What are some important things that I need to know when becoming a vegan?

Question

I'm 18, and have decided to go vegan.
And although I've done plenty of research,
I'd like to hear from the real vegans out there.
I'd appreciate anything from tips to supressing
cravings to gnarly recipies!! Thanks for your time!

Answer 1

Hello Ace,
I've been vegan 6 years, and have done extensive studious research into this and many other areas. Feel free and welcome to contact me with more questions, or bring my attention to a question you've posed on here (I don't always check this section). Make me a contact if you like.

The most accurate answer I can see in this question page is by VeganJack, but it's not my favourite.

It's sad to say this, but the vegan mentality (as you can see from the mentality of the answers before me) is predominantly negative. Avoid this, supress that, those can be dangerous, beware of misinformation from uneducated and ill informed people, rude and ignorant hacks trying to insult you, and think of those poor, innocent animals. Stay away from processed foods, pre-packaged foods, restaraunts that aren't specifically vegan, and just about every other social place in existence.

So why would anyone want to become Vegan? As one answerer said, this is something you MUST resolve with yourself first and foremost, before continuing. The five main reasons are:
Animal Rights
Animal Welfare
Human Rights
Human Health
The Environment
More information on these available from PETA, in a variety of formats.

I became Vegan because of all 5 (simultaneously), which was a major shock to my system, physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. I still don't feel like I fit in anywhere: Vegans and vegetarians are always ridiculing how bad everyone else is, which i think is just as negative as the act of eating meat. I am aware of how hipocritical it is of me to be talking negatively about how negative people can be, and I'm sorry to all who find this insulting.

So onto the corrections, from the top:
Vegan food is tastier and MORE mouth watering than omnivorous food, Maria b. Try eating living vegetables for a change, see the difference?

Lizz10403: The average person's RDI of protien is 56 grams per day. The average person consumes 112 grams per day. The average vegetarian consumes 88 grams per day. As long as your intake is at or above 56, your ok. 56 is actually misinformation from the government, however, because scientific studies determined that RDI is actually 21 grams per day, and for public health reasons the number is times by 33%, then doubled. That's politics for you!

This is part of the reason many processed foods contain animal products: to boost the protein content and make the product appear healthier. Therefore, many things DO contain animal, but these things are usually products that you know are unhealthy anyway.

Offkey is correct about your need to know a lot about vitamins, but it is equally important to know about amino acids, enzymes, alkaline vs acidic, positively vs negatively electrolysed vs neutered, mineral balance, blood clotting vs thinning, antioxidants, free radicals, carcinogenic compounds in supermarkets, electromagnetically irradiated foods, and the long list of additives like MSG, HVP, and aspartame.

"Great! more to worry about", you might say. But I personally garantee the benefits far outweigh the time you might spend in the beginning, working out what things are safe to eat.

Offkey is also absolutely correct. Everything that lives, anywhere, knows that too much of anything can disrupt the tiny tightrope that life exists on. Too much air, and we choke. Too much water, and we drown. Too little of anything can also be fatal. Nuts are no differrent to anything else in this respect.

The above applies to Wendy l's answer too. work out what things you must intake to keep levels just right, and exactly how much for you only (don't go by RDI, see a dietician).

Beebs needs to read the answer by VeganJack I think. Hopefully she will change her tune.

Lillyian - re cravings: needs to read up a bit on amino acids, particularly the effect of tryptophan on the brain. Good links though.

Lativia is correct that an unbalanced or poorly disciplined and/or managed vegan diet can have the opposite effect to what is desired. Take care.

George W is wise and trusting to say those nice things about our kind. It's not an absolute truth in all cases, but more than 95% are vegan for reasons of compassion, so that extends to other people too.

Millie had some friendly, relatively impartial and almost completely accurate advice to offer. Good on ya Millie!

Connie b: I hope the idea of satisfying cravings is never thought of as repulsive. That would be telling your body that it wants something it shouldn't, and it is a bad body for asking. self hate and a drop in esteem result.
For every craving that exists, physical, chemical, emotional, psychological, or sociological, there are always atleast 2 vegan options for satisfying youself. Human physiology needs nothing from animal flesh.

Lastly, Vegan & Proud has offered some more excellent links.

So that's my point of view on other answerers answers. Heres my own, pure and simple:

First, work out your motivation(s).
Second, speak to a dietician, or become one (lol).
Third, Talk to as many people as you can, vegan, vegetarian, raw foodists, lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, and average Joes. Absorb lots of information, sifting as you go. Write down the best bits!
Forth, experiment. Forget using recipe books till your kitchen is full of the ingredients you'll need to achieve what the recipies require. Start by just grabbing a few random things and creating something new and abstract and exciting. While doing this, research the kind of vegan you want to be: YES, you have further options before you. "Only a sith deals in absolutes," said Obi Wan Kenobi, so the question is how close to absolutely vegan do you want to be, and can you sustain that degree of discipline?
Fifth, Once you know who and what you are, you can begin to look for people who are as similar as possible to you, your choices, values, limitations, etc. The closer the similarities, the more you'll feel supported and assisted in this transition.
Sixth, set up a daily routine of the minimum things you must give yourself: daily dose of iron, B12, K, etc. Set up another routine for weekly, monthly, etc, with an awesome calender on the fridge, and establish lots of contacts where you can source the products you need.
Seventh, remain vigilant at all times. You must think of yourself as the student till the end of your natural life, regardless of how much you think you know relative to most other people. When you stop learning you may stop caring, and you'll definately become arrogant and /or condescending. Been there, done that.
Eighth, hope!
Ninth, Stay positive, in mind and spirit. If you surround yourself with negative vibes, you may feel disconnected. If you associate that feeling with being around other vegans, you may begin to doubt the benefits of being vegan yourself. Being vegan is totally about connecting with others, particularly those that may otherwise be on your plate. Remind vegans of that whenever they forget - I know there are a lot of organisations founded by people who have forgotten that, naming their org after a phrase that intrinsically disconnects people.
Tenth, Love thy neighbour! The omnivour is only omnivorous because they know no better, have been brainwashed by advertising, or prefer the sensation of tasting animal. Ignorance is so very much a valid defence. We are the people we've been waiting for. Let's change the world together.

Welcome to a life of compassion. Eat well, play well, live well.

Enjoy awareness NOW!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Hey Ace. Lots of missinformation here on these boards.
I've been vegan 11 years and thrive on it. you simply need
to eat a wide variety of foods, eat the rainbow, all the different
colors of veggies. nuts, beans, tofu, veggie burgers are good in some quantity, but your real vibrance will come from the fresh veggies. Regarding Beebs who wrote about the cows 'freely giving' their milk, wow !! ?? get informed girl !

Cows have to be pregnant to give milk. They are forcibley inseminated on a thing called a 'rape rack' their babies are taken away to be made into *veal* so that the milk can be
sold to humans. Every glass of milk, or piece of cheese
says *yes* veal is okay.... veal is a byproduct of the dairy
industry... the cows don't freely give it. the moms mourn for their young, the calfs cry for their moms.

www.notmilk.com

egg laying chickens have brutal fates as well, even the "free range" http://www.upc-online.org/freerange.html

whenever one species uses another species for monetary gain, the $$ will always take precedence over the subjugated being. think slavery folks... Go vegan. www.vegan.com

for recepies. www.vegsource.com

for the aniamals,

jack

Answer 3

I'm not a vegan, and would never become one, but I'd suggest you go to a forum for vegans. That would probably help on a daily basis. They usually have recipes as well. I really hope you know everything about vitamins, etc. so as not to have any deficiency (right word?) Also, if you eat well at each meal, and maybe have a snack at 10 and one at 4 or 5, you shouldn't have cravings. I think you should eat large quantities so as to fill your stomach and not feel hungry.

ps: I've just had a look at the vegan pyramid. Be careful with nuts. My uncle (although not a vegan) used to eat nuts all the time during the day (he works in markets, and has to stand in the cold all day). Well, he went to the doctor for a check-up, and the doctor actually told him to stop eating nuts because he had too much of something in his body, and it was quite dangerous. Who would have thought that of nuts? Remember that too much of everything can be dangerous. Regularly checks different sources for your info.

Answer 4

Be prepared to meet a lot of rude people..just look at this forum from meat eaters that are clueless .....who put there two cents in and that is about all it is worth ..you just have to read ingredients n everything..because they sneak meat and dairy into things you would never expect..when you eat out always ask what it is cooked in especially soups , rice dishes, and dressings....since you say you have researched I am sure you know just eat healthy and eat everything acceptable...there are many sites on line for vegan clothing and shoes..moo shoes..alternative outfitters.. , ...you can also shop on line at sites like Pangea for food and body products ...but there are lots...you have to watch even vitamins some may have animal by products ..others the shell is made from gelatin...as all of us ..sometimes you will get something wrong or accidentally not realize...you deal with it , and just move on.....and when people ask you about being a rabbit and eating carrots...I say it is better then the alternative that you eat .......rotting dead animal cadavers....I will be the bunny anytime.....as for cravings go on line to farm sanctuary .com and view factory farming photos or Peta's free on line videos of factory farming (which is now 80 percent in this country) you cravings will go until one day it will all repulse you..LOL..Good luck to you and congrats!!

Answer 5

Good for you! Ive been a vegetarian for about 8 years now, and its one of the best choices I ever made, its so much better for you, and the animals. Im pretty sure you probably know this but make sure your taking a daily multi vitamin. This isnt compleatly necessary but helps out a ton, because without it your gonna have to carefully plan each meal out to make sure your eating something that has enough vitamin b12, calcium, protein etc. Theres alot of really good products that resemble meat out there that you can eat to supress cravings... for example morningstar farms makes a great fake ground beef that you can make excellent tacos, lasagina etc. with. I really reccomend the tacos....they taste just like the real thing if u put taco seasoning in them.

I own this book called vegetarian journals guide to food ingreadents that is really helpful, theres alot of foods that you wouldnt expect to have meat or meat by products in them that do....this way you can understand the huge words on ingredents lists, this book will become your best friend :] heres the site where you can buy it http://www.vrg.org/catalog/fing.htm

also if my info wasnt enough peta gives away an awesome vegetarian starter kit you should request, its got all sorts of cool info, stickers etc. Its compleatly free no gimics or bullshit they just care about the animals. Heres the site to get that
http://www.goveg.com/order.asp

If you look around on peta.com they offer all sorts of helpful info/recipies just spend awhile on there site you will be better informed....and if you read some of there fact sheets on what really happens to the poor animals you see in the grocery stores you wont be having anymore cravings for awhile.


Good luck, hope this helped!

Answer 6

I only started being a vegetarian last year so I cant help a lot about becoming vegan but I do know that vegans don't lie and eat fish and tell people that they are vegetarian. I also know that a vegan wouldn't want to keep a cow pregnant to get milk or keep chickens caged up to get eggs!

Answer 7

First you should know why you want to become a vegan. Spiritual reason? Because you want to experiment? Fashion? Diet?
Personally I believe that you can have Indian recipes and get some Dall, badjia, spinach...
Only thing as you are changing your habit, I would go progressively to don't have a violent change.
Good luck.

Answer 8

Being Vegan takes a lot of protein and other stuff out of your diet. But if you follow the food Vegan food pyramid you can really add that stuff back in to stay healthier. Also pay close attention to the back of some boxes. Some stuff have animal ingredients that you wouldn't know it had.

Have fun! And there are tons of recipes out there that are great for Vegan's.

Answer 9

You will have to deal with a lot of uneducated and ill-informed people who will tell you that your life will be boring and you will not have enough protein or iron.

You will deal with a lot of rude and ignorant people who say brilliant things such as, "if we're not supposed to eat animals then why are they made out of meat, hyuck hyuck" and "oh that there baby carrot screamed when you pulled it, der-de-deeer."

You know, fun stuff like that.
:)

When you crave meat, you are often craving the fat and grease meat contains. Make a dish using olive oil and your body will get the junk it wanted.
When you crave chocolate, it is not because you body needs the *nutrients* it provides.

Good luck
Come and ask the V&V section anything.

Great recipe websites:
http://www.fatfreevegan.com
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Everyday-Cooking/Vegetarian/Main.aspx
http://vegweb.com/

Oh yes, if a recipe includes someting you can't have, substitute; no need to discard the whole thing.
http://www.veganstore.com
http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-GXLd3H0hc6klMFe3HeGqSDn7SVlgijZ53gHnrrlGNoFgNut5?list=1

Answer 10

it's going to be a difficult adjustment, but defintitely doable.

just remember that there's more to vegan protein than tofu! Try quinoa, seitan, tempeh. Whole grains are veryimportant! Millet, bulgur, brown rice, etc.

casein, whey, & gelatin are meat products.

and don't become a "junk food vegetarian"- it's very unhealthy!!

buy the cookbook "Vegan with a Vengence!"

Answer 11

Just try and stay away from prcoessed foods so you don't have to read any labels.The cookbook Vegan with A Vengeance is a pretty good cookbook.It has breakfasts,lunches and dinners,even desserts.Alot of people ask me what I eat so,here is what I usually eay just to give you some ideas

b-fast-cream of wheat,fruit smoothie(with flax seed oil) with two pieces of toast(whole grain) and jelly

snack-pumpkin seeds,walnuts,any nuts

lunch-something simple like beans and rice

snack-raw frutis and veggies

dinner-I like to cook my dinners on the weekend so I can just heat them up during the week,I usually cook something from a cookbook or whatever I feel like making

These are all good websites...
http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/food_groups.html

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/index.html

http://www.sugarrocket.com/vegan/vegan-tips.php

http://www.chooseveg.com/vegan_food_pyramid.asp?bandwidth=low&rate=33

http://www.andrews.edu/NUFS/Vegan%20Children.html

This site has vegan shoes-(only Rowley's are vegan)
http://shop.vans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10101_300269_-1

http://shop.vans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10101_303755_-1

http://shop.vans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10101_304227_-1

This site has everything you could need
http://veganessentials.com/