0: Are you are strict vegan, ethical vegan, or strict vegetarian, or other?

I have been a sctrict vegetarian all my life and trying to make the transition to vegan.

1. How has your health changed since your transition into veganism? Has it improved?

My cholesterol has gone down, I have lost weight, and stomach pains/ bloating are pretty much gone.

2. Is it ever difficult to stick to a vegan diet?

Yes, so many recipies call for eggs, milk, etc and some vegan substitutes just don't cut it!

3. Are you reasons for your diet health based or ethic based?

I am becoming vegan for health reasons but being a vegetarian has always been ethical.

4. Do you have to plan food in advance in order to maintain your diet?

Not really, I just have to plan my trips to the grocery store more carefully. As long as I don't have non-vegan food in my pantry it's not too difficult to stick with it. Going out is another story.

5. Do you ever miss eating animals or their products?

I miss real bread and pasta. Other then that not really. I'm not fond of eggs or milk on their own.

6. Do you take extra care and consideration into your food preparation?

I still eat frozen meals and pre-packaged meals like a normal person, they're just vegan. :P When it comes to cooking real food though it does take some extra preparation.

7. What do you do to prepare for eating out, or somewhere where vegan friendly foods may not be available?

I have one cheat day a week to eat just vegetarian so I just make it the day I am going out. It's not hard to find vegetarian options almost anywhere. Once I transition to full vegan it will be all salads for me when I go out!

8. Are some of the food products you buy for your diet expensive?

Absolutely. Protein powders, iron supplements, meat substitutes, soy yogurt/ cheese, vegan ice cream, etc.

9. Do you ever eat fortified foods (ie cereals, soy milk) to help with consuming enough nutrients?

I'm only human.

10. Are animal substitutes (like tofu, egg replacers, or alternate milk sources) are staple in your diet?

Almond milk is a staple for my protein smoothies and breakfast, I only occasionally need egg replacers for baking, and I absolutely adore seitan as my meat substitute.

11. Have you ever resorted to taking supplements to meet your nutritional needs? (For example, iron tablets). If so, what for and why?

I take an iron supplement that also has the spectrum of B vitamins. I am realistic about my diet, and I know it is difficult to get enough of certain nutrients from a plant based diet.

0: Are you are strict vegan, ethical vegan, or strict vegetarian, or other?
Not sure what this question means. If you are hoping for people to pick a category, your categories don't make a lot of sense. I am a strict vegetarian for ethical reasons, much more relaxed "vegan" (about 90% vegan)

1. How has your health changed since your transition into veganism? Has it improved?
Not noticeably, but I was very healthy before. I am less gassy/bloated without dairy.

2. Is it ever difficult to stick to a vegan diet?
No

3. Are you reasons for your diet health based or ethic based?
Both

4. Do you have to plan food in advance in order to maintain your diet?
I plan food in advance in order to eat enough to satisfy me without going over my calorie goal, not to "maintain my diet"

5. Do you ever miss eating animals or their products?
I miss cheese, baked goods with real butter, and sushi.

6. Do you take extra care and consideration into your food preparation?
No? Do you?

7. What do you do to prepare for eating out, or somewhere where vegan friendly foods may not be available?
Nothing. I don't give it the slightest thought. There is always something.

8. Are some of the food products you buy for your diet expensive?
No, in fact they are much less expensive than animal products.

9. Do you ever eat fortified foods (ie cereals, soy milk) to help with consuming enough nutrients?
I use almond milk because I like it, but it does help with my calcium requirements. If I didn't like, I wouldn't use it just to get the calcium.

10. Are animal substitutes (like tofu, egg replacers, or alternate milk sources) are staple in your diet?
Tofu is a food that has been around for thousands of years, not an "animal substitute." I use almond milk because I like it; I never liked dairy milk and used almond or soymilk before giving up dairy, so I don't consider this an animal substitute either. I replace eggs for baking with flax seeds, bananas, applesauce, or tofu, all of which are real foods.

11. Have you ever resorted to taking supplements to meet your nutritional needs? (For example, iron tablets). If so, what for and why?
I have taken a B-complex for years to aid with stress and for better nails, and I still take it.

I have really enjoyed reading everyone's responses!
Here is mine:
0: Are you are strict vegan, ethical vegan, or strict vegetarian, or other?
Strict vegan diet. Ethical vegetarian, but I haven't done the research necessary to have a vegan home (cruelty free home products)

1. How has your health changed since your transition into veganism? Has it improved?
Yes. I have had people comment on my skin being especially clear, plus I have been steadily losing weight without feeling like I am 'dieting'. (about 25 pounds)

2. Is it ever difficult to stick to a vegan diet?
No. I thought I would miss cheese a lot, but I don't. Maybe pizza a little, but I am like the tomato sauce part better than the cheese, so I can make my own version.

3. Are you reasons for your diet health based or ethic based?
Both. I have been an ethical vegetarian for 20+ years, but switched recently to vegan for additional health benefits.

4. Do you have to plan food in advance in order to maintain your diet?
I don't have to plan in advance because even gas stations have things like bananas and apples nowadays in addition to nuts, but I find it easier to plan in advance. Plus it is cheaper because a person can buy things in larger quantities at grocery stores for cheaper. I buy many things at Costco like nuts, vegetables and fruits, plus things like Larabars and Trio bars.

5. Do you ever miss eating animals or their products?
No.

6. Do you take extra care and consideration into your food preparation?
No more than before I was vegan. Some days I spend a lot of time cooking, but most of the time I am too busy, so I just grab some veggies, fruit, nuts, etc.

7. What do you do to prepare for eating out, or somewhere where vegan friendly foods may not be available?
I almost always check into restaurants in advance to plan healthy option which I did prior to being vegan. There are always salads! And honestly I almost always have some almonds on hand...

8. Are some of the food products you buy for your diet expensive?
None that are necessary. I was somewhat of an ice cream addict prior to becoming vegan, so I feel compelled to eat either almond or coconut milk ice cream which is a little expensive compared to regular ice cream, but I consume no more than one container a week...which is about $6...less than a dollar a day for my indulgence. I know people that spend $4 on a coffee drink every day!

9. Do you ever eat fortified foods (ie cereals, soy milk) to help with consuming enough nutrients?
Not specifically for that reason. I do eat almond or coconut milk which I enjoy in cereal. I eat kashi cereal which has more protein in it, so that might count.

10. Are animal substitutes (like tofu, egg replacers, or alternate milk sources) are staple in your diet?
As mentioned earlier, I eat almond and coconut milk. I also eat Boca burgers which is one of my few highly processed indulgences...I try to eat mostly whole foods, but I work full time with two small children, plus coach cheerleading at my school, plus I am a leader for my church youth group. I am a very busy person!

11. Have you ever resorted to taking supplements to meet your nutritional needs? (For example, iron tablets). If so, what for and why?
I think that vitamins are recommended for all people. I have followed Weight Watchers off and on for several years and the program recommends a multi-vitamin. I take one every day that has vegan ingredients.

0: Are you are strict vegan, ethical vegan, or strict vegetarian, or other?

Moderate vegan. I adhere to a strict vegan diet and try to buy cruelty-free or vegan products, but have not tossed out all my non-vegan stuff in my house and replaced it.

1. How has your health changed since your transition into veganism? Has it improved?

Yes. My cholesterol has gone down to within normal levels. I have had moderately high cholesterol since age 25 (I'm now 48), but not quite to the point of needing medication. My family history includes extreme hypercholesterolemia and heart disease, so I wanted to get it under control. I've been vegan 3 1/2 years. My cholesterol very quickly went down into the enviable range. I have also been borderline anemic all my adult life and that corrected when I transitioned to a vegan diet, even though I do not take iron supplementation.

I also discovered I am very severely lactose intolerant and had never had a clue until going on a vegan diet. So no more constant stomach pain for me. That has been a huge plus.

2. Is it ever difficult to stick to a vegan diet?

Not in the way of desiring meat/dairy. It is generally fairly simple for me. It just takes forethought if I am going to be going out to eat or going to someone's house. If I am fairly certain there will be limited choices for me, I eat a healthy snack before leaving home. When going to a potluck, I bring a tasty dish that is vegan so I know there will at least be one thing I can eat.

3. Are you reasons for your diet health based or ethic based?

Initially, for health reasons, but as I did more and more research, it merged with the ethical reasons as well. I cannot imagine ever going back to an omnivorous diet.

4. Do you have to plan food in advance in order to maintain your diet?

I have always planned food in advance for my family. I have had a whole foods type diet for our family for over 20 years. There has historically been very little processed food in our home.

5. Do you ever miss eating animals or their products?

Not at all. When I first transitioned to a vegan diet, I would occasionally have something prepared with dairy when out at someone else's home, but quickly discovered that those indiscretions lead to severe stomach pain, so something with cheese or even something as small as a handful of M&Ms were just not worth the price.

6. Do you take extra care and consideration into your food preparation?

I've always taken care and consideration to food preparation. I have always made out menus, made things from scratch, relied very little on take out or prepared and convenience foods.

7. What do you do to prepare for eating out, or somewhere where vegan friendly foods may not be available?

I make sure to eat something nutritious beforehand or to have a healthy snack with me.

8. Are some of the food products you buy for your diet expensive?

I have not found that our grocery bills increased significantly. Even though I am the only one vegan in our family, we have greatly reduced the amount of meat purchased.

9. Do you ever eat fortified foods (ie cereals, soy milk) to help with consuming enough nutrients?

No.

10. Are animal substitutes (like tofu, egg replacers, or alternate milk sources) are staple in your diet?

I will eat tofu once every week or two. Egg replacers, no. I use an organic almond milk that has only almonds and filtered water on the ingredient list. Every once in a blue moon, I will have other meat substitutes (grain sausages, veggie burgers), but this is quite rare.

11. Have you ever resorted to taking supplements to meet your nutritional needs? (For example, iron tablets). If so, what for and why?

I do take a vegan formulated multivitamin (iron-free) mainly for the B12. I do also now take vitamin D supplementation, but not because of my diet specifically. We recently moved from the Deep South to the Pacific Northwest.

0: Are you are strict vegan, ethical vegan, or strict vegetarian, or other?

I am a strict vegan for ethical reasons. I attempt to make any product I use vegan, though this is not always in my control. (Clothing, food, cosmetics, hygiene products, candles, etc are always vegan.)

1. How has your health changed since your transition into veganism? Has it improved?

I've been vegetarian and vegan for so long that I can't answer this question. I've been eating this way prior to adulthood. My blood tests show what is classified as optimal (and sometimes above the scale) levels for cholesterol, triglycerides. My blood pressure runs low. My blood work shows adequate levels of protein, iron, vitamins, etc.

2. Is it ever difficult to stick to a vegan diet?

It's not difficult to stick to it, but it can be difficult to find options at social gatherings and restaurants.

3. Are you reasons for your diet health based or ethic based?

Ethical.

4. Do you have to plan food in advance in order to maintain your diet?

I plan food in advance due to my calorie needs, but I maintain awareness of health and nutrition when meal planning and don't feel I have to make a special effort to do so because I am vegan.

5. Do you ever miss eating animals or their products?

No, never. The sight and smell of meat is terrible to me, and there are vegan substitutes for pretty much everything.

6. Do you take extra care and consideration into your food preparation?

Yes, I prefer not to eat food that may have been cooked with meat.

7. What do you do to prepare for eating out, or somewhere where vegan friendly foods may not be available?

I eat ahead of time if it is not in my control, but when going out with friends, we choose to go places we know I can eat.

8. Are some of the food products you buy for your diet expensive?

Yes, definitely. This is a matter of choice, though, because you can eat a healthy vegan diet without buying specialty items. (Foods my partner, a non-vegetarian, eats can also be expensive.)

9. Do you ever eat fortified foods (ie cereals, soy milk) to help with consuming enough nutrients?

Not intentionally, but so many foods are fortified that I know I do.

10. Are animal substitutes (like tofu, egg replacers, or alternate milk sources) are staple in your diet?

Alternative milks are, and I like tofu, though I don't consider tofu an animal substitute. You can substitute things like chia seeds for eggs in recipes so I would consider that regular food rather than a substitute.)

11. Have you ever resorted to taking supplements to meet your nutritional needs? (For example, iron tablets). If so, what for and why?

I take vegan Omega 3 because I believe it is good for health. I take a multivitamin sometimes, but not every day, because my vitamin B-12 and folic acid levels were actually overly high the last time I had blood work done. I use protein powder, but this is more due to my gluten intolerance. If I didn't have that, I would be able to eat enough protein through regular foods. Prior to knowing I had a gluten intolerance, I never used protein powder and got plenty of protein. I try to limit soy. I use pea protein powder and pumpkin seed protein powder.

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I would love to help!

This would really help with my studies, so thank you all for your time.

0: Are you are strict vegan, ethical vegan, or strict vegetarian, or other?
- My husband and I first decided to go vegetarian for health reasons, then a few days later decided to become full-fledged vegans after studying up on the subject, which was for ethical reasons.

1. How has your health changed since your transition into veganism? Has it improved?
- I am getting a much wider variety of food now than I was before, because plant foods have crowded out the junk. We are much more likely to reach our nutritional goals than we were before. My husband lost 15 pounds in the first 3 weeks. I was nearly 8 months pregnant when we transitioned, but I have lost inches around the "me" parts of my body, while my weight hovers at about the same because of growing baby. My acne, dry skin, allergies, and heartburn are either gone or rarely appear. I no longer have morning sickness at all, and it used to be all day long.
2. Is it ever difficult to stick to a vegan diet? It has not been difficult for us, but it can somehow make others uncomfortable. Even though the vast majority of our meals are eaten privately, it seems that one has to explain their reasoning for not using animal products often. You become a sort of professional myth debunker and peacekeeper.

3. Are you reasons for your diet health based or ethic based?
- Health, ethics, and environmentally based.
4. Do you have to plan food in advance in order to maintain your diet?
-In a way, yes. However, grabbing a piece of fruit or nuking a sweet potato are pretty fast foods to me. I shop on sundays, and prepare things like quinoa and rice ahead of time, so throwing meals together later in the week is a snap. All in all, it's no different in difficulty than when we were omnivores. It just takes a little practice to get the rhythm down. I felt like adjusting to the way I planned meals from a single person to a married person was more difficult than going from omni to vegan.
5. Do you ever miss eating animals or their products?
- I thought I did once. I'd only been off dairy for a week and had gone out for asian food, only to find that there was one dish on the whole buffet that would qualify as vegan. I ate soft serve ice cream at the end, I don't know why, I wasn't really craving it. (maybe because of the lack of selection?) Anyway, I had stomach cramps by the time I got in the car. I hadn't missed the taste either. It was that much more clear that I didn't need or want it.
6. Do you take extra care and consideration into your food preparation?
-Maybe? I do pay extra attention to the nutrients of my food, not because they are hard to attain, in fact, it is much much EASIER to meet my goals without a multivitamin since I have been vegan. It's more because I am still learning, and don't want to mistakenly miss out on nutrients since I am pregnant. As I said, it is much, much easier to have balance and eat good food without heavy foods like meat and cheese taking up room in my stomach and my daily calories.

7. What do you do to prepare for eating out, or somewhere where vegan friendly foods may not be available?
-You can always call ahead, or if you're in a situation where it won't be considered rude not to eat (or no one would notice) you can eat beforehand. I worked in food service for a very long time, as a server and as a cook. Most places appreciate the heads' up, and sometimes chefs are happy to make a special dish for you to show off their skills. It helps to be as friendly as possible, and to be understanding, they are cooking for the masses, and the masses eat butter! I have yet to come across a restaurant that has no veg choices, but I haven't gone to a BBQ joint in a while.

8. Are some of the food products you buy for your diet expensive?
-People who buy meat and cheese replacers spend more than vegans who do not. We usually purchase a block or two of vegan cheese and a tub of tofutti sour cream, because sometimes it's nice to make veganized versions of food you already love. All in all, I still spend much, much less than I did before. Our weekly groceries used to run about $130-$150, Now, they run more like $50-$100, depending on what meals I've planned.

9. Do you ever eat fortified foods (ie cereals, soy milk) to help with consuming enough nutrients?
- I drink almond milk because I like it, but I try to get my nutrients from their natural source. I do use Nutritional yeast, which is fortified with B12.

10. Are animal substitutes (like tofu, egg replacers, or alternate milk sources) are staple in your diet? I love tofu, but I always did, because the texture is so variable, and it takes on the taste of whatever you cook it with. I have yet to buy boxed egg replacer, and substitute egg in any number of ways, depending on what I'm cooking. I do love my almond milk, and will sometimes use a soy creamer in my coffee.

11. Have you ever resorted to taking supplements to meet your nutritional needs? (For example, iron tablets). If so, what for and why?
-I don't regularly need a supplement, but I have vegan supplements in my kitchen, just in case I have a day where I either miss a nutrient or I'm not entirely sure, and then they are there for insurance.

Hi Adrian,

You can add me if you would like. I am a RN, recently vegan & interested in your research findings. Here are my answers.

0: Are you are strict vegan, ethical vegan, or strict vegetarian, or other? strictly vegan for both ethical & health reasons.

1. How has your health changed since your transition into veganism? More energy, fat loss, lowered blood sugars (the ADA is looking at vegan diets as a way to reverse diabetes and insulin resistance neither of which I have but was heading that way.
Has it improved? yes !!

2. Is it ever difficult to stick to a vegan diet? At first yes until your brain stops craving the animal & dairy products, restaurants can sometimes be difficult.

3. Are you reasons for your diet health based or ethic based? both, I wish I would have watched the documentaries of slaughter houses before I had kids, I would have raised them vegan.

4. Do you have to plan food in advance in order to maintain your diet? Because I am the only vegan in my household at the moment I do plan my own menus & buy different foods for myself. I do tho plan everyday to eat at least 40 grams of fiber, so I plan my food around that.
5. Do you ever miss eating animals or their products? At first the smells, but not having it now your taste buds & even nose changes & the smell of meat cooking sometimes isn't pleasant.

6. Do you take extra care and consideration into your food preparation? Yes because I want to lose weight.

7. What do you do to prepare for eating out, or somewhere where vegan friendly foods may not be available? I cook ahead of time sometimes like a sweet potato, make a black bean & corn salad, boil an artichoke, veggies in a bag with hummus, fruit.

8. Are some of the food products you buy for your diet expensive? I chose not to buy processed foods if I can help it. I try to make everything from scratch. I find some are more expensive I think because their is less demand for them.

9. Do you ever eat fortified foods (ie cereals, soy milk) to help with consuming enough nutrients? yes

10. Are animal substitutes (like tofu, egg replacers, or alternate milk sources) staples in your diet? I use them occasionally.

11. Have you ever resorted to taking supplements to meet your nutritional needs? (For example, iron tablets). Yes
If so, what for and why? I only take a vitamin B12 supplement daily as strict vegans do not get enough vitamin B12 from their diets usually.

Thank you & good luck with your research paper. Kelly

Are you are strict vegan, ethical vegan, or strict vegetarian, or other?
--Strict vegan for ethical and other reasons.

How has your health changed since your transition into veganism? Has it improved?
--Not noticeable difference, to be honest.

Is it ever difficult to stick to a vegan diet?
--Never, truly.

Are you reasons for your diet health based or ethic based?
--Ethics-based

Do you have to plan food in advance in order to maintain your diet?
--Sometimes, yes...such as when eating out.

Do you ever miss eating animals or their products?
--I loved the taste of many animal-derived foods such as cheese and peanut butter cups. I have found alternatives for most everything, though!

Do you take extra care and consideration into your food preparation?
--Not sure I understand...

What do you do to prepare for eating out, or somewhere where vegan friendly foods may not be available?
--We usually only go places where I can order at least a little something. I often bring my own extras such as vegan sour cream. If I am somewhere with no options I'll have a protein bar.

Are some of the food products you buy for your diet expensive?
--Yes! But it's the stuff I shouldn't eat much of anyway so it helps limit me.

Do you ever eat fortified foods (ie cereals, soy milk) to help with consuming enough nutrients?
--Never intentionally.

Are animal substitutes (like tofu, egg replacers, or alternate milk sources) are staple in your diet?
--I don't really consider something like almond milk an "animal substitute". But yes, I use these items regularly.

Have you ever resorted to taking supplements to meet your nutritional needs? (For example, iron tablets). If so, what for and why?
--My iron is perfect as is every other tested item in my most recent extensive blood test. Only thing I take is B12 two times a week or so.

0: Are you are strict vegan, ethical vegan, or strict vegetarian, or other?

Strict Vegan

1. How has your health changed since your transition into veganism? Has it improved?
I no longer have heart burn (acid indigestion) (Maybe I was lactose intolerant?)

2. Is it ever difficult to stick to a vegan diet?
Not really, sometimes when out, choices can be limited.

3. Are you reasons for your diet health based or ethic based?
Ethic (health is a happy side effect)

4. Do you have to plan food in advance in order to maintain your diet?
Everyone in Household is Vegan so weeks groceries stay much the same.

5. Do you ever miss eating animals or their products?
Never.

6. Do you take extra care and consideration into your food preparation?
I don;t eat in places that serve meat.

7. What do you do to prepare for eating out, or somewhere where vegan friendly foods may not be available?
I don't go there.

8. Are some of the food products you buy for your diet expensive?
A few individual products are, but overall it's cheaper than vegetarian or omni.

9. Do you ever eat fortified foods (ie cereals, soy milk) to help with consuming enough nutrients?
Yes

10. Are animal substitutes (like tofu, egg replacers, or alternate milk sources) are staple in your diet?
Yes

11. Have you ever resorted to taking supplements to meet your nutritional needs? (For example, iron tablets). If so, what for and why?
Sometimes take a vegan multi vit, to be sure.