Vegans!!

Runner_mick
Runner_mick Posts: 115 Member
edited October 4 in Food and Nutrition
I have decided I am going switch to a vegan diet 6 days a week starting November 1st. I am doing it for the health benefits and to improve running and become very lean. Any of you vegans out there have any tips on what is the best soy milk, what you normally eat, good recipes, etc....? I have heard that some people have stomach issues when they switch to a vegan diet. Is that true? I just need good advice on how to make the switch. I don't eat a lot of meat or dairy anyway. The only thing is I do love milk and need to find a good substitute for it. Thanks
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Replies

  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Do you know what the difference is between vegan and vegetarian?

    (quick: google it)
  • Clever_Girl
    Clever_Girl Posts: 114
    I have the most amazing Vegan Rap you should watch.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajEX3wuTziY&feature=player_embedded

    It will not disappoint.
  • Runner_mick
    Runner_mick Posts: 115 Member
    Yes, i know the difference. Thanks though.......
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    I should warn you that I got big and fat as a vegan. It's not a "diet". And now I am having to work just as hard to lose weight as a vegan as a veg or an omni would.

    Almond milk is way better than soy. Trader Joes has good soy protein powder for cheap.

    Good luck.
  • Fairysoul
    Fairysoul Posts: 1,361 Member
    Almond breeze for milk is great!!! My daughter loves it, we started with anilla went to original then to unsweetened, it works great! I am on my way to being vegan so I understand, feel free to add me!!
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    Almond Breeze milk is my favorite, I like it with hemp protein from TJ's.
  • hezzyfoofie
    hezzyfoofie Posts: 57 Member
    A word of caution re: almond milk. It is not a good source of protein, so I wouldn't consider it a replacement for dairy milk.
  • exploremore2011
    exploremore2011 Posts: 22
    Almond Breeze milk is my favorite, I like it with hemp protein from TJ's.

    ^this is good. I like coconut too ;)
  • kenzietea
    kenzietea Posts: 614 Member
    there are tons of recipes online, and tons of milk substitutes. Hemp, almond, soy, rice milks are all delicious. There are also soy yogurts and cheese replacements that work really well. Be careful though, many of the pre-packaged 'meatless' items still have egg/milk in them. Usually vegan items will say vegan somewhere on the product, but if not just read the ingredients carefully. Gardein products are really delicious if you cook them right :)
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    A word of caution re: almond milk. It is not a good source of protein, so I wouldn't consider it a replacement for dairy milk.

    But it is a good source as an alternative to soy juice, as I don't recognize processed soy liquid being passed off as "milk."
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Yes, i know the difference. Thanks though.......

    Pardon my grey poupon but you are going to switch to a vegan diet 6 days a week? Does a 7th day not exist in your universe? I'm just curious.

    Also, correct me if I'm wrong but going vegan is a LIFESTYLE change. People become vegans by not only not eating any kinds of animals, but they don't wear anything animal related, they don't talk about fight club, and it becomes a true part of their beliefs and lifestyle against ANY kind of animal harm.

    Am I correct Vegans? If I'm not, please accept my apologies.
  • live2dream
    live2dream Posts: 614 Member
    I'm obsessed with almond milk. Almond Breeze is good or make your own- it's super easy! Rice and coconut milk are good too.

    I've been vegan for 3 weeks now (was vegetarian for a year first), no stomach problems- my digestion is better than ever.

    I recommend The Kind Diet... great book and healthy alternatives so you don't eat everything (just cause it's vegan) and gain weight. My issue is getting away from the processed vegan food.

    Also, www.nomeatathlete.com is a good resource for athletes on a vegan diet.
  • VeganGal84
    VeganGal84 Posts: 938 Member
    Feel free to friend me and check out my food diary for ideas! :bigsmile:
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    What will you do on the seventh day? There isn't part time veganism.
  • live2dream
    live2dream Posts: 614 Member
    Yes, i know the difference. Thanks though.......

    Pardon my grey poupon but you are going to switch to a vegan diet 6 days a week? Does a 7th day not exist in your universe? I'm just curious.

    Also, correct me if I'm wrong but going vegan is a LIFESTYLE change. People become vegans by not only not eating any kinds of animals, but they don't wear anything animal related, they don't talk about fight club, and it becomes a true part of their beliefs and lifestyle against ANY kind of animal harm.

    Am I correct Vegans? If I'm not, please accept my apologies.

    True, vegan is a lifestyle change, but if someone chooses to just eat a plant-based diet for health reasons, that's entirely their decision. Probably not classified as 'vegan' but she just said vegan 'diet'. Diet is just what a person eats.
  • EpiGaiaRepens
    EpiGaiaRepens Posts: 824 Member
    i was vegan for 11 years. I support you in eating vegan 6 out of 7 days a week. Do what works for you. I think the people who are being defensive of the concept of veganism are maybe confusing the idea of eating vegan with the idea of being vegan.

    To be vegan is to be 100% vegan. Though I'd argue about the wearing of animal products because for 11 years I was vegan but i wore second hand leather shoes and I believe that was in line with my ethics. When I was vegan, I was offended by people saying that they were vegan when they really weren't so I can see what they are thinking. But you never said that. Also, I lived as a vegan for 3 months before I felt comfortable calling myself a vegan.

    But to eat vegan 6 out of 7 days a week is a FANTASTIC idea! I say YOU GO GIRL!

    In fact, friend me! Because I was vegan for 11 years (and through one pregnancy!) I have a vegan child and am now feeling ready to go vegan again myself!
  • storknursekelly
    storknursekelly Posts: 94 Member
    There is a great site out there by the PCRM (Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine) they have a 21 day vegan kickstart plan that is starting the beginning of November. It has recipes, gives you a food plan, and you WILL NOT GAIN WEIGHT on this because it is balanced eating. Most people who gain weight as vegetarians or vegans eat processed foods or simple carbs, so they will gain weight. This vegan lifestyle is made up of fruits, veggies, legumes and whole grains.

    This is the website: http://www.21daykickstart.org/

    This is the 4th time this year that they have done it and it is amazing !!! They are doing it in India, so I imagine a lot of the dishes will be of that cuisine. I hope this helps. I am a vegan, had to go gluten free recently due to an auto immune hypothyroid issue I have, so I have added some fish and chicken back into my diet recently, but come November when this starts again I am there with ya sista !!!
  • thedreamhazer
    thedreamhazer Posts: 1,156 Member
    i was vegan for 11 years. I support you in eating vegan 6 out of 7 days a week. Do what works for you. I think the people who are being defensive of the concept of veganism are maybe confusing the idea of eating vegan with the idea of being vegan.

    To be vegan is to be 100% vegan. Though I'd argue about the wearing of animal products because for 11 years I was vegan but i wore second hand leather shoes and I believe that was in line with my ethics. When I was vegan, I was offended by people saying that they were vegan when they really weren't so I can see what they are thinking. But you never said that. Also, I lived as a vegan for 3 months before I felt comfortable calling myself a vegan.

    But to eat vegan 6 out of 7 days a week is a FANTASTIC idea! I say YOU GO GIRL!

    In fact, friend me! Because I was vegan for 11 years (and through one pregnancy!) I have a vegan child and am now feeling ready to go vegan again myself!

    :flowerforyou: Thank you for saying it.

    @OP -- If this is what you want to do then go for it! It's a great way to start thinking about food differently. But remember --- there are many unhealthy vegan choices, too. Vegan choices are not necessarily equal to healthy choices. When I was eating a vegan diet, I didn't have any issues. I was eating vegan after eating vegetarian or pescetarian for a few years. Also, I love milk but I never went with a milk replacement except in recipes or baking. I just stopped having it because almond or soy milk, while they can be delicious, do not resemble milk to me at all.
  • Runner_mick
    Runner_mick Posts: 115 Member
    Yes, i know the difference. Thanks though.......

    Pardon my grey poupon but you are going to switch to a vegan diet 6 days a week? Does a 7th day not exist in your universe? I'm just curious.

    Also, correct me if I'm wrong but going vegan is a LIFESTYLE change. People become vegans by not only not eating any kinds of animals, but they don't wear anything animal related, they don't talk about fight club, and it becomes a true part of their beliefs and lifestyle against ANY kind of animal harm.

    Am I correct Vegans? If I'm not, please accept my apologies.

    I am doing it for health benefits as I said in my initial post. I am allowing myself 1 cheat day a week because I do like chicken, tuna, cheese, and milk, and I still want my subway sandwiches occasionally. If I was doing it for the moral reasons then yes it would be a 7 day a week change. I don't see anything wrong about that. Sorry if that offends you but I want to do what works for me. Maybe after a few months its something I want to continue 7 days a week, 100% strict but I would rather ease into slowly
  • neckburg
    neckburg Posts: 9 Member
    please "friend" me if any of you need to add a little light hearted sarcasm into your life. i've been eating vegan for the past 3 years and would love to support others who are living the same way. i don't care who's the MOST vegan on this site. i'm too busy for that crap. :) here's to safety in numbers! cheers :)
  • maura5880
    maura5880 Posts: 346 Member
    I eat 90% vegan-the only dairy being egg whites & Greek yogurt. It's not really a diet, but more a lifestyle change. Although I will eat cage free eggs & yogurt, I won't wear or use leather products, or anything like that. And believe me, you can gain weight just as easily being vegan. Oreos are vegan.
  • Runner_mick
    Runner_mick Posts: 115 Member
    Thanks everyone for the support and the advice! :)
  • JennyDeK
    JennyDeK Posts: 5
    I have recently ( Since October 1st) become a vegetarian, although I prefer no title no my diet. I still eat cheese and eggs no more then 3 times a week, and mostly as a convenience item. Other then those items in my diet I try and look for dairy free, vegan and meatless products when I do buy processed foods. My main staple has been whatever I can come home with from the local produce/farmers markets. I mix veggies together in all sorts of combos. If its piled up on my counter I am forced to eat it with every meal, what if it went bad? An acorn squash with a side of cucumber/ bell pepper/ red onion/ fresh corn on the cob/ green onion salad tossed with EVOO salt and pepper is very filling. I try and eat more protein and carbs during the day when I need them, brown rice and black beans mostly. I juice a lot of carrot, beet, kale etc to get in extra vitamins. MFP has been very helpful for me in making the transition. I am concerned about gaining weight and find the fat, carb, sugar, protein trackers super helpful when it comes to completing my diary and analyzing the outcome. I hope to become a vegan eventually but think that in moderation cheese and eggs are okay for me, cause really I don't care about the animals. I am kidding. I care a little, I care more about my health and that they are not going to help that.The only thing that I would suggest is eating which ever way you decide to 7 days a week. Don't confuse your body, or more importantly, your mind by eating meat once a week. A great documentary to watch is Forks over Knives, its on Netflixs. This is really eye opening when it comes to the health risks and concerns animal based diets cause. Good for you and good luck!
  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    no..normally stomach issues clear up with a vegetarian or vegan diet.

    just remember though..that it doesnt matter that is a vegan diet..you can still over eat and eat poorly. and wont make you lean..what makes you lean is muscle gain and fat loss
  • cmhickey616
    cmhickey616 Posts: 85 Member
    I just started eating a plant based diet as well for health reasons after seeing the documentary Forks over Knives. I highly recommend that. I've been using the book that goes with the movie, a book called the Engine 2 Diet discussed in the movie, and the blog/cookbook the Happy Herbivore as my references. It's been a week so far and I can't imagine going back to an omnivore diet. friend me if you want :)
  • nevadjinn
    nevadjinn Posts: 75 Member
    I've been a vegan for over a year now, and every time I accidentally get some animal product in my food I get really sick. For example, last week I was at a conference and it turned out that the "vegan" chicken salad they had provided had mayonnaise and the cookies had eggs and milk (I was able to avoid these, since they were packaged and thus had an ingredients list, but I didn't realize about the mayo until another vegan friend pointed out that it tasted weird after I had eaten over half of it). I was throwing up etc. etc. for two days. Because vegan food is much more alkaline than animal products, if you're eating mostly vegan your stomach won't produce the proper enzymes to digest meat etc. so you'll probably get sick or at the very least feel kinda crappy when you eat it. This is a very long-winded way of saying that I worry that if you go 100% vegan 85% of the time the other 15% might give you stomach problems.

    Vegans, generally speaking, having somewhat lower BMIs. This is not because vegan food automatically burns fat. Sorry to dash your hopes. Committing to veganism does, however, make opportunities to cheat on one's diet less immediate. Before I was a vegan I couldn't manage to maintain a weight below the late 140s because any social occasion I went to included birthday cake/cookies/all the other imaginable binge foods. As a vegan, you can usually socialize without being tempted to totally pig out on junk food.

    I hope you at least look into the ethical arguments for veganism. I know I know. We've got a bad rep. But there are some really compelling arguments out there and if you're mostly vegan anyway an ethical perspective could solidify your commitment to veganism. I could never have stayed this vegan this long or been this healthy (125 lbs!) if I had not been able to rely on an ethical justification for my healthy eating when my determination to be thin failed me.

    Best of luck on your journey!
  • maidentl
    maidentl Posts: 3,203 Member
    Am I correct Vegans? If I'm not, please accept my apologies.

    Most people that call themselves vegan do go all out. But there's no law against eating a vegan diet only.
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    I should warn you that I got big and fat as a vegan. It's not a "diet". And now I am having to work just as hard to lose weight as a vegan as a veg or an omni would.

    Almond milk is way better than soy. Trader Joes has good soy protein powder for cheap.

    Good luck.

    Out of genuine curiosity, were you eating a healthful vegan diet, or one high in foods like pasta and oreos, which happen to be vegan? Just like there are healthy and unhealthy omnivores, there are healthy and unhealthy vegans. A vegan diet rich in colorful veggies, fresh fruits, tofu, tempeh and legumes (and exercise!) is how I lost my first 20 pounds.

    As for OP, I am a huge fan of almond milk, but it's so easy (and cheaper) to make your own at home using water, a food processor and the nut of your choice.
  • lisasays
    lisasays Posts: 142 Member
    I am vegetarian 25 years and vegan off and on throughout. I have been whole food vegan for 4 months now and I dont plan on ever going back.

    You can have stomach issues early on, but they go away after a short time. I think it has to do with fiber (if you are eating whole).

    I did gain on a vegan diet a year ago, but I was eating crap like potato chips and mac and chreese.
    Watch your soy intake and really have fun with recipes. I love fatfreevegan.com.

    good luck! you are going to feel amazing!
  • maidentl
    maidentl Posts: 3,203 Member
    I'd like to recommend a vegan cookbook I just got, "Appetite for Reduction" by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. She's got the full nutritional info on every recipe and the things I have made so far have been great! I am not a vegan but I do try to scale back on animal products as much as possible. The vegan police haven't come for me yet. :wink:

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1600940498?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwtheppkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1600940498
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