Vegan/vegetarians

I keep reading all about becoming vegan/vegetarians, but I barely eat healthy enough with meat in my diet. ::thinks: I'm trying to expand my diet to more colorful fruits, veggies, and supplements so I can actually become vegan. My brother keeps telling me that If I want to become vegan, I have to go out and do it, not say I am going to later. I usually agree with that, but right now I don't have the money to afford a healthy diet as is, and my father isn't very supportive of his idea of "alternative" lifestyles. If anyone has any tips (although I'll probably end up looking through most of these pages) of becoming vegan, I'd love to hear them.

@ tales from the creep
A lot of nutritious vegan foods aren't expensive (beans, grains, seasonal vegetables). Vegan eating gets expensive when you buy products marketed at vegans, meat substitutes, soy products, etc, and you don't really need those if you balance the rest of your diet out.

When I was a vegetarian, my problem always was I cooked for one person- myself, and it's hard to use up fresh produce for just one person. It wasn't that the food itself was expensive, but half of it would be bad before I used it. But I started cooking things in bulk and that helped. Rather than making one portion, I'd just use the entire head of broccoli in a pot of soup and freeze my leftovers for later.

It's definitely easier to shop vegan when you have more money to spend on food, but it's not impossible to do on a budget.

I would love to be vegan and I think I probably could be too now that I proved I a committed vegetarian. I think it would be hard but I'd get used toot easily like I did with being vegetarian. The only problem with being vegan is that my dad would probably disown me.... He disagrees with vegetarianism enough as it is.

I became vegetarian because I love animals and I also wanted to try and be healthier. I've always wanted to be a vegetarian but my parents didn't allow me to until they thought "I had finished growing". I have been a vegetarian for four years (since I was eleven) and I can honestly say I love being vegetarian. I love the fact that there are so many different options and foods for vegetarians. I also feel like I'm helping animals, which is the main reason I stopped eating meat.

I've been vegan for nearly 3 years, vegetarian almost all the early years.

I don't feel that being against 'animal cruelty' is a must for being a vegan/vegetarian. That's not to bash anyone, of course. I was a vegetarian for a while because of previous intolerance.

But, when I look at things, being a vegetarian because of animal cruelty is not going to stop the production of meat. The animals in properly checked and looked after farms are killed humanely. Unless we count battery farms, which would only apply to vegans.

Animals prey on other animals to survive, as did humans at one point. It's a basic survival thing humans have. Humans were born and have evolved as omnivores, and suddenly turning herbivore probably isn't too good for your system unless you know what you're doing. I mean, for example, if I stopped eating meat, with my fussy habits, and stuck to what I ate otherwise - I'd be horribly unhealthy unless I started eating what I don't like.

Mink.:

I don't feel that being against 'animal cruelty' is a must for being a vegan/vegetarian. That's not to bash anyone, of course. I was a vegetarian for a while because of previous intolerance.

But, when I look at things, being a vegetarian because of animal cruelty is not going to stop the production of meat. The animals in properly checked and looked after farms are killed humanely. Unless we count battery farms, which would only apply to vegans.

Animals prey on other animals to survive, as did humans at one point. It's a basic survival thing humans have. Humans were born and have evolved as omnivores, and suddenly turning herbivore probably isn't too good for your system unless you know what you're doing. I mean, for example, if I stopped eating meat, with my fussy habits, and stuck to what I ate otherwise - I'd be horribly unhealthy unless I started eating what I don't like.

I think it depends on how fucked up the meat industry is in your country. In the U.S. it's a fucking mess. Actually the whole food industry is, but the meat industry is responsible for some of the worst attrocities.
Also, some just don't believe in killing animals at all, whether it's humanely or not. So, that's another reason I've found people don't eat meat.
Also, for your last point, omnivore does not equal "obligate carnivore". We're humans, not cats. We don't need meat to live. Some meats have health benefits (although I'd still argue you could find the same benefits in non-meat sources.) Some meats have health risks as well. As long as vegans and vegetarians watch their diet they can do just fine.

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Also, hello this thread. I'm a vegetarian and have been for like, I think, about 6 years now. Yep.

I'm a vegetarian. I have been for about a month and I'm quiet fine with it, nothing has changed in my food other than no pepperoni or bacon. I did it partly for the meat industry but also to lose some weight since I know red meat has a ton of calories and cholesterol. I don't get taunted with the sight of it anymore and I don't really care if people eat meat in front of me or anything, it's their choice and this is mine.

I'm slowly trying to become a vegan because I find it to be the healthy choice of life for me that is. I'm cutting back on my milk and switching to soy milk and I eat cheese less often, I also check my candies and such for nay animal based products. I don't know if I'll be a successful vegan but I'm sticking to being a vegetarian.

I was vegan for 6 months, and then switched to vegetarian, and have been for 6 months. So a year total without meat. But I am lactose intolerant, and allergic to eggs, so I'm very close to eating vegan, just not completely so I don't label myself as it anymore.

I don't take pills, or supplements, I don't eat fake meats, I just eat real, honest food. I'm completely healthy, get blood tests done, and everything is perfect. On the other hand, when I do eat meat, I feel like crap for weeks. My body just doesn't do well with it, and never has.

It's a personal choice, everybody has different reasons for eating what they eat. As long as you, and your doctor know that your choices are healthy for your body, which again is different for everybody, then that's what matters. There really shouldn't be any pressure from either side of things, because nobody can look at another person and evaluate the way their body works, and processes food.

It's not hard or expensive though. My top eats would be fruits, veggies, hummus, peanut butter, whole wheat wraps, rice, bread, beans, lentils, and chickpeas. All of those things are less expensive than meat, while still healthy and full of good stuff! :)

My very good friend has been vegan for nearly two years now, and she doesn't have very many restrictions. Her food doesn't cost all that much, and some of her food is just as delicious as normal food. For example, she eats this peanut butter ice cream that is to die for, and vegan butter is basically the same thing as normal butter just minus the milk. It can become difficult for her occasionally because of resaurants and things like that.

The only real issue she has with being vegan is she is also diabetic, and that always comes first. So if something bad happens, it doesn't matter what food is around, she has to eat it for her health.

I have gone Vegetarian a little over 3 months ago because I watched a video about how animals were treated before they are slaughtered. After watching it I couldn't eat meat anymore, I still consume some animal bi-products. I know that I may not make a huge difference but it does change mine and how I feel about the world. I feel much better about myself and others have noticed, I love animals so I refuse to eat them any longer. I do eventually want to go Vegan I am not sure when or if I will but it is something I want to do.

I've been a vegetarian for about a year and a half now. I'm allergic to red meat and am lactose intolerant (paired with an egg allergy - seriously, my stomach sucks) so it was really the most logical choice for me. It wasn't hard at all to make the switch, and I've actually found that I enjoy cooking my own food and trying out new things. It's been more fun than I thought it'd be.

I see a lot of concerns about supplements and cost. I don't take any supplements and never had to. I do take a Vitamin D one, but that's because I have a deficiency that has nothing to do with my diet. It isn't all that expensive either. I go grocery shopping once or twice a week to make sure my veggies are fresh, but you can scrounge up some good veggie meals with whatever you have lying around - rice, beans, vegetables, wraps, etc. Quinoa burgers have become a staple in my cooking! But anyway, my shopping is usually pretty cheap so I don't mind it.

I'm not big on fake meats. They taste weird and I hate the texture of tofu so I don't eat much of that either. The trick is to find what you like and ways to incorporate it into viable meals. For me, it's beans (I love beans, give me all the beans) and broccoli. I eat those two things a lot. I'll buy vegan alternatives for common things (cream cheese, mayo, etc.) and that helps too. Stores like Trader Joe's have been a godsend.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. It's really been the best choice I've made for myself! Couldn't be happier.

I've been considering going vegetarian for quite some time. I tried it for a few weeks last May and it was a lot easier than I thought it'd be, but then my mom made me eat steak and it broke.

I'd just like to do it because I like organic stuff like beans and salads and whatnot. And because I could do with getting healthier.

@ Vechs
My grandmother tries to sneak meat in my food all the time. If I ask her about it, she'll come up with really terrible excuses like, "Chicken isn't meat," or, "You're not going to die if you eat a piece of steak."

It's really frustrating. She gets so offended if I pick the meat off my plate, too.

I tried to go vegetarian for a little bit, but it personally wasn't for me. I do, however, think veganism is going a bit too far. Being a vegetarian honestly made me feel worse, not better.

I also happen to very easily become anemic. At one point I got blood tested and was informed that I had almost no iron left in my body. But yeah, I managed to last two months as a vegetarian before I couldn't stand it anymore. So I probably won't ever go vegetarian ever again.

I never eat meat anyway. I want to go vegetarian again.

I've been a vegetarian for 6 months now. It's weird bc I don't even crave meat, yet when I see dinner cooking I can still appreciate the smell and sight? I mean I don't want to eat it. I don't have the urge to eat meat when I smell it. lol I think that's a little weird but imo soy substitutes are almost better tasting. Like veggie burgers that are made to taste like "chicken" and these "beef" crumble things are great when I am craving some Sheppard's pie. I may not be a devout Buddhist but I am working on it and vegetarianism the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I tried becoming a vegan and didn't last more than a day. I have more of a dairy dependence than anything

So when this thread was first started (wow I've been here a long time!), I only ate poultry. I was a vegetarian for the better part of the following year and then I had some issues so I went back to eating meat. I'm taking vitamins and stuff too so red meat doesn't give me the issues it once did (well before this thread, I couldn't eat it at all for most of my childhood and adolescence) but I am far happier to eat fruits, veggies, beans and grains honestly.

I have off and on considered trying it again the last few years. I love sushi more than anyone I'm sure but I'm kind of curious to see if I can pull it off properly and see what it does for me. I've been making a few dietary changes that are panning out very well for my health.

I've really been interested in becoming a vegetarian for the better part of the last few years.

I intended to start transitioning into a meat-free diet forever ago. I'm against animal cruelty, and I feel like it's so hard to know for sure whether the people you're buying your meat from treat the animals well or not, and the thought that I may be supporting people who are mistreating animals makes me really disappointed in myself. And I also feel that cutting meat out of my diet is something I need to do for health reasons, as it kind of makes me feel physically sick, too.

But my diet is very, very limited, even when I include meat. I don't have the healthiest relationship with food, and I never have had a good relationship with it, not once in my entire life. I can actually count on my fingertips (without doubling up) the foods that I am okay eating, and meat (or chicken, really, just chicken) takes up a major chunk of that variety. Thankfully vegetables and fruits take up a bigger chunk, but I still feel like I need to replace meat with something so that it'll (hopefully) be less of a struggle, and so my dad won't worry I'm not getting enough protein (which is his only concern every time I try to do this).

Does anyone have any tips they wouldn't mind sharing with a vegetarian-wannabe who's just starting out? I don't have any friends who are vegetarian, nor any family who are, so I'd appreciate having someone to talk to about it if anyone wouldn't mind sparing me some time. ♥ Please and thank you kindly!

@ trouble in a tanktop
When you say you have a bad relationship with food, what do you mean? You're a picky eater? Is that why you say your diet is limited or is it food allergies as well?

Honestly, cutting meat out is easier than you think. You can replace every day things you eat like hamburgers and sausage and deli meat with soy based things like veggie burgers etc. While they're not always the best tasting and can have odd textures you might as well try them out to see if you're into them. Greek yogurt and beans are a good way to get protein too.

There are lots of vegetarian twists on things. I have a recipe I found to make "meatballs" out of mushrooms and lentils, and it's delicious I also have a recipe for meatless meatloaf made of mushrooms, breadcrumbs and other vegetables. My dad tried it and even liked it.

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I think I am going to be a vegan for a week just to test it out... maybe in two or three weeks?

I've been vegetarian since I was about 15, so about a decade now. I was always a fruit and vegetable kid anyway. My parents had trouble getting me to eat my chicken, not my broccoli.

People always ask if my diet is super expensive and I think it's actually cheaper to not eat meat. I think my food budget would increase a lot if I tried to incorporate meat because I saw that it was like £4 for chicken the other day. I get a lot of yoghurt for £4 every week.

The one thing I could never do is go vegan. I like dairy far too much.