You may want to read Skinny B*tch for meal ideas or use the App Veg Kickstart , the App Vegan Express is helpful for finding vegan options at standard chains like burger king, etc.

When making the change mock meats help quite a bit. After you are vegan for a while, your palate will change and you will find other dishes which contain more whole foods to be wonderful. Therefore limiting your mock meat intake .... mock meats are high in sodium so ok every once in a while, but I would not recommend them at every meal.