Vegans/vegetarians only please?

Question

I want to hear from people who are vegan (and healthy!!) and yet don't use ANY soya at all, or any other "meat replacement" stuff. For me it's important that if I believe veganism is the proper way for humans to eat, then I shouldn't need a replacement for meat, or other animal products either (milk, for example)!! The problem I have with soya by the way is that I don't believe we are meant to eat it any more than we are meant to eat animals - there are too many health risks associated with consuming it. What are people's thoughts on this?

As frighteningly few people answering this question seem to be aware that there even IS a health debate about soy, never mind that as vegetarians/vegans it is vital that they know something about it, I thought I'd post a few links. This is because these sites describe my concerns more eloquently than I can in this small space and may do something to alert you to the fact that this stuff is not entirely benign - anything but, in fact.

http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/
http://www.mercola.com/2004/jan/21/soy.htm

The second link, you have to subscribe to - but it is free and WELL worth it since there are lots of extremely informative, though-provoking articles on it about soy. There are many many more - just google "soy danger", "soy health risks" and DO YOUR HOMEWORK if you eat a lot of soy.

And for the record soy is NOT, and never has been, a "staple" food in Asia. They eat it in really very small quantities and certainly do not derive the majority of their protein from it!

It strikes me in any case that an alternative diet/way of life is a pretty poor one if all it tries to do is imitate the "norm" (but as I see it, not the natural!). So this is why I want to avoid "meat replacement" products - and "milk substitutes" as well - if we as a species had never thought of using another creature's flesh or mammary secretions as sustenance then it would also never have occurred to us that we could try and simulate alternatives. It's like saying to the world, "See, see! We CAN eat like you, look!" when I think that we ought to be saying "We eat differently.".

Answer 1

Good topic. I'm vegan here (2 years) and veggie for a couple years before that. I'm one of those nearly soy-free vegans. At cause of celebration I may eat a soy ice cream, but rarely ever. I understand exactly what you are saying.An overindulgence of soya is probably not good. TOO MUCH of anything can't be good. The problem is that of the current myth that vegetarians and vegans don't consume enough protein, and that old misconception (back in the days before cholesterol was even discovered)
that no plant protein is a complete protein (or consisting of all essential amino acids). Of course both ideas were completely unfounded. Soy protein, itself consists of all amino acids. As well, a well-balanced meal, without soya, would contain all essential amino acids. The real problem is the myth that vegetarians and vegans don't consume enough protein (in comparison to the traditional meat american who consumes more than twice his daily need). Therefore all newly vegetarians and vegans typically feel that they need to gain extra protein in their diet (more so vegans because they don't recieve any animal protein).

Now there is plenty of literature out there on the dangers of soy, (go to amazon and type "soy danger" or something of the like). But don't forget that the dairy industry (who is married to the meat industry) doesn't want you consuming soy products in place of their cash cow, and they have hefty sums secured solely to delegitimize soy on the market. Supposedly the main concern of soya is its affect on hormones (think about how it is sub-marketed to women with menopause), It is claimed that it makes Men more effeminate. And that young children raised on soya be more transgendered, boys grow boobs, girls grow mustaches. (Please Remember: this is exactly what they said about marijuana in the 1940's). This concern is a completel joke now, as it was in 1940. Though I will say this, I've known a few soy milk junkies who ranged from orgasm addict to asexual, with few and far between, (these are a carton a day kinda kids).

But all in all, most soya mock meats are Genetically Modified Food Products which all in all are extremely detrimental to you long term health.

Answer 2

Vegetarian right right here sista! Becoming a vegetarian is a first-rate suggestion. One of my friends do not devour beef given that of his faith too. Is it Muslim? I'm now not definite... But definite the animals are dealt with very badly and improper! That's why I grew to be a vegetarian, i ended ingesting bird and turkey at an excessively younger age due to the fact that I adored birds plenty. However now i've feelings for cows, pigs, fish and so forth. ... Becoming a vegetarian would possibly cut down out a sort of meals out on what you more often than not consume, however makes you check out many specific and extra foods! I get my proteins from ingesting so much beans, eggs, and substitution meat. Milk is a first-class give of calcium! Though if you are making plans on fitting vegan... That implies no milk, eggs, honey, or some other stuff that comes from an animal... Would now not that still imply no cookies, cake, ice cream?! I haven't any suggestion if i can be capable to control being a vegan, however i'm going to become one if my eggs and milk are from cows and chickens which can also be saved in small cages. I additionally do not consume products established on animals like Mar's sweet, Nestle, Unilever and tons of distinct products! Worthington has many delicious vegetarian meals!

Answer 3

I guess one of the problems is that Soya Bean Juice has been labelled as Soya Milk - it is as much a milk as coconut milk i.e. it's the juice of a bean. Maybe Soya drink would be a better description. It is considered by omnivores to be a milk substitute that a majority of their Vegan friends will accept. Amongst a lot of Vegans it's just something to drink. Similarly with Rice Milk - it's water and rice extracts that make a palatable drink. I presume your "replacement animal products" would also include homemade cake/puddings and biscuits/cookies as the majority of these are made for omnivores & use eggs and dairy - but I'm afraid you'd be missing out on some amazing food. On the other hand I don't see that there would be a problem leaving out soya, as long as you are happy to eat other beans. Soya is rich in protein but so are a lot of other non animal foods. As with any way of eating, it's better to have a healthy balance of (good) fats, protein, minerals and vitamins and carbohydrates.

Answer 4

I've never heard of any health risks associated with soya, and certainly nothing that measures up to the health risks of meat and dairy.

I don't eat meat substitutes regularly. Only if I go to someones house and they've made it for me because I feel rude not eating it.

I do eat foods with soya in them however. I enjoy porridge with soya milk and sometimes eat tofu and soya yogurts. There are other foods with complete proteins in though (quinoa for example) so I'm sure you could be a veggie and avoid soya. Also some people don't like the taste.

Answer 5

Why would you think we're not meant to eat soy? People in Asian countries have been eating it for hundreds of years...it's just a bean, like any other bean. You can eat soybeans plain or you can eat tofu or you can have soymilk. The problem with the meat analogues is not the soy, but the other chemicals in them, which is why you shouldn't eat them all the time but they're ok for a special treat if you like them. There are not any health risks with consuming soy in moderation. A lot of people go vegetarian and expect to eat nothing but soy in the way that they used to eat nothing but meat, so they end up being unhealthy and claim that being veggie is expensive.

Answer 6

I am not vegan and have not given up fish, but I wanted to respond because I do use a lot of soy. The health risks you refer to apply only to the supplements containing isoflavones to treat menopause-not to whole soy products. The isoflavone content of these products is not concentrated enough to pose a risk. Asian people have been consuming soy for thousands of years-do you mean to say they have been going against the natural order all that time?
Lastly, let me say that I use soy products because I like them, not as a "meat substitute". I was eating Boca and Gardenburger before I ever gave up meat. Soy is not a meat replacement, it is a source of protein, which your body requires for health.

Answer 7

Why do you think there are health risks associated with consuming soya? I am a vegetarian too and i think soya is very good because it is rich in protein-about 30%. And milk is important too. It has vitamin B12 which is not present in any other vegetarian foods. If you purely vegetarian, you will need both soya and milk. If you want to avoid soya, you can consume mushrooms.They are rich in protein too.

Answer 8

I have been a vegetarian since I was 8 years old (on my own accord) and I am now a vegan.

I've been through some 'phases' about what I choose to eat and how I feel about it. (never animal products, so don't worry).

During one vegetarian 'phase' I could eat cheese although couldn't stand eatting soy or fake meat, they made me throw up. Now I drink alot more soy than ever before, and eat fake meats, this is more geographically than anything, as I am living in small potatoe ireland, and they don't have much in the way of vegetables, or anything really vegetarian friendly.

I was told NOT to drink soy by my Doctor because of my endometriosis, which is effected by estrogene, found in products like soy and tofu. These foods put me in alot of pain to the point that I could walk.
Oddly enough, endometriosis, seems to have vanished, unexplaind and I have no pain with soy intact, although I do feel a bit moody during my cycle due to the hormones.

Young children shouldn't drink soy for this reason, or in smaller amount.

I will only drink organic soy and organic tofu to insure it hasn't been GM, and other reasons.

Soy is a by product, cheap, easy to grow, strong crops. It is used in way too many things, I look at non organic soy as a by-product that can be dangerous to your health and I never eat it.

Try rice milk, I love the flavour, a little runny for coffee though.
In coffee soy makes what I call "miso soup", where it separates and looks like miso soup! Add the soy on top of the coffee fast and stir fast!

You can also try almond milk, high in protein and very very yummy, rather dear in price though. Or make you own (I like to for Christmas etc). Use the left over almonds, mixed with honey for almond cookies.

Watch for milk, eggs, etc in fake meat as they use it for binding the ingredients together. It's very hard to find vegan ones.

I love nut burgers, which are like fake meat I guess, but not at all. I could live off nut burgers! Make them or buy them.

So to sum it up, I agree with the health concerns. I would be careful what you eat and drink and look out for GM products.
I do however like some fake meat now, and do use it as a replacement, although once I live somewhere a little more accecible (I also don't have a car!!) I will most like discontinue these 'fakes', but continue with my lovely nut burgers.

You questions was rather open to alot of ideas, so I think I may have jumped around alot in thought, hope this gives you some insight in what another vegans eatting habbits are like (although, you may not agree with them).

I would call myself "healthy" although like many other people, do get sick, recent attack of strep throat.

My partner has been a vegetarian for 8 years and is now vegan, and he is doing AMAZING. He lived off yogurt and now is the modle of health and his weight is now under control. He is 6'5 and has a large build, but becoming vegan he is stronger, thinner, and his hair is growing faster and looks more shinny. He also eats soy products.

Answer 9

If you eat a balanced vegetarian diet you dont need Soya, though theres nothing wrong with Soya as such. I dont eat much soya (once in few months) and pretty much fit n fine.

Answer 10

well it's not just us vegans/vegetarians who need the supplements- alot of the crucial vitamins in most of today's food have been replaced with empty calories. i am a vegan and i live off of natural foods, such as broccoli for calcium, whole wheat for fiber, beans for protein, and so on and so forth. i think everyone could use a more balanced diet and a closer look at their daily diet- not just vegans! =]