Vegan Lifestyle - Intrigue

[libuse]

If you're currently a meat-eater Leviathan13, it's a big step to move straight into veganism, so I tend to agree with the previous comment, advising that starting out with vegetarianism might be the best way. Going vegan is not just about giving up meat, fish and poultry - it's about giving up anything to do with animals and their by-products - so no cow or goat milk, no cheese or eggs, nothing that contains any kind of animal fat - like cakes, biscuits, ice-creams, jellies, trifles, pastry etc that contain any animal by-products - like butter, gelatine, suet etc. It means not using toiletries and cosmetics that contain lanolin....it means not wearing clothes and shoes that are made of leather, or wool.

 

Veganism is a very spartan lifestyle and it takes a lot of commitment. I have a friend who went totally vegan when he was 19 and now, in his early 50's, he's still totally vegan. I admire his ability to stand by his principles, but I must say that he is very slight and skinny, he feels the cold easily and seems to get every bug and virus doing the rounds. He's also very boring to invite round - you can't even give him a cup of herbal tea and a digestive biscuit, without he's scrutinizing the ingredients on the biscuit packet to ascertain that there are no animal fats included!

 

I don't think that total veganism is a particularly healthy lifestyle - I think the best way to be healthy is to have a bit of everything, but in moderation.....

 

Hmmm, I think you're being a bit bleak there. Vegan food is pretty easy now, especially because there are literally thousands of food bloggers who share vegan recipes all the time, and quite a few books published on the back of those blogs. You don't have to rule out cakes/desserts, there are tons of ways of making vegan baking and puddings, using avocado, maple syrup, dates, aquafaba, tofu etc etc. Check Foodgawker's website for some ideas.

 

Also, the OP is considering veganism for health reasons rather than ethical reasons, so there is no compulsion for him/her to be checking for lanolin, leather, wool and so on, unless s/he's considering eating it

[crookedspire]

Does anyone on here follow a Vegan lifestyle what are the pros and cons of it. Also what do you eat for a breakfast that's long lasting also what about getting Zinc and Iron in your diet?

[Chammy]

I started down the Vegan route just over a week ago - primarily for the health benefits but as I've done more research I'm now on it for ethical reason too.

 

Cons: eating out - you really have to do your research before or you're left with salad. I went to Las Iguanas on Friday night and the place is so vegan friendly, we had the most amazing meal. Whereas I went to a Fayre and Square pub this afternoon and was left disappointed in what I could have.

The dairy switch: It can take a few attempts to find things you like to substitute dairy esp milk. My husband loves hemp milk whereas I don't so I have rice milk.

 

Pros: I feel so much better already. No IBS or bloating or sluggishness since I started. I'm sleeping better and the shopping has been cheaper haha

 

Breakfast: scrambled tofu, muesli with rice milk or soya yoghurt and fruit, toast, crumpets, cereal, cooked breakfast using vegan sausages, omelette (you can work your way around not using eggs), smoothies - you can basically have what you normally have, just swap dairy for non-dairy etc.

 

Zinc: Cereals, fruits, mushrooms, asparagus, maple syrup.

Iron: Spinach, chickpeas, kidney beans, nuts, dark chocolate/cocoa, seeds (flax, chia, pumpkin), quinoa.

[maelstrom]

Hi crookedspire, if you'd like to come to the Sheffield Vegan Approach on Sat 4th June you'd be able to get support with going vegan through June. Though you (and anyone else reading this) would be more than welcome to join us for any of the rest of it. There'll be an introduction to veganism workshop from 10am - 12pm followed by a free food fair where you can try lots of different vegan dishes and 16 stalls from businesses & campaign groups from 12-4pm. The whole event is free to get in and there will be talks from the experts (including one on vegan nutrition) and film showings too. It's being held at the Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James St, S1 2EW (near the Cathedral) Here's the fb event page

 

Also you'd be welcome to join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sheffieldvegansandveggies/ group and https://www.facebook.com/SheffieldVeganMeetUp/?fref=ts to meet others and get advice.

 

Pro's are obviously it mitigates against a great deal of animal cruelty/exploitation, it's effects on the environment are far less than that of typical Western meat & dairy centric diet. Also the majority of people who go vegan feel healthier and are less prone to developing the most common lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes & some cancers and if you stick to a mainly wholefoods based diet it works out cheaper. Cons could possibly be that others take a while to adjust to your new lifestyle (or even that the odd person are hostile towards it). But these days there are many other vegans around so people are more used to it and you can get to meet others through the groups I listed above. It can be a little tricky to adapt at first, knowing where the best places to shop (and what products are suitable) along with eating out but you soon get used to it and it's pretty easy if you live in Sheffield, (though a bit trickier but not impossible in smaller places).

 

The Being Vegan In Sheffield map has loads of places to shop/eat out at that are vegan friendly (including cafes/restaurants/takeaways & Pubs) https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1dMPxmB4cJoSlx6yQfcWUcP2qiY8 If you're going to other places or somewhere you're not familiar with it always worth checking on http://www.happycow.net/ as it lists places all over the world. This site is really good http://www.veganuary.com/eating-out/ as it tells you what vegan options are at most chain places along with cuisine guides to help you order in independent places. The rest of the site is great too and covers everything you need to know from recipes, nutritional advice, the benefits of veganism and more. There are many facebook groups whcih are really helpful such as https://www.facebook.com/groups/vegangroupuk/ & https://www.facebook.com/groups/VSF.UK/ (for products you can find in supermarkets).

 

Chammy has listed some good options for breakfast, there are quite a lot of cereals from supermarkets that are vegan (but they tend to be the own brand ones and the more wholefood type). This site is also great for finding products such as cereals, but also lots of other things like snack foods (biscuits/crisps etc) http://theveganwomble.blogspot.co.uk/

 

One thing she didn't mention is porridge, that's great option which gives you long lasting energy and you can add many toppings such as fruit/seeds etc. I also like to have breakfast smoothies that consist of oats, banana's, some plant milk & water, peanut butter & then maybe frozen fruit or greens such as kale/spinach &/or cocoa powder (with a bit of sweetener if desired) and flax seeds/chia.

 

---------- Post added 09-05-2016 at 19:40 ----------

 

Zinc: Wholegrains/wholegrain rice, tofu, lentils, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds.

 

Iron: Tofu, beans & pulses, cabbage, spinach, dates, prunes, pumpkin seeds, molasses, (best absorbed with vit C from green leafy veg, cabbage, broccoli, green peppers, potatoes, frozen peas, blackcurrents & oranges).

 

These charts are a handy thing to have: http://www.lizcookcharts.co.uk/nutrition-chart.php

 

Hope this helps

[crookedspire]

I started down the Vegan route just over a week ago - primarily for the health benefits but as I've done more research I'm now on it for ethical reason too.

 

Cons: eating out - you really have to do your research before or you're left with salad. I went to Las Iguanas on Friday night and the place is so vegan friendly, we had the most amazing meal. Whereas I went to a Fayre and Square pub this afternoon and was left disappointed in what I could have.

The dairy switch: It can take a few attempts to find things you like to substitute dairy esp milk. My husband loves hemp milk whereas I don't so I have rice milk.

 

Pros: I feel so much better already. No IBS or bloating or sluggishness since I started. I'm sleeping better and the shopping has been cheaper haha

 

Breakfast: scrambled tofu, muesli with rice milk or soya yoghurt and fruit, toast, crumpets, cereal, cooked breakfast using vegan sausages, omelette (you can work your way around not using eggs), smoothies - you can basically have what you normally have, just swap dairy for non-dairy etc.

 

Zinc: Cereals, fruits, mushrooms, asparagus, maple syrup.

Iron: Spinach, chickpeas, kidney beans, nuts, dark chocolate/cocoa, seeds (flax, chia, pumpkin), quinoa.

Thanks for the info Iv been Vegan for about a week and a half feel better like yourself. Was hard to start with but getting their.

 

---------- Post added 10-05-2016 at 17:02 ----------

 

Hi crookedspire, if you'd like to come to the Sheffield Vegan Approach on Sat 4th June you'd be able to get support with going vegan through June. Though you (and anyone else reading this) would be more than welcome to join us for any of the rest of it. There'll be an introduction to veganism workshop from 10am - 12pm followed by a free food fair where you can try lots of different vegan dishes and 16 stalls from businesses & campaign groups from 12-4pm. The whole event is free to get in and there will be talks from the experts (including one on vegan nutrition) and film showings too. It's being held at the Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James St, S1 2EW (near the Cathedral) Here's the fb event page

 

Also you'd be welcome to join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sheffieldvegansandveggies/ group and https://www.facebook.com/SheffieldVeganMeetUp/?fref=ts to meet others and get advice.

 

Pro's are obviously it mitigates against a great deal of animal cruelty/exploitation, it's effects on the environment are far less than that of typical Western meat & dairy centric diet. Also the majority of people who go vegan feel healthier and are less prone to developing the most common lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes & some cancers and if you stick to a mainly wholefoods based diet it works out cheaper. Cons could possibly be that others take a while to adjust to your new lifestyle (or even that the odd person are hostile towards it). But these days there are many other vegans around so people are more used to it and you can get to meet others through the groups I listed above. It can be a little tricky to adapt at first, knowing where the best places to shop (and what products are suitable) along with eating out but you soon get used to it and it's pretty easy if you live in Sheffield, (though a bit trickier but not impossible in smaller places).

 

The Being Vegan In Sheffield map has loads of places to shop/eat out at that are vegan friendly (including cafes/restaurants/takeaways & Pubs) https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1dMPxmB4cJoSlx6yQfcWUcP2qiY8 If you're going to other places or somewhere you're not familiar with it always worth checking on http://www.happycow.net/ as it lists places all over the world. This site is really good http://www.veganuary.com/eating-out/ as it tells you what vegan options are at most chain places along with cuisine guides to help you order in independent places. The rest of the site is great too and covers everything you need to know from recipes, nutritional advice, the benefits of veganism and more. There are many facebook groups whcih are really helpful such as https://www.facebook.com/groups/vegangroupuk/ & https://www.facebook.com/groups/VSF.UK/ (for products you can find in supermarkets).

 

Chammy has listed some good options for breakfast, there are quite a lot of cereals from supermarkets that are vegan (but they tend to be the own brand ones and the more wholefood type). This site is also great for finding products such as cereals, but also lots of other things like snack foods (biscuits/crisps etc) http://theveganwomble.blogspot.co.uk/

 

One thing she didn't mention is porridge, that's great option which gives you long lasting energy and you can add many toppings such as fruit/seeds etc. I also like to have breakfast smoothies that consist of oats, banana's, some plant milk & water, peanut butter & then maybe frozen fruit or greens such as kale/spinach &/or cocoa powder (with a bit of sweetener if desired) and flax seeds/chia.

 

---------- Post added 09-05-2016 at 19:40 ----------

 

Zinc: Wholegrains/wholegrain rice, tofu, lentils, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds.

 

Iron: Tofu, beans & pulses, cabbage, spinach, dates, prunes, pumpkin seeds, molasses, (best absorbed with vit C from green leafy veg, cabbage, broccoli, green peppers, potatoes, frozen peas, blackcurrents & oranges).

 

These charts are a handy thing to have: http://www.lizcookcharts.co.uk/nutrition-chart.php

 

Hope this helps

Thank you , will attend your event could be very helpful.