Is it hard being a vegan? Does it get easier the longer you do it?

Question

What do you usually eat? Are you doing it for health or because you love animals?

Answer 1

Its not hard at all and it is tremendously better for your health.
Here are some links that will help you out:
http://www.vegsource.com/lyman/beginner.htm
http://www.vegcooking.com/shoppingGuide.asp
http://vegsource.com/veg_faq/contents.htm
http://www.vegcooking.com/health.asp
http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/
http://www.vegcooking.com/backtoschool.asp
http://www.vegcooking.com/transition.asp
http://www.vegcooking.com/guide-favs.asp
http://www.vegcooking.com/veganMenus-1.asp
http://www.vegcooking.com/superbowl.asp

Answer 2

It is harder for some than it is for others. The challenge is educating yourself and knowing your motive for making the change. Lovely has listed several websites that offer a wealth of information.

I would not say that it was hard for me. It was more of a challenge to be more creative in my food choices. It does get easier as you go along because you learn what brands and products are OK for you to eat. Plus you also learn what it is you really like to eat. At that point you basically have maybe 10 to 15 meals that you eat on a regular basis. Besides, there are plenty of cookbooks and recipe sites out there.

I became a vegan because firstly I am concerned about my health. Investigating health issues I quickly learned that there are numerous illnesses caused by meat eating.

Secondly, I saw a video call "meet your meat" and another called "Earthlings" that really educated me on the cruelties that animals endure and how the whole process of getting meat from the farm is really sick and disgusting.

I hope that this helps.

Answer 3

"Is it hard being a vegan?"

- Some people think so, I think it's pretty easy.

"Does it get easier the longer you do it? "

- When you first start it can be a little tough. It does get easier as you learn about products, yes.

"What do you usually eat?"

- All kinds of stuff. I've taken up weightlifting recently so I have been eating high protein foods, such as soy, beans, etc. But I still eat a wide range of veggie items, pasta, salads, soup, etc...

"Are you doing it for health or because you love animals?"

- It was for health resons orignally, but it has become about animal rights as I started to read more information on the topic.

Answer 4

It is hard at first, because you have to unplug from the norm of society. You also then have to educate yourself on stuff you need to eat. And then it just becomes second nature, like an old habit.
I eat for breakfast cereal and milk (rice or soy), or a bagel and mock cream cheese (made from soy). Lunch can be vegetable soup and a sandwich (peanut butter and jelly or they now make mock lunch meats that are tasty). Dinner is either a pasta dish, a rice with stirfry dish, or bean something. They also make mock burgers, sausages, and even chicken patties (though finding vegan ones as oppose to vegetarian ones are hard to find).
I am vegan for both reasons. I don't want an animal killed just for me, and the health benefits are a big incentive to continue.
I will say that you have to be strong and independent in your personality. You will be going against what is the norm, and even though you are experiencing being vegan and what that means to you, you will be lumped into one vegan image (tree hugger, animal rights activists, social outcast, etc.) and that is all people will see.

Answer 5

I agree with a lot of what most of the others have said (with an obvious exception). I found it difficult at first, as I had to learn what to look for on food labels and had to call restaurants to explain my dietary needs. I still find it a bit frustrating to find out if some restaurants have vegan fare, but label-reading has gotten a lot easier. I also find that the thought of eating animal products has no appeal to me anymore, especially when I think of the few times that I ate some accidentally (cheese was in pizza sauce and I didn't know it until it "came back" on me). I eat a variety of foods--much more than most omnis eat--from salads, legumes, nuts, whole wheat pasta/bread, grains (rice, quinoa, etc.), fruits (apples, organges, etc), cupcakes, donuts, vegetables (cauliflower, zucchini, etc.), faux meats, dark chocolate, soy products (tofu, tempeh, soy milk, soy ice cream, etc), etc. I mostly make meals from vegan cookbooks, but also buy some frozen meals (esp. from Amy's). I eat so well that most people who see my eating habits are envious and go on-and-on about how healthy I eat:) As far as why I'm doing it, I started out doing it for health reasons and learned about the horrible animal cruelty involved in not being vegan, so now it's largely due to loving animals (though it's still healthy for me...except maybe the donuts and cupcakes)!

Answer 6

For me, it got harder because I was broke all the time and wasn't eating that well. I was young and didn't know how to do it correctly, so I stopped and reverted back to being "vegetarian" only. I did it because I love animals, but my health won over sadly. I think if I had more money and time, I would love to be vegan again. But, for now, that isn't an option in my life. Everyone is different though! What didn't work for me works for many vegans out there.

Answer 7

After four years I've forgotten what flesh
taste like because I've become accustomed
to lentil , veggie burgers , and vegan food
in general. There's a vegan version of
every non vegan recipe that I know of.

The only thing tough is the social aspect.
Because most restaurants don't carry
appeasing vegan options it's a little
harder to socialize with non vegans.
Also the stinch of meat, seafood and
animal by-products becomes unbearable.

The choice is well worth it though.
I don't regret the decision.

Answer 8

Im being a vegetarian for a resolution. People didnt think I could do it, but Im still working on it. It hard for me. But its getting easier. It turns out Im eating more healthier foods though. But eating at fastfood resturants is hard, because its usually burgers and stuff. But being a vegeitarian I eat salad, alot of potatoes, macaroni, coleslaw(if nesscary), fruits,chesse pizza, veggies, and rice.

Answer 9

It has definitely gotten easier the longer that I have done it. Especially with more and more products being available in the grocery stores and as I've gotten better at cooking.

Some sites that help:
http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/
http://www.vegan-food.net (my site!)
http://www.vegweb.com
http://www.chooseveg.com/ (free starter kit)
http://vegdining.com/ (veggie places to eat)

Cheers!

Answer 10

im not a vegetarien but i dont like all meat and i really love animals and hope to have the most animals so far i have a guinea pig and had past pets but they died and i really miss them well good luck becoming a vegen!