Becoming Vegan?

Question

i'm a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian which means i don't eat any type of flesh, but i do eat dairy products and eggs

i want to slowly become a vegan (does not eat flesh, dairy products, or eggs!)

how ever that would mean that i couldn't eat cookies, bread, dough, sandwhiches ect. because bread and other stuff are made with milk

so i would just like to know some subsitutes for milk and eggs

also if reducing milk in your diet,,, would that affect your health?

what can i do to get the amonut of nutrition and vitiamins i need to stay healthy without meat, eggs, or milk?

Also tell me everything a vegan needs to know about what to eatt

what substitutes (brands) would u recomend?

and are organic foods more expensive?

where can u buy it?

just tell me EVEYRTHING!
=)

Answer 1

You wouldn't have to give up anything you mentioned. Just today I've eaten bread, cookies and a sandwich and haven't had to bake anything myself... in fact, they weren't even vegan specific... they're popular brands that just so happen to be vegan.

It's a common misconception that vegans are 'missing out' on a lot of things because in fact, I'm eating a more varied diet now than I have done in my whole life! Instead of cow's milk I now drink soy, almond, hazlenut or rice milk. All are much healthier and fortified with vitamins (most important of which is B12). You can buy dairy free spreads from most supermarkets and they're often fortified too. Redwoods vegan cheeses are the best in my opinion and they're quite cheap and available in some supermarkets and healthfood stores as well as online.

Giving up cow's milk will affect your health but not how you might assume... it will make it better! Unless you're a cow then cow's milk won't be healthy which is why so many people are lactose intolerant... it's not meant for humans to drink. My eczema and allergies which I've had my whole life have completely dissapeared since I gave up cow's milk.

Instead of eggs you can use tofu for scrambling and egg replacer for baking. There's even an egg replacer to make omelettes and again they're healthier than the real thing because they're not laden with cholesterol.

For omega 3 you can buy flaxeed powder or oil. I have a tablespoon of powder with my cereal in the morning which is more than enough. Hazlenuts are also a good source of omega and any nuts are a good source of fatty acids (which are good for you as they aren't full of saturated fat like animal products are). I have huge bags of cashews, pecans, pinenuts, hazlenuts, peanuts and almonds in my cupboard to add to recipes or just snack on during the day.

Another important food you should include plenty of in your diet (vegan or not) is wholegrains. You can buy wholegrain pasta, bread, cereals and rice cheaply and can incorporate them easily into your diet. Beans and seeds are also good for you and a great source of protein as well as tofu, tempeh, seitan and TVP.

The first couple of weeks may be hard but once you get used to what things you can and can't eat it gets a lot easier. It's not a matter of getting upset with what I can't eat anymore... I'm constantly surprised by foods I discover I can eat... the most recent being jacob's fig rolls and bisto gravy. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything and feel amazing with my diet. Good Luck! :o)

Answer 2

i was a lacto-ovo before becoming a vegan, and it is an easy transition, if that is what you want to do. you can get cookies, bread...without milk, how do you think people who are allergic to milk do it. also humans are the only species who drink another species mothers milk, and the only ones who do it after the nursing age. you don't need milk, and you can get soy milk as a substitute. there is a lot available in just your grocery store but a store like wild oats will have more options. it is a little more expensive, however it is much healthier and you will be living a life of your choice not the one the society suggests. there is a lot of information on line tryveg.com they are great, you can find different recipes, foods...prices... good luck.

Answer 3

There are a few great cook books out there. I own two by these pretty cool authors - How it all Vegan and The Garden of Vegan. I'd suggest checking them out, along with other literature. About the health and diet part, you should speak with your doctor. They have better answers about YOUR body than anyone on this board could provide.

As for substitutes I'd recomend, try this company called Fantastic Foods. They make awesome veggie taco filling.

As far as what you can eat/consume, if an animal (even an insect) was used in the production, then the answer is no! So that means no honey.

Answer 4

Vegan is a lifestyle, not just a diet. Start reading your shampoo, make up, cleaning products, lotion, etc. labels.

Learn to read labels and find cookies, bread, and dough that AREN'T made with milk or eggs. It's not that hard.

Reducing milk WILL affect your health. You'll probably be less congested, any skin issues you have will probably clear up, you may lose weight, and your chance of getting cancer will lessen.

Research what you're "missing" when you cut out meat, dairy, and eggs instead of just parroting everything you hear. Cuz you're sure as hell not missing anything good.

Answer 5

There are plenty of vegan baked goods out there--Liz Lovely makes vegan cookies. There's also Alternative Baking Company, Sunflour, Nana's (also gluten-free), and Laura's Wholesome Junk Food (well, those are mini "bitelettes"), for starters. I have no trouble finding vegan bread in the store. It's a little more expensive, but then that's because it doesn't have chemical crap in it, like so many cheap breads.

You can even have ice cream--Soy Delicious Purely Decadent is Ben & Jerry's for vegans! There's also Temptation "ice cream."

There's nothing in milk that you can't get from vegan sources, except blood, pus, antibiotics, hormones, excess fat, and cholesterol. You can use soy milk, rice milk, or almond milk in cooking and baking. As for eggs, any vegan cookbook will give you tips on substituting for eggs in cooking. You have to find the one that works for you, although I use Ener-G Egg replacer.

Check out www.vegweb.com--there are tons of resources for veg*ans. And good luck!

Answer 6

You've gotten some really good answers so far, so I just have a variety of books to recommend:

For discussion of various reasons to go vegan: "Diet for a New America" and "The Food Revolution" by John Robbins and "Mad Cowboy" and "No More Bull" by Howard Lyman

For thorough coverage of vegan nutrition: "Becoming Vegan" by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina

For awesome recipes (and proof that you can still have incredible baked goods): "Vegan with a Vengeance" by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World" by Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero and "Veganomicon" by Moskowitz and Romero

For a guide to handling the day-to-day challenges of veganism, from finding vegan options on the road to dealing with judgemental relatives: "Vegan Freak" by Bob and Jenna Torres

For a lot of general info: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Living"

For a sassy take on making smart food choices (and resources for finding vegan snack food when you just really have the munchies): "Skinny B***h"

Answer 7

There are plenty of breads out there that aren't made with milk - try fresh bakery breads rather than the processed crap by Wonder and the like. You could even make your own bread - by hand or with a bread machine.

Reducing milk won't affect your health. There are studies that suggest drinking milk does absolutely nothing good for your health, and could even hurt. If you are concerned about calcium and other vitamins, buy a fortified soy or rice milk (I LOVE Soy Dream fortified soy milk - it's the most "milk-tasting" soy milk I've found).

Answer 8

Vegan or not - everything else you mentioned is just garbage.
keep doing what you are doing and forget the cookies instead and the bread.

Answer 9

soya milk

egg: tbsp oil (any type), tbsp of water, tsp of baking powder


protein is in seeds, nuts pulses etc
get Vitim B12


make ur own cookies, cakes and breads. thats what i do

organic is normally more expensive and in general u should be healthier