After 9 days of a vegetarian diet...

[Ann.without.an.e]

My eyes are moist (I have dealt with painfully dry eyes for years).

The inflamed pain I have had in my foot for 3 years is reduced by 80%.

My joints do not hurt.

 

I never expected this.  I already ate super healthy.  I have tried Auto immune paleo (stuck with it for over a year), regular paleo (2 years), and did whole 30 multiple times to try to decrease pain and inflammation.  While I always saw a little improvement, nothing like this.

 

I'm just surprised.  

 

On the negative, somehow I have gained two pounds and that is just not a good side effect  :confused1:

 

 

Edited October 3, 2017 by Attolia

[Guest]

It's amazing, isn't it?

 

Two pounds isn't that much. It's been awhile since I've tried to lose weight, but couldn't that be just normal fluctuations or maybe water if you're still menstruating?

 

Brand new baby vegetarians do tend to enjoy some higher calorie foods, like non-dairy cheese, boca burgers, tofu pups (my lifetime vegan kid loves those) and other "treat" foods that might not seem like such a big deal next month.

 

If I'm way off base and the weight gain continues and continues to bother you, there's a Social Group I'd be more comfortable using for recipe exchanges and cooking/weight loss tips:

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/forum/255-veganvegetarian-home-schoolers/

Edited October 3, 2017 by Guest

[Guest]

My eyes are moist (I have dealt with painfully dry eyes for years).

The inflamed pain I have had in my foot for 3 years is reduced by 80%.

My joints do not hurt.

 

I never expected this. I already ate super healthy. I have tried Auto immune paleo (stuck with it for over a year), regular paleo (2 years), and did whole 30 multiple times to try to decrease pain and inflammation. While I always saw a little improvement, nothing like this.

 

I'm just surprised.

 

On the negative, somehow I have gained two pounds and that is just not a good side effect :confused1:

Interesting. I have had a serious dry eye problem for several years, too. I really don't want to be vegetarian or vegan, though. I've done that (admitedly a while ago) and it was so dang lonely.

 

My DD's boyfriend's parents went vegan about a year ago. Mr. also experienced total relief of join pain that had been severly hampering his movement. He also was able to quit cholesterol lowering medication. He was already a healthy eater, too and was not overweight. Mrs. was vegetarian before, but went vegan and has lost sixty pounds. Yes, I said sixty! They are Vegangelists now.

[hornblower]

Yay you! 

It's not a panacea, many veg*ns experience health problems (because of course it's not all diet - genetics, environment etc all play their role) but really, the evidence is strong in favour of eating mostly plants. 

[Sandwalker]

:hurray: Becoming vegan has been so beneficial for me.

Me too! Ds now 24 actually was the first in our family to go veg, at 12. Dh and I gradually went veg too, then vegan about 10 years ago. We're all normal weight and healthy (knock on wood).

 

 

So many benefits! The only drawbacks are other people being rude, and some social situations. I've just learned to keep a sense of humor, eat before I go anywhere, bring food enough for everyone (because they will eat my food and leave me hungry!), and keep a protein bar in my purse. :)

[Katy]

2 pounds after eating paleo is probably just extra glycogen storage. In other words, water.  Don't worry about it.

[Spy Car]

Take away our meat, and there'd be no dry eyes for the two males in this house either :D

 

Best wishes on your adventure. 

 

Bill

[Ann.without.an.e]

It's amazing, isn't it?

 

Two pounds isn't that much. It's been awhile since I've tried to lose weight, but couldn't that be just normal fluctuations or maybe water if you're still menstruating?

 

Brand new baby vegetarians do tend to enjoy some higher calorie foods, like non-dairy cheese, boca burgers, tofu pups (my lifetime vegan kid loves those) and other "treat" foods that might not seem like such a big deal next month.

 

If I'm way off base and the weight gain continues and continues to bother you, there's a Social Group I'd be more comfortable using for recipe exchanges and cooking/weight loss tips:

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/forum/255-veganvegetarian-home-schoolers/

 

 

Thank you. 

 

Good thoughts on the higher calorie foods except I don't eat them. I am soy, dairy, and gluten free already so... :confused1:

[Ann.without.an.e]

Take away our meat, and there'd be no dry eyes for the two males in this house either :D

 

Best wishes on your adventure. 

 

Bill

 

 

:lol:   This is too funny because the three males in my house have proclaimed an identical mantra.  

[Guest]

One little tip I figured out as far as the loneliness/stigma is that people are a lot less hostile when I say "I like vegan/vegetarian food." than they are when I say "I am vegan/vegetarian."

 

Not telling the whole truth isn't the same as lying. I used to carry my (homemade, very inexpensive, recipe somewhere in the Social Group) soy drink in quart canning jars when I had to eat in public and then when people assumed it was paleo milk and asked me where to get it I'd just say something vague like, "Oh, I promised I wouldn't tell anybody! I'm not even sure what the laws are here." to pass the bean dip.

 

I could tell you some tales from the old days that would be good for a laugh but things really have gotten a lot better in my lifetime, other than haveyoueverheardofwestonaprice which is the whataboutsocialization of veganism/vegetarianism and I'm too old to remember the cute thing you cute kids do with the asterisk instead of the forward slash, lol.

Edited October 3, 2017 by Guest

[hornblower]

our family is all vegan, including the males. 

Attitudes about gender and diet are pretty weird. 

[hornblower]

One little tip I figured out as far as the loneliness/stigma is that people are a lot less hostile when I say "I like vegan/vegetarian food." than they are when I say "I am vegan/vegetarian."

Well, I'm an animal rights activist too & if my words don't give me away, my clothing and wrist bands will. I'm proud to be vegan - not plant based  - and my motivations are ethics, health and environment and I can start to rant about any of them at the drop of a hat LOL. 

 

I don't really have an issue with hostility. It's possible I'm too oblivious. Otoh, I live in  a pretty hippylandia part of Canada. 

What I do see is people who squirm or just point blank say "oh, now I feel guilty".  That doesn't require any reply from me though... 

Edited October 3, 2017 by hornblower

[Guest]

 

our family is all vegan, including the males. 

 

Attitudes about gender and diet are pretty weird. 

 

 

My lifetime vegan is a dude and very vocal about it. He'd blow my cover with the quart jars and reply to haveyoueverheardofwestonaprice with, "Have you ever heard of John Robbins?" if I tried that now.

 

Other son was raised vegan and he's a big scary bodybuilder military type. He might well be cool with eating at home after a year in the sandbox and enough combat pay to make "taking food out of his little brother's mouth" a ridiculous thing to worry about.

 

I never noticed how old the Social Group was before I became obsessed with Social Groups. I was afraid it was dying, but it's been here longer than I have and will probably still be here long after I'm gone.

[Guest]

Well, I'm an animal rights activist too & if my words don't give me away, my clothing and wrist bands will. I'm proud to be vegan - not plant based - and my motivations are ethics, health and environment and I can start to rant about any of them at the drop of a hat LOL.

 

I don't really have an issue with hostility. It's possible I'm too oblivious. Otoh, I live in a pretty hippylandia part of Canada.

What I do see is people who squirm or just point blank say "oh, now I feel guilty". That doesn't require any reply from me though...

Well, if I ever do go vegan, animal ethics will probably factor in, which does make another wrinkle on the social front. If it's just my own little oddity, people are pretty accommodating, but ethical veganism becomes socially different. If I host a party an veganism is just my own little oddity, it's probably largely going unnoticed; the food I serve is the same or mainly the same and not many people will note that I didn't eat a hamburger. But if it's about animal ethhics than it would be incongruent to host a party and serve burgers, so then that is about as noticeable as it can get. I'm not terribly comfortable with that, to be honest.

 

During my brief stint as a vegetarian, I really hated how it had to become a "thing" when I was eating socially. I would happily have had just te salad and not have anybody ask about it or comment. But it never happened that way. So, if I told them I was a veg and they didn't previously know, they were profusely apologetic, which was miserably awkward for me as it was not my goal. I would try to say it was fine, I was perfectly happy just having a salad and I did not need a burger, but they were mortified that they didn't plan the food with that knowledge. OTOH, if they *did* know in advance, then I felt like I was being Primadonna that they went to special effort to make a veg dish for me. It was nice that they did it, but I didn't like the special attention or accommodation.

 

Social eating was 90% of why I decided to go back to meat eating.

[Lang Syne Boardie]

The water retention - try loading up on lots and lots of leafy greens (and of course, drink plenty of water). You've only been at it a week and a bit, so while some areas of health are improving, your body is still freaking out that you changed your diet. You're due for a whoosh pretty soon, I'd bet.

[Sandwalker]

One little tip I figured out as far as the loneliness/stigma is that people are a lot less hostile when I say "I like vegan/vegetarian food." than they are when I say "I am vegan/vegetarian."

 

Not telling the whole truth isn't the same as lying. I used to carry my (homemade, very inexpensive, recipe somewhere in the Social Group) soy drink in quart canning jars when I had to eat in public and then when people assumed it was paleo milk and asked me where to get it I'd just say something vague like, "Oh, I promised I wouldn't tell anybody! I'm not even sure what the laws are here." to pass the bean dip.

 

I could tell you some tales from the old days that would be good for a laugh but things really have gotten a lot better in my lifetime, other than haveyoueverheardofwestonaprice which is the whataboutsocialization of veganism/vegetarianism and I'm too old to remember the cute thing you cute kids do with the asterisk instead of the forward slash, lol.

I don't label myself irl as a vegan unless someone asks. And at restaurants, I've gotten great at finding/creating stuff to order. Recently we were at a Jamaican restaurant (yummm),and after we finished ordering, the server said, 'oh are you guys vegetarian?" I said yes, and DIL said "We're vegan." I could see the waitress panicking, so I said, "Don't worry, we know how to order."

[Sandwalker]

Well, if I ever do go vegan, animal ethics will probably factor in, which does make another wrinkle on the social front. If it's just my own little oddity, people are pretty accommodating, but ethical veganism becomes socially different. If I host a party an veganism is just my own little oddity, it's probably largely going unnoticed; the food I serve is the same or mainly the same and not many people will note that I didn't eat a hamburger. But if it's about animal ethhics than it would be incongruent to host a party and serve burgers, so then that is about as noticeable as it can get. I'm not terribly comfortable with that, to be honest.

 

During my brief stint as a vegetarian, I really hated how it had to become a "thing" when I was eating socially. I would happily have had just te salad and not have anybody ask about it or comment. But it never happened that way. So, if I told them I was a veg and they didn't previously know, they were profusely apologetic, which was miserably awkward for me as it was not my goal. I would try to say it was fine, I was perfectly happy just having a salad and I did not need a burger, but they were mortified that they didn't plan the food with that knowledge. OTOH, if they *did* know in advance, then I felt like I was being Primadonna that they went to special effort to make a veg dish for me. It was nice that they did it, but I didn't like the special attention or accommodation.

 

Social eating was 90% of why I decided to go back to meat eating.

I'm not sure when you went veg, but it's far easier now to find vegetarian and vegan restaurant food. Dh and I went to a sports bar on Sunday and got spaghetti with marinara, nice green salad with nuts and dried fruit,and garlic bread (they use olive oil). I can get a whole vegan meal at Chik fil a or Taco Bell, no problem. And if you eat dairy, you can eat anywhere.

 

If anyone ever says Poor you about my eating, I just beam at them and say, "No, I am so happy eating the way I eat, let's just enjoy our meal." I'm happy to talk ethical, environmental, and health benefits any time except during a meal. It's too awful for me to talk about gestation crates when people are eating their bacon.

[Sandwalker]

My eyes are moist (I have dealt with painfully dry eyes for years).

The inflamed pain I have had in my foot for 3 years is reduced by 80%.

My joints do not hurt.

 

I never expected this. I already ate super healthy. I have tried Auto immune paleo (stuck with it for over a year), regular paleo (2 years), and did whole 30 multiple times to try to decrease pain and inflammation. While I always saw a little improvement, nothing like this.

 

I'm just surprised.

 

On the negative, somehow I have gained two pounds and that is just not a good side effect :confused1:

Glad your eyes are feeling better!

 

Changing your diet drastically usually changes your digestion for a time. You need different intestinal flora to digest the new foods, so much of your two pounds could just be a bit more weight because you haven't digested as fully as usual, so more in the intestines. If you think this is an issue (like if you get gassy or constipated or loose stools), then you maybe could try a probiotic.

[Sandwalker]

 

 

Well, if I ever do go vegan, animal ethics will probably factor in, which does make another wrinkle on the social front. If it's just my own little oddity, people are pretty accommodating, but ethical veganism becomes socially different. If I host a party an veganism is just my own little oddity, it's probably largely going unnoticed; the food I serve is the same or mainly the same and not many people will note that I didn't eat a hamburger. But if it's about animal ethhics than it would be incongruent to host a party and serve burgers, so then that is about as noticeable as it can get. I'm not terribly comfortable with that, to be honest.

 

During my brief stint as a vegetarian, I really hated how it had to become a "thing" when I was eating socially. I would happily have had just te salad and not have anybody ask about it or comment. But it never happened that way. So, if I told them I was a veg and they didn't previously know, they were profusely apologetic, which was miserably awkward for me as it was not my goal. I would try to say it was fine, I was perfectly happy just having a salad and I did not need a burger, but they were mortified that they didn't plan the food with that knowledge. OTOH, if they *did* know in advance, then I felt like I was being Primadonna that they went to special effort to make a veg dish for me. It was nice that they did it, but I didn't like the special attention or accommodation.

 

Social eating was 90% of why I decided to go back to meat eating.

I host parties and even bbqs, and the food is all vegan. No one goes hungry, and of course some of the men are going to say Hey where's the steak? On the cow, where it belongs is my reply. I wouldn't serve meat; we have a vegan home. I don't really even see meat or cheese as actual food anymore, strange thing.

[Guest]

I finally convinced my parents to let me stop eating meat when I was eight, with the help of my pediatrician and Frances Moore Lappe, and I'm early fifties now. Quill's post makes me cry but it also makes me want to reassure her that I still think she's awesome or at least give her the same one word "Normal" comment that I do when your teens are being teens because it is such a familiar story.

 

Over 20 years ago, I ran into an old flame and we went out to eat. He had become veg*n in the time since we had been dating and apologized profusely for the inconvenience.

 

I don't know what line of bull I told him when we were dating, but it probably involved lots of imaginary all-you-can-eat restaurants because I was confused and thought we were going out tomorrow or maybe even something even more immature, like saying "Oh look, a pretty butterfly!" so i could quick flick the meat into my purse and throw it away in the restroom.

 

I was mortified. Even after I tried to explain, he didn't believe me.

Edited October 4, 2017 by Guest

[solascriptura]

I’m not denying your experience at all. All of the vegans I know are on the heavier side. They are the healthy eating types so I know that they cook from scratch and everything. We’re you consciously trying to cut back on your foods? Maybe the foods weren’t interesting so you didn’t really want to eat them? I’m asking out of genuine curiosity and not arguing with you.

[Katy]

I don't label myself irl as a vegan unless someone asks. And at restaurants, I've gotten great at finding/creating stuff to order. Recently we were at a Jamaican restaurant (yummm),and after we finished ordering, the server said, 'oh are you guys vegetarian?" I said yes, and DIL said "We're vegan." I could see the waitress panicking, so I said, "Don't worry, we know how to order."

 

 

Please share your tips.  All of them.

[Guest]

 

I host parties and even bbqs, and the food is all vegan. No one goes hungry, and of course some of the men are going to say Hey where's the steak? On the cow, where it belongs is my reply. I wouldn't serve meat; we have a vegan home. I don't really even see meat or cheese as actual food anymore, strange thing.

I know it can be done. My DD's boyfriend's parents hosted a grad party and it was entirely vegan. Yes, some people made thise kind of comments and Mrs. did manage them very admirably, saying things like, "You're contributing to the saving of many lives tonight!" But I'm not that sort of person. And at this point, DH would not be backing me; he would probably be one of the people griping about where's the burgers. I don't have the sort of guts to manage that; I'm a pleaser and I want everyone to go away thrilled with everything about the party, KWIM?

 

I also have chickens, so it would really be strange if I never ate another egg.

 

FWIW, I'm lactose intolerant, so I don't eat much cheese anyway. But when I do, it is usually because of social eating because I can't bear to tell my host their enchilladas will give me a stomach ache.

 

I'm just a really sensitive person and I never want to upset others.

[Liz CA]

 Mrs. was vegetarian before, but went vegan and has lost sixty pounds. Yes, I said sixty! They are Vegangelists now.

 

Well, yeah...because there is nothing good left to eat. ;)

 

She must have been a little fluffy because if someone who weighs around 140 -150lbs loses 60lbs...that would be approaching the danger zone, wouldn't it?

 

[Liz CA]

I host parties and even bbqs, and the food is all vegan. No one goes hungry, and of course some of the men are going to say Hey where's the steak? On the cow, where it belongs is my reply. I wouldn't serve meat; we have a vegan home. I don't really even see meat or cheese as actual food anymore, strange thing.

 

I could easily go vegetarian and almost am EXCEPT for cheese, eggs and FISH!!! I could cut back on cheese - like a dessert for me - but not on eggs or fish. :)

[Guest]

I’m not denying your experience at all. All of the vegans I know are on the heavier side. They are the healthy eating types so I know that they cook from scratch and everything. We’re you consciously trying to cut back on your foods? Maybe the foods weren’t interesting so you didn’t really want to eat them? I’m asking out of genuine curiosity and not arguing with you.

Really??? My experience is the opposite and the vegans I know I am beginning to worry that they simply do not consume enough calories at all. DD's boyfriend weighs less than she does now and she is 120lbs.

 

I have known heavier vegetarians. My DD calls them the "Pizza and Pasta Vegetarians." They don't eat meat, but that doesn't mean they have particularly good diets.

[Guest]

Well, yeah...because there is nothing good left to eat. ;)

 

She must have been a little fluffy because if someone who weighs around 140 -150lbs loses 60lbs...that would be approaching the danger zone, wouldn't it?

 

She was a little fluffy, but even so, not to where I thought, "Wow, such a big person!" IMO, she is approaching the danger zone. But she isn't asking my opinion, so...

[hornblower]

I’m not denying your experience at all. All of the vegans I know are on the heavier side. They are the healthy eating types so I know that they cook from scratch and everything. We’re you consciously trying to cut back on your foods? Maybe the foods weren’t interesting so you didn’t really want to eat them? I’m asking out of genuine curiosity and not arguing with you.

 

I lost weight and have kept off being vegan. And I detest cooking and often rely a fair bit on prepared foods which are not that healthy... 

 

I actually find many of the fancy vegan foodie recipes waaaay to rich. The cashew cream base and other nuts are real calorie culprits in many recipes. If they're into that type of cooking, that might be it. 

 

I do calorie count but then imo most people should be calorie counting ...

[mamaraby]

I’m not denying your experience at all. All of the vegans I know are on the heavier side. They are the healthy eating types so I know that they cook from scratch and everything. We’re you consciously trying to cut back on your foods? Maybe the foods weren’t interesting so you didn’t really want to eat them? I’m asking out of genuine curiosity and not arguing with you.

I know I’m not the one you’re asking, but I have lost 100+ lbs, 70 lbs of which happened after I went vegan. Dh lost all of his weight after we went vegan. I think he’s nearing 75lbs at this point. In a lot of ways, losing the weight and maintaining my weight loss was just easier after I went vegan because most of what I eat as a vegan is just naturally less calorie dense. I enjoy food and don’t eat boring food because life’s too short to eat what you don’t enjoy. Way too short.

 

Dh and I are also failed low-carbers. The vegan thing? We can do that from now on, easy peasy lemon squeezy. Since 2015 and counting.

 

OP - I wouldn't worry about 2lbs weight gain if you were eating lower carb before. That could easily be your body restocking glycogen or retaining some water weight. It could also be one of those things that is part of the natural fluctuation bodies do. If you gain in excess of 5lbs? Then I might consider keeping better tabs on what I’m eating.

[ktgrok]

Really??? My experience is the opposite and the vegans I know I am beginning to worry that they simply do not consume enough calories at all. DD's boyfriend weighs less than she does now and she is 120lbs.

 

I have known heavier vegetarians. My DD calls them the "Pizza and Pasta Vegetarians." They don't eat meat, but that doesn't mean they have particularly good diets.

 

That was me when I was vegetarian for 10 years, and then vegan for 2. Gained weight steadily the whole time. But I made a lot of vegan mashed potatoes, french fries, etc. 

[regentrude]

Really??? My experience is the opposite and the vegans I know I am beginning to worry that they simply do not consume enough calories at all. DD's boyfriend weighs less than she does now and she is 120lbs.

 

Yes, my DD had a hard time consuming enough calories when she went vegan. It's OK when she is at college and gets to go home to eat or is not gone the entire day, but when she was gone for 11 hours (work plus commute) over the summer, she did not get enough food and had physical symptoms from it. 

She loves to cook and eats very healthy, but food on the go for an entire day is difficult.

Edited October 4, 2017 by regentrude

[eternalsummer]

I know it can be done. My DD's boyfriend's parents hosted a grad party and it was entirely vegan. Yes, some people made thise kind of comments and Mrs. did manage them very admirably, saying things like, "You're contributing to the saving of many lives tonight!" But I'm not that sort of person. And at this point, DH would not be backing me; he would probably be one of the people griping about where's the burgers. I don't have the sort of guts to manage that; I'm a pleaser and I want everyone to go away thrilled with everything about the party, KWIM?

 

I also have chickens, so it would really be strange if I never ate another egg.

 

FWIW, I'm lactose intolerant, so I don't eat much cheese anyway. But when I do, it is usually because of social eating because I can't bear to tell my host their enchilladas will give me a stomach ache.

 

I'm just a really sensitive person and I never want to upset others.

 

I feel the same way and it was very hard for me at first to deal with things like refusing birthday cake at a kids' birthday party.  Once I got in the habit of doing it, it was not as bad.  For me, social discomfort was not an acceptable reason to support and be complicit in factory farming, but I had to remind myself often that the opinion of people who don't know any better wasn't more important than the suffering of the animals they wanted me to abuse.

 

It is still much harder for me on that front than for my husband, though.  I learned a good phrase from I think kgtrok on these forums: "I eat a mostly vegan diet."  (this because we would eat things like the eggs from your chickens, who I presume don't stay in a tiny crate in artificial light/dark with thousands of other crates in a cramped building their whole lives).  

 

It does help that I'm not that social.  If I had to do regular BBQs and parties and etc. it would be miserable.

[Pawz4me]

I could easily go vegetarian and almost am EXCEPT for cheese, eggs and FISH!!! I could cut back on cheese - like a dessert for me - but not on eggs or fish. :)

 

Most vegetarians do eat animal products like cheese and eggs. But they don't consume animal flesh. 

[eternalsummer]

I miss eggs;  I don't miss milk but boy do I miss a good sharp cheddar cheese. 

 

 

[hornblower]

I miss eggs;  I don't miss milk but boy do I miss a good sharp cheddar cheese. 

Have you tried making some? I hear Miyoko's recipe is Artisan Vegan Cheese is great and ages nice and sharp in just weeks.  (the recipe is online and Miyoko herself posted in the comments with some additional info. )  Start now, it might be nice and sharp in the spring :P 

 

Skye Michael Conroy also has a cheddar recipe in The Non Dairy Revolution which sharpens as it ages.  I haven't made either because I'm too lazy (& Miyoko's ready made cheeses are really hard to find or ship here) but I've heard so many good things about the recipes in both.

[Soror]

Good for you, I hope it continues to work well. 

 

I did the AI Paleo too. I did feel good on it but the restrictiveness and having to cook everything from scratch was very tiring. I keep thinking I should do it again but I can't make myself do it. 

 

When someone does better on a restrictive diet I wonder if there is a hidden allergy or intolerance. I've heard people say they do better Paleo, I'd guess they have issues with wheat and grains. When people do better vegan I think do they have issues with dairy, eggs, or meat?? It is interesting. Just musing.

[DawnM]

Interesting. I have had a serious dry eye problem for several years, too. I really don't want to be vegetarian or vegan, though. I've done that (admitedly a while ago) and it was so dang lonely.

 

My DD's boyfriend's parents went vegan about a year ago. Mr. also experienced total relief of join pain that had been severly hampering his movement. He also was able to quit cholesterol lowering medication. He was already a healthy eater, too and was not overweight. Mrs. was vegetarian before, but went vegan and has lost sixty pounds. Yes, I said sixty! They are Vegangelists now.

 

I was raw vegan for 6 months.  I didn't lose too much weight (ate too many raw nuts I am sure!) but I felt SO GOOD!  I had energy, joint pain gone, and just felt better.

 

But is is so dang HARD to stick to!  At the time I was involved in 3 different homeschool groups that met weekly, with pot lucks included, or went to Panera so the kids could hang out and play board games while the moms visited.  Panera wasn't so bad, but the potlucks!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I have thought of doing it again.....I need to think about it.  I don't think I would do raw this time around, just vegan.  I just know I feel fuller if I can have some dense protein.  I KNOW I don't feel well on low carb.

 

And I admit I still did always have real half and half in my coffee, I can't find a substitute that I like AT ALL.  Those non-dairy things are gross (creamora or whatever those bottled artificial flavor things are), coconut creamer, almond milk creamer.....yuck, yuck, yuck.

 

Ok, sorry, didn't mean to write a novel, I am just typing as I think this through.

[hornblower]

 

 

And I admit I still did always have real half and half in my coffee, I can't find a substitute that I like AT ALL.  Those non-dairy things are gross (creamora or whatever those bottled artificial flavor things are), coconut creamer, almond milk creamer.....yuck, yuck, yuck.

 

the only creamers I really like are soy. All the coffee snobs I know seem to use So Nice barrista blend (creamy and froths if you want to whip it &/or heat it). There is another brand - Pacific Barista that I know some people get from wholesalers. That brand is often sold to cafes and restaurants.  

 

Almond etc are all too thin naturally imo and their thickeners just don't work as well.   I just use plain unsweetened soy. 

 

fwiw, it's milk in tea that I find more people have trouble with. I know 1 person in my family switched to no milk because they couldn't find a milk they liked in their tea. A Brit just recommended plain unsweetened cashew milk as closer to whole milk. I'm not sold on it myself & will stick to soy. 

 

& when I can't find my favourite brand of soy and have to drive around town for it or buy one of the other brands which I don't like....baby & mommy cows crying when separated is enough to keep me satisfied with whatever plant milk I have  

[Ann.without.an.e]

the only creamers I really like are soy. All the coffee snobs I know seem to use So Nice barrista blend (creamy and froths if you want to whip it &/or heat it). There is another brand - Pacific Barista that I know some people get from wholesalers. That brand is often sold to cafes and restaurants.  

 

Almond etc are all too thin naturally imo and their thickeners just don't work as well.   I just use plain unsweetened soy. 

 

fwiw, it's milk in tea that I find more people have trouble with. I know 1 person in my family switched to no milk because they couldn't find a milk they liked in their tea. A Brit just recommended plain unsweetened cashew milk as closer to whole milk. I'm not sold on it myself & will stick to soy. 

 

& when I can't find my favourite brand of soy and have to drive around town for it or buy one of the other brands which I don't like....baby & mommy cows crying when separated is enough to keep me satisfied with whatever plant milk I have  

 

 

They have come out with some amazing almond milk creamers in the last 2-3 years.  Super great.

[Ann.without.an.e]

I’m not denying your experience at all. All of the vegans I know are on the heavier side. They are the healthy eating types so I know that they cook from scratch and everything. We’re you consciously trying to cut back on your foods? Maybe the foods weren’t interesting so you didn’t really want to eat them? I’m asking out of genuine curiosity and not arguing with you.

 

I am trying to figure out if this comment was meant to be to me?  I said I have gained weight and your post makes it sound as if I have lost?  I apologize for my confusion, haha.

 

First of all, I am trying a vegetarian diet not a vegan diet.  I eat good quality, humanely raised eggs and some hard cheese.  I was already dairy free for the exception of some hard cheese so this is not a change for me.

 

I have not tried to cut back food at all.  I am already a pretty light eater so I have stayed about the same, just no meat.  

Edited October 4, 2017 by Attolia

[Ann.without.an.e]

One little tip I figured out as far as the loneliness/stigma is that people are a lot less hostile when I say "I like vegan/vegetarian food." than they are when I say "I am vegan/vegetarian."

 

Not telling the whole truth isn't the same as lying. I used to carry my (homemade, very inexpensive, recipe somewhere in the Social Group) soy drink in quart canning jars when I had to eat in public and then when people assumed it was paleo milk and asked me where to get it I'd just say something vague like, "Oh, I promised I wouldn't tell anybody! I'm not even sure what the laws are here." to pass the bean dip.

 

I could tell you some tales from the old days that would be good for a laugh but things really have gotten a lot better in my lifetime, other than haveyoueverheardofwestonaprice which is the whataboutsocialization of veganism/vegetarianism and I'm too old to remember the cute thing you cute kids do with the asterisk instead of the forward slash, lol.

 

 

I love your experiences in this thread.  Thank you for sharing.  

 

I am already gluten and dairy free. I am accustomed to not eating like normal people.  I don't announce it, I just eat what I can and say I am not that hungry.  Food isn't a big deal for me.

[mamaraby]

Have you tried making some? I hear Miyoko's recipe is Artisan Vegan Cheese is great and ages nice and sharp in just weeks. (the recipe is online and Miyoko herself posted in the comments with some additional info. ) Start now, it might be nice and sharp in the spring :P

 

In the US you can just buy Miyoko’s cheeses direct or at Whole Foods. The co-op in my town also carries some of her cheeses, just not my favorites. (http://miyokoskitchen.com)

[eternalsummer]

I've bought some of the miyoko cheeses and they don't have that not-cheese-smells-like-feet taste, but they are also definitely not dairy.  I haven't tried anything sharp of hers, though.  

 

I also prefer soy replacements - soy ice cream, soy milk, etc. I don't want to feed a ton of it to my boys, though, so I just buy it for me on occasion.  We don't really use many milk substitutes - cereal is kind of a waste of money and makes a mess anyway, with lots of littles around.  We just eat oatmeal for breakfast, and blueberries.

 

The one fake-dairy staple we use constantly is fake butter.  I like the olive oil Earth Balance, in the green package.  Everyone else likes Melt, which is made from coconut oil, I think.  I can just taste the coconut, and yuck.  

 

 

 

I should note that we do eat wild animal products, which mostly means fish.

[Penguin]

I've been dairy free for years, and I dislike meat. I eat vegan most of the time.

 

But sometimes the only vegan option available is junk or just a simple-carbs-fest. We are on the go so much! I wish I were the type of person to always pre-plan my food, but I doubt I can pull that off. I've tried and failed many times. I recoil at the extra time in the kitchen.

 

[Guest]

 

the only creamers I really like are soy. All the coffee snobs I know seem to use So Nice barrista blend (creamy and froths if you want to whip it &/or heat it). There is another brand - Pacific Barista that I know some people get from wholesalers. That brand is often sold to cafes and restaurants.

 

Almond etc are all too thin naturally imo and their thickeners just don't work as well. I just use plain unsweetened soy.

 

fwiw, it's milk in tea that I find more people have trouble with. I know 1 person in my family switched to no milk because they couldn't find a milk they liked in their tea. A Brit just recommended plain unsweetened cashew milk as closer to whole milk. I'm not sold on it myself & will stick to soy.

 

& when I can't find my favourite brand of soy and have to drive around town for it or buy one of the other brands which I don't like....baby & mommy cows crying when separated is enough to keep me satisfied with whatever plant milk I have

I use unsweetened cashew milk in my smoothies when I make those for breakfast. I don't know tat I would like drinking it straight as a beverage, but in a smoothie I find it quite a good substitute for milk.

[stephanier.1765]

I'm not sure when you went veg, but it's far easier now to find vegetarian and vegan restaurant food. Dh and I went to a sports bar on Sunday and got spaghetti with marinara, nice green salad with nuts and dried fruit,and garlic bread (they use olive oil). I can get a whole vegan meal at Chik fil a or Taco Bell, no problem. And if you eat dairy, you can eat anywhere.

 

If anyone ever says Poor you about my eating, I just beam at them and say, "No, I am so happy eating the way I eat, let's just enjoy our meal." I'm happy to talk ethical, environmental, and health benefits any time except during a meal. It's too awful for me to talk about gestation crates when people are eating their bacon.

 

What do you get at Chic Fil A? We went the other day and while I picked up something for my son and his girlfriend, I didn't get anything for me because I thought it would be a useless quest at a chicken joint.

[stephanier.1765]

I’m not denying your experience at all. All of the vegans I know are on the heavier side. They are the healthy eating types so I know that they cook from scratch and everything. We’re you consciously trying to cut back on your foods? Maybe the foods weren’t interesting so you didn’t really want to eat them? I’m asking out of genuine curiosity and not arguing with you.

 

We are semi-new vegans and thus far I've lost weight even though I was already at my ideal weight. Everyone probably reacts differently to new ways of eating.

[eternalsummer]

What do you get at Chic Fil A? We went the other day and while I picked up something for my son and his girlfriend, I didn't get anything for me because I thought it would be a useless quest at a chicken joint.

 

Fries :)

 

(they have a separate fryer so your stuff isn't in with the chicken)

[samba]

What do you get at Chic Fil A? We went the other day and while I picked up something for my son and his girlfriend, I didn't get anything for me because I thought it would be a useless quest at a chicken joint.

 

I heard they have good veggie wraps. Youtuber Mommy Tang did a Chic Fil A for Vegans episode.

[ktgrok]

They have come out with some amazing almond milk creamers in the last 2-3 years.  Super great.

 

Lies. I've tried all of them, even the special barista ones you have to order from weird places. Didn't like any of them, at all.  Best thing I found that was non dairy was coconut milk from a can, the kind you cook with. It at least had decent mouth feel. But nothing is anything like actual cream when it comes to coffee. 

Edited October 4, 2017 by ktgrok