Becoming a vegan?

Question

Just how hard is it?

Answer 1

It can be to begin with.
I tried it last year for lent and found that it tended to end up costing a bit more. On the other hand, many people don't realize that in the long run you can save money on expensive medical bills and health problems by choosing veganism.

It can also be much harder (though definitely not impossible) to eat out.

It's important to make sure that you're attaining enough vitamin B12 too, of which animal products are a reliable source. However, this can also be derived from bacteria & fungi (i.e. mushrooms), Marmite/yeast spreads and fortified soya milks, margarine and cereals.

Another thing that I found particuarly irrating was how arrogant some people were in reaction to my dietry choice. Everyone seems determined in stereotyping you as some sort of animal rights zealot or “hippy in tennis shoes” who eats noting but lettuce. It’s funny really; most meat-eaters are perfectly happy with eating a vegan meal so long as they’re not actually aware of it!

EDIT
Remember though, while some of these may seem like good reasons not to actually go vegan, they are also excuses. Try it for a couple of weeks and see how you get on. Don't feel guilty if you find it too hard to stick to. It's not a cult, you can quit any time.

Answer 2

It's not hard to become a vegan. I suggest slowly cutting meat and dairy out of your diet instead of just quitting "cold turkey."

As long as you're getting the right amounts of vitamins and minerals in your diet through nutritious foods or a veg*an formulated supplement. Make sure it's a veg*an one (no fish oil, no gelatin, no whey, etc) You can get the supplements at any GNC.

It's not hard to stay on the vegan path once you start to notice you feel better and more energetic. It can be tough when some of the foods you really want, you can't eat, but where there's a will, there's a way. You can always research vegan recipes and find the vegan alternative to whatever food it is that you're hanker'n for.

Answer 3

It's an adjustment, but once you get used to it and you figure out what you can and cannot eat, it's not so hard. The longer you do it, the easier it is. Not many people go from omnivore to vegan; most people are vegetarian for a while and segue to veganism. Some people are vegetarian for 20 years before going vegan and others go vegan in a matter of months after cutting out meat.

If you want to make this transition, you should go at a pace that feels right for you. Check out www.vegweb.com for recipes and all-around information.

Answer 4

I'm trying to do it now. Its not easy! Theres a lot to learn about nutrition and alternative sources for some of your nutrients - Im experimenting with different vegan meals a lot, some is boring and some is awesome. I totally gave up meat and fish 3 months ago. I dont really get hungry for meat anymore now, but my husband cooked bacon the other day and I got a wee craving :-) Now for a month I'm moving toward being vegan, but it takes awhile to learn how to read food labels and although I love soymilk, I'm finding it soooo hard to give up cheese! The biggest problem is trying to find something to eat when you are out of home - the world does not cater to vegans! I have to make all my own meals and carry bags of nuts and fruit in my handbag and car. I also got an outbreak of pimples this week, I suppose from the change in my diet, mainly now beans, grains, fruit and veges. Its healthy and I feel really good though. I'd recommend it, but it does take quite a bit of work and a lot of commitment.

Answer 5

I've been vegan since conception, so I've never actually BECOME one...

it's really easy. My boyfriend and I eat out all the time, and we eat nutritious, delicious food at home, as well. We don't buy products that are tested on animals or wear animal skin. Big whoop, like it's so d*mned hard to switch deodorants so your $ doesn't go to animal torture.

It's really hard to endure people's reaction, though. Ignorance (MAYBE) can be excused, but to be downright obnoxious to someone because they care about their health or don't want their money suporting inhumane industries?

You learn a lot about our society and how it treats people who are "different", but I wouldn't trade my vegan values for the world.

Answer 6

Actually, I found it extremely easy. (I started as no-mammal, and transitioned to vegan, without planning to. It just happened as a logical extension.) There's really tons of things you can eat that don't involve meat, dairy or eggs. Now, when I go out to eat I don't give restaurants the fifth degree about any possible minute amount of eggs/dairy in my orders. (That's how you end up sounding freaky.) But I do avoid anything that I *know* is off limits... Gee, that leaves tons of vegetables, fruit, breads, grains, meat alternatives like veggie burgers, pastas, etc. Not hard at all. It becomes second nature.

Answer 7

I thought it would be really hard, which is why I put it off for a mere 20 years after becoming a vegetarian. I finally did it a month ago and it hasn't been hard at all. I'm sure I'm still in some sort of "honeymoon phase," wherein I'm so excited about all the new recipes I'm trying that I haven't had a chance to miss cheese. But so far, so good.

Answer 8

I've heard its pretty hard, so start gradually stop eating and using animal products one at a time. I was a vegan for the first four years of my life, and so it is probably easy once you get used to it as I was very young on a vegan diet.
The Best of Luck!
lova!

Answer 9

It's a commitment-I admire vegans. You may want to start with just vegetarianism until you get used to the requirements of a plant based diet-you don't have to eat eggs and dairy if you don't care to-and work up to eliminating the more arcane and obscure animal products (gelatin, lecithin, rennet, etc.) as you become used to the lifestyle. Good luck.

Answer 10

Very easy. For me at least. Just encourage yourself. The first step is much more harder than all the rest