Are you Vegan?

a reply to: McSwifty

Oh and yes, I think it's funny when people are weighing out a 4 ounce piece of meat and leaving the table hungry. In the meantime I am eating un-limited veggies, feeling fuller and more satisfied quicker and I don't feel bloated and/or lethargic later!

a reply to: Scorpiogurl

I could never limit my carbs they make me feel amazing especially lots of fruit! That's our predominant food source as humans. Sounds like you have a good thing going fitness wise. I definitely agree with you about feeling closer to nature, iv'e always loved nature but now I'm not contributing to destroying it even more so

To all vegans. You don't eat meat because you love and respect animals. So why are you eating all their food?

a reply to: crayzeed

I am not sure if this is a legit question or if you are being sarcastic but...

Non-vegans consume more grains and crops than vegans because 80-90% of all the soy/corn and other crops are funneled through farmed animals. So if harvesting grains is killing smaller animals, then non-vegans are more the culprit; they are literally responsible for more plants being used.

No one can live on this planet without harming other animals/insects or taking from the environmental resources; however vegans are trying to minimize their harm.

a reply to: McSwifty

It's kind of odd I guess with limiting carbs but it works for me. I love fruit too and believe me every now and then I have an all out fruit binge! But I can't eat fruit and grains consistently.

Yes... nature is awesome

a reply to: ManFromEurope

I get what you're saying. Even if I know it's vegan, the meat look still usually freaks me out. It'd be better for me if they just made up a new name for whatever it is.

I've been a vegetarian since I was 4 and am now becoming vegan. I've always thought, why should fake meat appeal to vegetarians? It's like serving fake human meat to regular meat-eaters. It's just a thought I have. I'm not saying it's completely like that. I have tried fake chicken nuggets and fake hot dogs. They're good..but it feels weird. Anyway, they are vegetarian not vegan so no more of those anyway. I think the fake meat is maybe more for people who are now vegetarian but ate meat for a long time.

a reply to: Scorpiogurl

Like I said in another post in this thread, I have been a vegetarian since I was 4. That's when I realized what I was actually eating. The thought of eating animals grossed me out, and still does.

Now, I am becoming a vegan. What makes me want to be vegan is because I want to not be a part of the cruelty that animals experience in the meat and milk industry. I think some don't know what goes on behind the scenes, doesn't think about it, or simply doesn't care. Society has conditioned us to believe it is perfectly normal to go into the grocery store and pick up a gallon of milk as if were made for us, not calves.

Were you a vegetarian or meat-eater before this change to want to be vegan? I'm just curious.

It seems there are tons of vegan websites to help you. I heard this advice somewhere else, I can't remember where, and it was worded better but: It's kind of hard when you are becoming vegan because it is hard to know what all is vegan and what is not. So, you just have to try your best to stay vegan and you'll figure out more of what is vegan/not vegan as you go..or something like that.

Beware of the meat eating trolls. I know throughout my life, as soon I've said I'm a vegetarian, someone will HAVE to tell me, harshly, how cows taste so good, or how they have to have bloody steaks. It's apparent it's just to get a rise out of me. Even my boyfriend does this to me occasionally. *rolls eyes*

Anyway, good luck with it!

originally posted by: crayzeed
To all vegans. You don't eat meat because you love and respect animals. So why are you eating all their food?

Obviously, vegans are not eating all of the animal's food on the planet. So, I'm assuming you're really misinformed or just trying to annoy vegans. Probably the latter.

a reply to: paperdoll

Yes I have encountered people in my life who like to make jokes about it and/or give me a hard time! I say to each their own. I bring my own stuff (enough to share) when I have too and I've never had a problem asking for substitutions at restaurants! If I have to skip a meal I am always armed with snacks and at minimal a good plant based protein shake!

I was on the meat and protein wagon for a long time. With 80% of my life being involved in several gym communities and athletics I was caught up in the whole "you have to eat protein to keep yourself full and build muscle"! Unfortunately most people just assume protein only comes from animal products and not stuff like spinach and broccoli!

I went 100% vegan as a 30 day challenge - 100% whole plant based unprocessed clean foods. I met the challenge and it was amazingly easy for me. I did my home-work before hand. At first I had a hard time giving up Greek yogurt. I tried Vegan products like yogurt made of almond or coconut but it wasn't the same. But about a week into the plan I noticed a few things... I wasn't bloated anymore and I didn't have any aches/pains. After the 30 day challenge I started eating dairy again and guess what...? Yup! So I gave it up for good!

Transitioning to Vegan just takes baby steps. Trial and error. Don't be hard on yourself if you make a mistake, just move forward and learn from it. I remember being shocked when I finally figured out that honey was not a vegan product LOL! I stopped eating it and switched over to Agave syrup instead. At some point I'd like to get my own bees, then I won't feel bad about eating their honey

Being Vegan has increased my cooking skills greatly! I had to learn to be extremely creative and I have to say I've come up with some amazing dishes! My husband is slowly transitioning as well now that he's feeling and seeing the health benefits!

The only Vegan replacement product that I do like is made by the Gardein company. They have the best beefless burgers on earth! In fact, I had a BBQ last weekend and made a bunch of those along with regular ones and wouldn't you know it? My vegan ones were the first to go!

I've always been a health and nutrition nut and I am a licenses nutritionist (general practice / holistic / sports nutrition).

I'm Vegetarian 25 of 52 years. I eat junk food mostly. All ethnic dishes, Mexican, Italian, Chinese are all just as good w/o meat. If I served someone a meatless meal, they wouldn't really think they were "cheated" or whatever.

I say to just try it for a day or two, it's not hard.

originally posted by: paperdoll

originally posted by: crayzeed
To all vegans. You don't eat meat because you love and respect animals. So why are you eating all their food?

Obviously, vegans are not eating all of the animal's food on the planet. So, I'm assuming you're really misinformed or just trying to annoy vegans. Probably the latter.

Yes, what she said!

a reply to: FlyingFox

Yes, that and try to establish just one day of the week "Meatless Monday"

Been Vegan before am currently a vegetarian, good thread for information.

Soy should be taken in moderation due to estrogen that can cause health issues. Also, many commercial soy "meatless" products contain GMOs, if one is trying to avoid them, look for packaging that shares it being non GMO(Gardein is non GMO). The name brands(such as Boca) have GMO and non GMO versions.

For alternatives to soy;
Mushrooms are a handy ingredient. As is hemp.

If you haven't tried Hemp(seed) burgers, pre packaged or made at home with some fun recipes, check them out.

I've made veggie burgers with hemp, wild rice included but prefer black bean instead.

a reply to: dreamingawake

Good information here.

The thing I learned is that Vegan doesn't have to be complicated nor does clean eating. The best way to explore this life-style is to keep it simple. Start with the very basics and work from there. I feel like a lot of people jump in head first and start searching for all of these recipes and crazy ingredients, get overwhelmed and just give up.

-The first time I learned how to make flax-eggs I was astonished! haha