I really want to go vegan-it's so hard though!?

Question

It seems like I never have enough to eat if I can't eat dairy or meat. What can you do with fruits and veggies?

Please help..Eating meat disgusts me and after watching Diet for a New America, I want to go vegan, too. I need some pointers, though.

Answer 1

Most of the responses you are getting are completely ridiculous and show a clear lack of understanding of veganism. I commend you for wanting to go vegan--when I read Diet for a New America it was very powerful for me as well. It is absolutely possible to eat a very nutritious diet as well as a great variety of delicious new foods. Start slow and just keep learning about new things. Here are a few tips:

-If it helps you to make the transition, meat alternatives are a helpful addition to a new vegan diet. Faux meats are abundant in the natural foods section of most grocery stores. If you don't like the first brand you try, keep trying! There are so many different kinds, that you'll surely find something that satisfies you.

-Play around with tofu...there are so many ways to prepare it that most people are unaware of.

-Try seitan (made from wheat gluten)--very high source of protein and makes a great substitute for meat in many dishes. I've actually made vegan pot roast from it and it was delicious! You can make your own seitan (although it takes some practice to get it right) or you can find packaged in most health food stores.

-Of course, try all kinds of grains (especially quinoa), legumes, green leafy vegetables, etc. Eat a variety of foods, both for great nutrition and so that you'll enjoy your new diet.

-Get a vegan cookbook! Two of my favorites are "Vegan with a Vengeance" by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and "La Dolce Vegan" by Sarah Kramer. Both are packed with delicious and relatively straightforward recipes.


When you first become vegan, it may feel like a lot of work, but it's a learning experience. The longer you do it, the easier it is, and the more enjoyable. I hope this helps...let me know if you have other questions! Good luck.

Answer 2

Go to the library and get some cook books for ideas.
Simple.
Every culture around world is full of vegan recipes. There is no lack of recipes. The internet must have a good billion vegan recipes too.

Look there's more to food than fruits and veggies. Grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, ... man, have you ever picked up a book about food from around the world? Endless -- just endless. Things you never even knew existed... I was just reading a children's book to my daughter about food children around the world eat. Follows a kid from Thailand, Mexico, France, India, South Africa .... all of these people eat mostly vegan dishes with one dish of fish or meat, if any. Usually only at dinner.

Their favourite foods: French kid: garlic, bread, and oysters. Mexican: tortillas and enchiladas. S. African: Weetabix. Indian: mangoes and watermelon in summer, but flat bread filled with potato and onion. Thai girl: eggs.

Anyway, get out there and experience the world of food. Meet some people from other countries; they'll have lots of interesting things to feed you.

Go to the library and look at the seed catalogues, order some seeds, start a garden -- or just get some free seeds from your neighbours. Those seed catalogues have all sorts of endless interesting fruits, vegetables.... things you never knew existed. There are hundreds of varieties of carrots, apples... you name it... Some are big, some small, some tasty, some not... The stuff you find in the store is just the stuff that grows biggest fastest... not the tastiest. Start a garden!

Answer 3

Some of the earlier answers were ridiculous, like this one: "It is difficult to obtain all the necessary amino acids on a vegetarian diet. You must combine beans and grains in your meals."

I've never, ever, EVER met a vegan who believed that. I don't give two thoughts to what I eat. Granted, I do eat various foods, but I never sit down and "plan" what I'm going to eat. The only people who tell you that you have extensive planning to do for nutritional needs, have never been a vegan and don't know a hoot about it.

Anyhow, other good advice has already been given, I just felt the need to expound upon someone's bad answer.

Answer 4

A vegan diet of fruits and veggies can be very nutritious and very filling. Fruits and veggies are loaded with plenty of water, fiber, vitamins C and A, potassium and much more -- including protein! The reason that people mistakenly think fruits and veggies are low in protein is that they do the math wrong. Fruits and veggies are high in water and fiber, so the protein content is low as a percentage of the total weight. However, the protein content is just fine as a portion of the total calories.

Answer 5

There are substitutes for most meat and dairy products. I do sometimes feel left out when my friends go out for ice cream and the place doesn't have soy ice cream. But I usually get something different, like a sodapop or a hot chocolate. Soy milk will taste funny at first, but after you get used to it, it's actually very tasty (almost addictive) and another cool thing about soy milk is that it will stay good for longer than cow milk.

Answer 6

Veganista and Veggie Tart have pretty much covered it. I just want to second the recommendation of "Vegan with a Vengeance" as well as her new one "Veganomicon." If you have any kitchen skills, there is no way you can go hungry with all these great recipes! You can take your fruits and veggies and combine them with beans and other legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices and make an endless array of delicious food. Granted, I've only been at it for a couple of months, but veganism has been far, far easier than I thought it would be!

Answer 7

Veganista gave you the sort of advice I would give you, so I'll expand on it. Vegans eat more than just fruits and veggies, ya know. We also eat grains, beans, and nuts. There are tons of analogues available nowadays, and it's perfectly okay to enjoy them.

Instead of milk, get soy milk, rice milk, or nut milk. There are soy ice creams available (Soy Delicious Purely Decadent--you must try it!), soy yogurt (I recommend Whole Soy & Co.), Earth Balance vegan margarine, Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese, and so on. Sadly, the search for a good vegan cheese goes on, but I was never a cheese freak anyway, so that wasn't hard to give up.

Check out www.vegweb.com for recipes and resources--it will give you clues on where to buy all sorts of stuff that makes it a little easier to be vegan. www.happycow.net lists restaurants and health food stores all over the world and also has resources for veg*ans.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Do you have qualms about eating meat on principle??? If not and it is just the taste or idea of meat, why not continue to eat dairy products and eggs. It is difficult to obtain all the necessary amino acids on a vegetarian diet. You must combine beans and grains in your meals. Get a good book on vegetarian diets before you try to go "all in".
You can make many good casseroles without meat, also salads and soups. There are also soy products to substitute for meats.

Answer 9

Well, vegans don't ALWAYS have fruits and veggies.
Try some soy and fruit salads.
They are easy and simple to make, healthy and delicious!
Also, you can just look up recipes online.
This recipe is totally vegan!

Ants on a stick

5 celery sticks
a jar of peanut butter
raisins

This recipe is so classic, but I recommend you try it if you haven't already!

Answer 10

Start off by cutting meat out of your diet, slowly. Then go lacto-vegetarian and once you've adapted to that, go vegan. It's hard to go vegan right away because it requires a lot of knowledge about the diet. My advice is to not go vegan right away because if you don't do it right, you'll quit, early.

Either way, lacto-vegetarian is just fine for health too. While dairy is higher in fat than plants, if you limit it, it won't do you any harm.