Vegan choices...?

Question

I have been a vegetarian since I was very young. I thrive on dairy and cheese though. Since summer began I have been eating more vegetables and fresh fruit, just trying to be healthy. I Love the taste of soy products, and so I have thought about becoming vegan. I know that it wont be easy and It will take some time for it to actually become a lifestyle, but I was just hoping for any advice. What are good protein alternatives, ways to feel full, alternatives to eggs, etc... Thanks!

Answer 1

Nuts, Beans
Here's a super article by Dr. John McDougall on Vegan Protein sources
http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2007nl/apr/dairy.htm

Answer 2

Every plant has a bit of protein and if you eat a varied plat-based diet, you get enough protein. If you're too worried about protein, which you shouldn't be because it's overrated and based on an outdated studies from the early 1900's, try quinoa. It's a delicious seed that acts like a grain and it a nutritional powerhouse.
If you're baking, you can used things such as a mashed up banana, applesauce, a blended flax seed and water mix, or an egg replacer like ener-g.
There's also scrambled tofu for breakfast.
A good resource in its beginnings is
http://veganjacks.blogspot.com

Answer 3

I used to love dairy products also, but have found the most wonderful alternative in cashews. I make cream, cream cheese, ice cream, milk, and many other items from raw organic cashews. Raw organic nuts are very filling and contain beneficial fat, protein, minerals, and vitamins.

For eggs in recipes you can use kuzu root powder or Egg Replacer by a company called Ener-G Foods:

http://www.ener-g.com/

Avoid soy products. Constituents of soy block the absorption of minerals and inhibit enzymes. Consumption of soy is linked to birth defects, brain damage, certain cancers, thyroid damage, and endocrine disruption, to name just a few problems as outlined in a new article in the Utne Reader:

http://www.utne.com/issues/2007_142/features/12607-1.html

Vegetables are an excellent source of protein. Green leafy vegetables are a good way to go, and broccoli consists of over fifty percent protein.

Legumes (beans) can be difficult to digest, sprouting them makes them more digestible. I love making hummus from sprouted chickpeas and raw tahini. Absolutely fabulous!

Here's a few links to recipes:

http://www.thegetrealdiet.com/realfood.htm
http://www.living-foods.com/recipes/
http://vegweb.com/index.php?board=555.0

Also, search for a vegan potluck group near you, to get ideas and support.

Bon appetit!

Answer 4

You were triving DESPITE milk and eggs. Protein is over-rated, and I'm tired of PHD's debating protein using modern chemistry knowledge. God/Nature didn't mess up. You can get what you need from any diet. Don't these PHD's know about the Amino Acid Pool???

They don't know about ME. Or the millions of healthy vegans.

Answer 5

Celtic Tejas has suggeted Dr.John Mc Dougall's web site.-I read it -I do not agree with him-I agree with the references Dr,John himself has cited in the beginning of his article;-
_______________________________________________

Although plant proteins form a large part of the human diet, most are deficient in 1 or more essential amino acids and are therefore regarded as incomplete proteins. (American Heart Association)

Plant protein sources, although good for certain essential amino acids, do not always offer all nine essential amino acids in a single given food. For example, legumes lack methionine, while grains lack lysine. (Tufts Human Nutrition Research Center)

Single plant protein foods usually are lower in protein quality than most animal proteins because they lack significant amounts of various essential amino acids. (Tufts University Medical School)

Other protein sources lack one or more amino acids that the body can't make from scratch or create by modifying another amino acid. Called incomplete proteins, these usually come from fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. (Harvard School of Public Health)

Plant sources of protein (grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds) generally do not contain sufficient amounts of one or more of the essential amino acids. Thus protein synthesis can occur only to the extent that the limiting amino acids are available. (Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University)
_______________________________________________
My opinion continues:-Ifully agree with the above statements.I have taught Nutrition for B.Sc.-M.Sc-(Nutrition & Dietitics Students and was Examiner also for 18 years-in India- I am a Lacto-Vegetarian) Vegetable Proteins lack the 10 Essential Amino Acids (MATTVIPHLY) at varying amounts and they are NOT in the proportion they should be in an Ideal Protein)-(Examples-Milk Caesin and Egg Albumin) (Harper's Amino Acid Imbalance)and Veg,Proteins' P.E.R value is very Poor.Lacto Vegetarianism/or Lacto-ovo Vegetarianism are better if one wants avoid meat.

Answer 6

there is one link that is vegan lifestyle and another that is foods legumes,are good ,,pinto,lima,soy,all types of beans are good for proteins do a lot of research





http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=ytff-tyc7&p=vegan+recipes