After reading the book "Skinny *****" I recently decided to make the huge leap into becoming a vegan. I have ate all vegan friendly foods (no meat, fish, honey, dairy, sugar, lots of candies and even changed my toothpaste) for the last month. I am still learning about what restrictions I have, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. The book has a long list of hidden ingrediants to look for and their definition. I am shocked at all the ways animals are incorporated into the foods I was used to consuming. Does anyone know of any good publications or websites that may aid me in this new lifestyle. I have had lots of ridicule from half of my family and the other half seems supportive. Also, my husband has no interest in joining me on this diet, but also doesn't want me to put our two children on it either.
2007-10-01 05:11:51 · 19 answers · asked by wtrmlnqueen 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
I'm happy for your voyage. But just so you know...
You have to realize that book is one-sided, much like anything from Michael Moore. Healthy meats have a mulititude of exceptional health benefits, especially fish, such as salmon. And though you may think popping vitamins and pomegranate juice and changing your toothpaste might make up for your losses, thats incredibly false.
MEAT. The only way to live.
2007-10-01 05:22:18 · answer #1 · answered by Brad 3 · 2⤊ 7⤋
"take calcium cause your bones will get weaker as you grow older"?
Here are some facts taken from The PCRM site:
"Researchers have clearly established that animal proteins increase the loss of calcium by increasing the amount of calcium your kidneys remove from the blood and excrete in the urine. When people avoid animal proteins, their calcium losses are cut to less than half of what they had been."
"Protein is not a problem on vegetarian diets, because plant foods have plenty of protein. Any normal variety of plant products contains more than enough protein for the body’s needs.
Calcium is found in abundance in green leafy vegetables and beans. You’ll also find a very rich source of calcium in fortified orange juice. Also, plant-based diets actually reduce the amount of calcium that is lost through the kidneys each day.
Iron balance tends to be better on pure vegetarian diets than on other diets. Green leafy vegetables and legumes (beans, peas, and lentils) are rich in a form of iron that is more absorbable if your body needs more iron and less absorbable when your body already has plenty of iron. Avoiding dairy products helps, because they contain virtually no iron and can actually inhibit iron absorption."
"It is hard to turn on the television without hearing commercials suggesting that milk promotes strong bones. The commercials do not point out that only 30 percent of milk's calcium is absorbed by the body or that osteoporosis is common among milk drinkers. Nor do they help you correct the real causes of bone loss."
-Dr. Neal Barnard
Every person that makes a life change runs into trouble with relatives/friends. Your family is simply not comfortable with the fact that there's gonna be someone at the table reminding them that using animals is wrong. For the animals, for us, for the environment. Be strong and don't forsake your ideals just because it's hard.
Now don't try to avoid EVERY animal product, just the obvious ones, like hmmm, steak and eggs... Otherwise you'll get frustrated.
-Ms. Green
2007-10-01 05:57:30 · answer #2 · answered by greenwonderland 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"Skinny *****" has a pretty good list of stuff that is safe to eat. As they point out, it's about replacing your old junk food with new junk food.
If you're worried about animal testing, check out www.CompassionateConsumer.com. Many of the products are veg-friendly, but they do list companies that use honey, beeswax, lanolin, and a few other icky ingredients.
Lush is also a good company with lots of vegan bath and body stuff; they have a stringent policy against animal testing. J/A/S/O/N, Nature's Gate, Pangea Organics, Avalon--all make vegan-friendly stuff and are available at your local natural foods store.
Check out www.vegweb.com for recipes and resources for vegans.
www.happycow.net and www.vegdining.com will lead you to vegetarian and veg-friendly restaurants in your area.
A couple of shopping sites: www.veganstore.com and www.veganessentials.com. You can now get vegan gum!
Ignore those who ridicule you. You're doing what's right for you, and hopefully your husband will be more supportive as time passes and agree to eat less meat, even if they don't go on your diet. There are lots of great analogues out there.
2007-10-01 16:03:31 · answer #3 · answered by VeggieTart -- Let's Go Caps! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please remember that veganism is a lifestyle, not just what you eat. Vegans don’t wear leather, fur, or wool, buy products from companies that conduct non-required animal toxicity tests:
http://www.caringconsumer.com/pdfs/companiesDoTest.pdf
Or frequent zoos, rodeos, circuses, or other places where animals are held in captivity or forced to perform.
Also, it’s about economics. It doesn’t matter if you give the chicken on your chicken salad to someone else. The restaurant gave you that chicken, and are going to have to buy more to replace it. Economically, you might as well have eaten it. Also, if you buy meat/ dairy for your family YOU ARE NOT A VEGAN! You are still giving your money to industries that torture animals to make unhealthy products, regardless of whether you eat it.
You have just as much say as your husband when it comes to your children's lifestyle, if not more, as the vegan diet is far healthier. At least convince your husband to raise them vegetarian.
2007-10-03 02:42:19 · answer #4 · answered by Elizabeth J 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Become familiar with common animal ingredients.
Here are a few ingredient lists (to add to the one that you already have)
http://www.ivu.org/faq/animal_derived.html
--> http://www.ivu.org/faq/index.html
http://www.veganpeace.com/ingredients/ingredients.htm
http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=72
Triple check ingredient labels before buying food. Sometimes you'll buy something and not realize that it has animal crap in it until you get it home. Or worse you get it home, crap it open, start cooking it and go, "Hmmm why does this smell/taste like chicken?". Which makes you decide to look over the tiny printed ingredients one more time. Then you realize what's happening, and feel the need to run quickly to the bathroom and -- do I have to say anymore? :]
Sometimes that stuff is easy to overlook.
There are tons of sites... Here are just a few:
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/
http://www.ivu.org/archives.html
http://www.vegansociety.com/html/food/nutrition/
http://www.vegan.org/about_veganism/
http://www.veganwolf.com/
http://www.goveg.com/
There are a lot of good books, I flipped through "Vegan Freak" (I can afford to be buying brand new books though...) but from what I've read it looks really good.
Here it is on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Freak-Being-Non-Vegan-World/dp/0977080412/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7492775-5930568?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191256179&sr=8-1
Just click the image and you'll be able to read an excerpt.
Take a trip to your local book store and browse the vegetarian section... you should find loads of good books.
Most of us have probably had our share of ridicule. It is really annoying at first, but really some people just have nothing better to do than to make fun of others. The best way to deal with it is to just ignore it as much as possible. And when you just can’t bite your tongue anymore, know enough about the subject to really let them have it! :] Or at least make it so they don’t want to lecture you about your life anymore…that’s always fun.
As far as your husband situation goes, if he really doesn't want to become a vegetarian then it's his choice. My boyfriend is a meat-eater and I am a strict vegetarian, we get along fine and we have been for years. Don't let the fact that you choose to live differently then him get in your way.
Just don't bother him about what he eats as long as he doesn't dip his "milky" coffee spoon in your raw sugar... LOL
About the kids, I don't have kids so my advice comes from no experience. But if your husband sees how healthy and happy you are from switching to a vegan diet, he will probably come around sooner or later.
And I just have to add (because I saw some answers that told you to take supplements)
If you watch what you eat, there is no need for any kind of supplement.
You can get all of your vitamins and nutrients from plant foods.
Good luck :]
2007-10-01 05:55:03 · answer #5 · answered by Allie 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think you can make that soup. Kale Salad ========= Chop/Tear/Slice 2 bunches of kale Top with Ani Phios Sunflower Thyme Dressing (or your favorite raw dressing) 1 clove garlic 1 tbs apple cider vinegar 1 tbs dried thyme 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, soaked for a few hours, drained and rinsed 1 cup extra virgin olive oil (I’ve also tried 3/4 oil and 1/4 water with success if you don’t want all the oil) sea salt to taste Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. (Left over dressing maybe kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks) Tacos Fill cabbage leaves with red pepper, cucumber, corn, 1/2 avocado and a little lime juice (adding ground mushrooms adds more texture and flavor!) Use fresh diced tomatoes, cilantro and lime juice as your raw salsa Banana Ice Cream ============= 1-2 frozen bananas Blend in food processor or blender with your favorite raw flavoring, such a cacao, vanilla, or fresh berries (this is where a Yonanas machine comes in handy!) The raw vegan transition and diet isn’t as hard as one would think. The food is just as easy to prepare and the taste/quality is impeccable!
2016-04-06 22:37:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please feel good about your choice - many many people have "special" diets, either for medical reasons or totally by choice, somehow everyone picks on vegans...
The nutritional comment I agree with here is the one about needing B12 - which is in most fortified soy/rice milks. Please buy enriched soy milk (we use Soy Dream) and you will get plenty of B12. Vanilla is very good in coffee (they use it at Starbucks)
Lots of people mention good websites, there are also great cookbooks with both simple and elaborate meals that are really family friendly. I particularly like Tofu and Soy Cookery by Peter Golbitz. There are more - check out the cookbook section of your local bookstore.
Your whole family will like it if you learn to cook vegan - no one wants a week of raw tofu on a plate, so learn to use it as you would meat, and you can just sub it into your regular recipes.
Good luck!
2007-10-01 07:23:38 · answer #7 · answered by SA38 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Wow.. That's Amazing. [: I'm glad you've decided to make "The Switch"
I've been Vegetarian for the past 4 months. I'm trying to wean myself into Veganism next.
I totally have to get that book!
Here are some sites that may aid you in your journey:
www.Peta.com
www.Peta2.com (For teens, But i find it useful as well)
www.AlternativeOutfitters.com (Clothes, Shoes, Bags, Makeup)
www.BeautyWithoutCruelty.com (Vegan Makeup)
www.EccoBella.com (Vegan Makeup)
www.EyesLipsFace.com (Vegan cosmetics) - I Love It!
www.VegWeb.com (Vegan/Vegetarian Recipes)
www.GoVeg.com
www.VeganSociety.org
From the links above, Some of them offer Free Vegetarian Starter kits. And some you can just download. [:
I really hope this helps you, And I want to wish you the best of luck!
Peace and Love <3
2007-10-01 05:37:11 · answer #8 · answered by pj! 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I am really sorry that you have gotten so many negative, off-topic answers to your question. As some have pointed out, goveg.com is a good source. Also, the vegetarian society and even PETA can be helpful.
And to all of the people trying to discourage her by telling her she will be malnourished and will need to take supplements, please stop spreading misinformation. There are tens of thousands (at least) of very healthy vegans out there who have never had to take a supplement, including myself. If done remotely correctly, veganism is an extremely healthy diet.
2007-10-01 05:52:02 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
OK, good for you if that is what you want. I have no problem.
But I have a very serious question, fertilizer is from animal products so don't vegans have to go totally organic on everything they do eat?
Alright it bugs the crap out of me when people say "humans have canine teeth for eating meat" People we also still have tail bones but our tails are long gone!!!!!
I am not a veggie, but I have seen the benefits in cutting back on my consumption of red meat.
2007-10-01 05:28:47 · answer #10 · answered by BlueSea 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The one thing I can caution you about (because I have done a lot of research on this) is the B12 deficiency. You can find some articles to the contrary, but they are just wrong. If you are going to go 100% vegan, you really need to supplement your vitamins, especially B12. If you don't this can really damage your nerves and brain later in life.
2007-10-01 05:24:55 · answer #11 · answered by cowboy in scrubs 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋