Calling all vegans!

**acidcookie** · 04-03-2007, 09:14 PM

Who on this board is a vegan? Just wondering if there are any around.

I am just curious about:
How long you've been vegan
Why you're a vegan

I was raised vegetarian, and we never really had milk in the house so now I'm mostly vegetarian (love seafood, and eat the occasional chicken, but never developed an appetite for red meat, pork, etc.), and don't like milk anyway (though I still eat other dairy products).

Sometimes I want to become a vegan just to challenge myself, but I have no real reason to do it otherwise. I was thinking about what foods I have in my house right now that hold me back from being vegan and it's really just: yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, fish, and arguably honey. And I know I can get soy substitutes for all but the fish, and I LOVE fish. Hmmm.

**Edna_E** · 04-04-2007, 07:27 PM

I'm debating moving that direction. I've been reading some things that are disturbing about contaminants in commercial meat and poultry, and have not found a local source of organic. I live in town, and cannot raise my own. I can get organic eggs from a co-worker.

How hard is it to learn to get proper nutrition while avoiding the "traditional" sources - beef, poultry, pork?

**acidcookie** · 04-04-2007, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Edna_E

How hard is it to learn to get proper nutrition while avoiding the "traditional" sources - beef, poultry, pork?

Having grown up without meat I'm not even sure why there is any belief we need meat. Any nutrition we gain from meat can be had elsewhere: protein, iron, other nutrients. I have always been very healthy.

**Lady_V** · 04-04-2007, 09:59 PM

If anyone does make a transition to Vegan... take it from me (and my blood tests) make sure your levels are okay, especially iron, b vits and folic acids.

**jinx** · 04-05-2007, 08:01 AM

I was vegetarian for a many years. Although I didnt make the transition to vegan I know that going vegan is a commitment. I know 2 types of vegans. the ones that will not eat the obvious dairy products, likes eggs, milk etc. then there are the vigliant vegans who read every label for products like whey, and other dairy based products and ingedients in foods like bread, cookies, and other baked and prepared foods.
I would recomend doing your homework. Know the proper nutrition for your body type and learn how to get what you need so you dont become deficient. People I know who are vegans do take suppliments. Here are some websites that may be helpful.

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/vegan-nutrition.html

http://www.vegansociety.com/html/food/nutrition/

http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/

**cebsme** · 04-05-2007, 10:00 AM

Im not vegan anymore but i was a very viligant vegan for 4 years. All through highschool, and i have gone back to it for a week or two at time since then. My suggestions is that you need to make sure you are getting your vitamins and minerals. Being Vegan can be very healthy unfortunately a lot of people dont do the proper research before the begin the diet. If you werent raised in a vegan family it tends to be a bit harder. For me it was the B vitamins like B12 that i didnt supplement right. Along with my iron levels being low to begin with. Its very healthy to be vegan and it can also be very healthy to not be vegan its all about personal choice. For me i chose the lifestyle because of some medical issues i was having.

If you're looking for a neat website that has some simple recipes check out the Vegan Lunchbox
http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/

**acidcookie** · 04-05-2007, 01:56 PM

Iron is mentioned a lot. When I've given blood (and they test your iron) it's always been at healthy levels. Lots of food contain iron like rice, beans, and soy.

I eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, beans, soy, whole grains, etc. and I do take a multi-vitamin each day. Having been raised vegetarian it's a way of life and is easy for me to get in all my nutrients. However, I was a pretty unhealthy kid for a while growing up because I'd eat junk, skip meals, drink lots of soda, but this was not a problem to be fixed by adding meat.

It very much is about your diet in general. Some vegetarians are just as unhealthy as anyone else.

**AtHomeWithMAMA** · 05-04-2007, 04:13 PM

I'm a RAW Vegan and have been for 6 years.. WHY? Because it was the only thing that could save me from a life of miserable disease! If you're contimplating it, I would highly encourage you to do it! The thing about transitioning to a vegan diet is that most people just tend to replace meat with cooked soy.. WHICH IS NOT GOING TO PROVIDE THE NUTRIENTS YOU NEED!!! The best foods are what? Absolutley FRESH ORGANIC FRUITS & VEGGIES! Eat these with some nuts and seeds and you'll not have to worry about being deficient in anything! Side note- YES YOU CAN get enough PROTEIN from being a raw vegan...
check out my site if you want to learn more... athomewithmama DOT com

**Suzee** · 05-15-2007, 05:32 PM

I'd like to propose a question...for those people that cannot afford to buy organic fresh fruit or vegetables OR regular fresh fruit or vegetables...what should they do to become vegetarian or vegan? I am working my way towards vegan. I am vegetarian now. I have friends that are on VERY tight budgets and they just can't do it. Seriously...any suggestions would be helpful. I've mentioned checking out the inexpensive canned and/or frozen food with minimal sodium and preservatives. Help?

**cebsme** · 05-15-2007, 06:02 PM

Farmers Markets, Co-Ops, growing your own, i have a book about growing veggies in pots for small patios and such. not all vegans a strict on the organic, i always felt for me normal veggies and fruits were fine, it all depends what your convictions are with being vegan/vege.

**Suzee** · 05-15-2007, 08:28 PM

Thank you. Actually, the request was made for my friend in Ohio. They keep telling her to eat fresh fruits and veggies. It is difficult for her to get to the store and there is no coop around that area. She gets food from the Methodist and the Catholic church pantries. Most of that is boxed and canned. There are lots of Farmer's Markets out here, so I don't have difficulty. I'm just trying to figure out a way to help her. Her little car has to last a lot longer. Thanks, again.

**mommy4ever** · 05-23-2007, 11:00 AM

I'm making the transition to vegan.

I've no worries about iron or b12, as everytime I've been anemic, my dr. has told me to cut back on red meat, as it inhibits absorption, but to UP green leafy veggies. Usually within a couple weeks my levels are strong. Caffeine is also an inhibitor.

A great way to get in greens, is to add 2 to 3 cups to a blender with about 1 cup of water, blend it til smooth then add your fruit to make your favorite smoothie! My favorite is spinach in the green smoothie, with 3 bananas, a handful of berries and an orange. Mmmm. It makes 1.5-2 quarts. I pour myself a glass, then put the rest in pint jars. They travel well. And are very healthy. Sometimes I add blue green algae for more "kick". I don't notice the spinach. Chard is ok too. As both have tender leaves. Romaine and parsley are good too. I didn't care for kale as the leaves are alittle stronger, as is the flavor of the green. But they are all nutrient dense!

**acidcookie** · 05-23-2007, 12:11 PM

I have no problem with nutrients either, as I eat a lot of dark green salads, veggies, fruits, and only whole grains like oatmeal and whole wheat bread.

I just don't want to cut out the yogurt and fish!