I giving up vegan diet

There are plenty of ways to get the protein and nutrients you need without meat. I have been vegetarian (though not vegan) for many years without any adverse effects on my health. There are vitamins that can help supplement your protein, iron and B-12 intake.

Vegetarian foods that are high in protein can include tofu, beans, quinoa, nuts (and if you're willing to divert away from a vegan diet but still want to stay away from meat, cheese and eggs are also high in protein)

Many of those same foods are also high in iron. Iron can also be found in your greens such as spinach, kale, chard, brocolli, etc.

The reason you're feeling faint is because you've likely become anemic from a lack of these nutrients in your diet. By changing your diet and even by seeking medical advise and having a health professional recommend a regimen of supplements, you can both be healthy and continue to maintain a vegan or vegetarian diet.

for these past two years, what has your diet been composed of? you can become faint/weak not just because of lack of protein. as clynnrychly said, deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can have similar effects. so, if you were more of a "junk food" vegan and getting most of your calories from more processed, pre-prepared, mostly carb- and sugar-laden foods, you could still become deficient in nutrients -- and definitely gain weight. you can correct your diet by balancing it again by not eating so many carbs, especially carbs like chips, bread, pasta/noodles, and white rice. eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and getting carbs from legumes and whole grains are a MUCH better alternative. i know it's very easy to gravitate towards mostly non nutrient-dense carbs because they're yummy and addicting in my case lol. protein can be corrected by having more legumes, tofu/soy, quinoa, and nuts. i also use Garden of Life raw vegan protein powder. 17g of protein for 90 calories and 7g carbs. i also take MegaFood's vegan daily vitamins. you don't necessarily have to go back to eating meat and/or eggs & dairy, just re-assessing your diet. however, it's your body and it's completely up to you. good luck!

I hope you feel better soon OP. Protein is important. You may have missed out on some other nutrients and vitamins also.

http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/articles/plant-food-protein-chart.pdf

http://www.22daysnutrition.com/blog/2013/05/01/15-vegan-sources-of-protein-soy-free-and-gluten-free-too/

As mentioned a vitamin B supplement and possibly D is recommended, I would also suggest protein shakes as there are plenty of vegan options.

Make sure you are also not neglecting your fats.

No matter your dietary preference you have to pay attention to your macro/micro nutrients

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

vrg.org/nutrition is a good site as well. Too many people go veg*n without research and end up not getting the proper nutrition that they need. Do some research and change the way you are eating. It can be done. I have been vegan for 20+ years.

Wow, I'm all about the meat.

That's fine that you want to eat differently, but honestly.... it bothers me when people use the "I can't get enough protein" excuse for stopping being vegan/vegetarian. You totally can, you're choosing not to. Which is fine, but it then feeds the stereotype that vegans/vegetarians can't get protein. Just say you want to eat meat again!

Indeed. I can get enough protein even on days when I eat far less calories than your average male needs, particularly an active male who hikes.

I think somewhere OP said it was bland. And another post shows he was trying on a whim it but is over it. And that is fine, I'm not judging. What you eat is entirely between you and your own ethics. But damn it, if you're just tired of eating vegan and don't like to incorporate a lot of veggies in your diet anyway, please just say so. You don't have to defend your decision to anyone except yourself but don't spread misinformation.

I spent half my life wishing to be vegetarian or vegan. I'm now glad I didn't. No need for it. Good luck and be well.

mainly eat pasta, bread, mock meats, not very much vegetables, rice & beans, hemp oil, cashews

I found that this diet is not for me anymore, everything is just bland now

I really want to see some muscle gains I'm fat with very little muscle, I take a serving of sun warrior protein blend for weights.

I want to balance things out after 2 years vegan

There is your issue then.
You need to eat whole grains, wholemeal pasta and bread not white junk. Mock meats are a great source of protein so if you're eating a lot of them you're definitely not protein deficient.
You need to eat a wide variety of vegetables, and rice and beans doesn't have to be bland and boring!
Try a chickpea and spinach curry with brown rice, or basmati if you don't like brown rice.

The only reason I see to adhere to a vegan diet is because of religious reasons or reasons of conscience (guilt about using animal products, etc).

Animal meat and animal products provide a lot of nutrients and energy...and it is more difficult to get adequate protein without any animal products whatsoever.

No it's really not. There are many great sources of protein that aren't animal derived. Anyone should be eating a well planned and balanced diet whether vegan or not. With not even careful planning it's easy to eat enough protein on a vegan diet. OP is eating mock meats, these have almost as much protein as meat. A sweet potato and bean curry with rice is over 20g of protein a serving, and the daily recommended amount is only roughly 40-50g depending on person and exercise levels.

I've been vegan for two years now, more and more I only eat carbohydrates in my diet and I feel like going back to a regular balanced diet. It's hard for me to think about eating meat again, but I need lots of protein and nutrients, and this week I went on a trail and I got winded halfway up almost passed out on the top!. My energy is at an all time low and my weight is rising which is not like me at all..

I feel like I lost myself by being vegan

I've been a Vegan for 15 years never had any problems getting protein or a balanced diet. In fact it's pretty difficult not to get enough protein. If you want to stop being a Vegan that's your choice but don't blame the diet there is no reason why a Vegan diet is not balanced other than your own choices. It's pretty easy in reality to have a balanced Vegan diet it's your choice to make it difficult

OP, you look like you need a bit of meat on your bones. Seriously.

And you're getting winded and almost fainting in response to some hiking at the age of 21?

If ethical reasons don't hinder you and you're serious about eating animal protein again, then:

1) Go with a foot long meatball sub.

2) Every day.

3) For a year.

4) And enjoy the feel and the look of being a healthy, strong early 20 something year old man again. :drinker:

I've always struggled with putting on muscle my entire life, I am putting lots of effort into it more than ever now!
I have a small stomach so I wouldn't be able to cram a foot long sub

Sounds like you need to stretch out your stomach then. The only way you're going to build some muscle is to eat a calorie surplus and lift the *kitten* out of everything.

Eat up my friend. Whether it's vegan, paleo, vegetarian, regular food, whatever. But you need to get your protein in some way or another.