I'm becoming vegan, any advice?

[JosephsDreams]

I am not a professional, how ever I have seen a dietician, and looked up nutrition values of food and health benifits of them.
I can tell you this, She recommended for me, to eat a well ballanced diet and more exercise.

A well ballanced diet in one meal is this, 50% vegtables, 25% meat, and 25% starches.
So a fist size piece of meat, is 1 serving, a bout 1 cup of pasta, would be 1 serving and about 4 cups of fruits and veggies would be about 2 servings. This is of course she made this reccomendation in accordance with the Canada food guide.

It was also suggested to my specific situation, and the informatio could be slightly off as it was suggested quite a few years ago. So here is my advice to you, If you have any concerns about your diet, you should see a qualified nutrtionist or dietition,
and if you have any medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.... talk to your family physician first about changing your diet and exercise routine. Because most fruits are high in natural sugars, and meats are ususally loaded with protein and iron.

If you don't have any health concerns you could also just look up reputable resources for health and nutrition, and make your own descision. Also look up information on working out to what exercises will help you loose weight. But simply switching to a special diet just for the sake of change without adequite information could be hazardous to your health.
As you could be neglecting your body of vitamins and minerals needed for it to function.

Remember a one size fits all diet is probably just a money grab and could be dangerous if not properly supervised.
You do not want to pick a diet that could jepordize your health if it neglects your body of what it needs to function and survive.

This is such h a common hurdle I often have to get people to leap over. The problem is doctor's have very little nutritional training in college and RD's are being trained and educated using a old out dated paradigm.
So John Q public just repeats what they hear believing it to be gospel. I can't really blame the average person.

But stop and think. How many peop,e do you know how get seriously ill due to vitamin or mineral or other like deficiencies? Almost no one does. In fact the problem is just the opposite. Many people are getting to much protein or other substances that are contributors to disease.

The way to look at this is to question how are the foods we are eating are are ting our body chemistry on a cellular level and systemic fasbion.

 

[maxwel]

When any of my friends become vegan, and ask for nutritional advice...

I tell them to add more pork to their diet.

 

[Innerfire89]

Doooon't Doooooo iiiiiiit! That's my advice. I'd die without meat . I eat a LOT of meat. I also raise almost all of it myself (or hunt it), so the cruelty you mentioned isn't a deal.

And for the record, are you talking vegan, or vegetarian?

There's a difference?

 

[Innerfire89]

First know that everyone's body is different and will react to different diets.... differently. If you are going to make a serious change to your diet, it's my unprofessional opinion that you seek professional advice. Via dietitian. That- or do a lot of research and pay close attention to how your body reacts to certain foods.

Second, do some research in your local area for independent ranchers. My Grandfather, for example, is a cattle rancher and they are treated better than how some people treat their dogs. And the quality of meat gain from that definitely speaks for itself. Maybe look and see if there are any Amish ranchers who might do some business with you.

Third, Before you decide to go full on vegan... you need to know what that means. Because Veganism means no animal products. If you really want to completely boycott meat factories, you're going to need to do some research. Gelatin, an easy example, is found in lots of candies, cheesecake, jell-o, and others, is an animal product. Shopping for groceries is going to be difficult, and similarly will be ordering at a restaurant. Sadly, a diet choice is still an excuse for some people to treat their customers with disrespect.

Fourthly, if at the end of the day, you still feel like veganism is the right thing for you, learn your super foods. Bananas, for example, are amazing.

And Fifth, but not least, if you decide to change your mind down the road, please know that your stomach will not have the strength to digest meat if you go without for a long time. You'll have to slowly introduce it to your diet again or you could actually hurt yourself.

There's actually no way to eat from grocery stores without buying something that caused the death of an animal. If a section of land is cleared out for farming than animals lost a place to live and many died as a result.

 

[Innerfire89]

Be prepared to deal with judgement and hate from others. Most of my family in the USA didn't know I was vegan until I went to a family BBQ over the summer. Lol awkward.. Some even made jokes at my expense. I respect their right to choose but mine I had to defend.

Thats the first thing I was met with. The first person I mentioned becoming a vegain to was my mother and she seemed angry that I might cause some inconvenience by not eating meat.

 

[Innerfire89]

To answer the question posed by the title of this thread, don't become vegan. It's a cult, and animals are part of our food chain. You will need dietary supplements, that you otherwise wouldn't need.

Lol, a cult?

 

[maxwel]

Thats the first thing I was met with. The first person I mentioned becoming a vegain to was my mother and she seemed angry that I might cause some inconvenience by not eating meat.

Wait wait wait...

you're a Calvinist AND a vegan?


That makes you... like... a Calvegan.



That's so confusing, I don't even know what that means.



So... does that mean... you believe I was predestined to eat the animals you're trying to save?


???

 

[Innerfire89]

My advice is to don't do it. Why would you want to take all of the joy out eating?

It's an ethical choice.

 

[Innerfire89]

Wait wait wait...

you're a Calvinist AND a vegan?


That makes you... like... a Calvegan.



That's so confusing, I don't even know what that means.



So... does that mean... you believe I was predestined to eat the animals you're trying to save?


???

No, I don't believe God is the author of evil, repulsive, inhuman, pure evil. Lol.

 

[maxwel]

No, I don't believe God is the author of evil, repulsive, inhuman, pure evil. Lol.

Evil, repulsive and inhuman?
Well... ummm... I don't think I'm inhuman.



Inhuman...

Ya know, I don't think I would be inhuman unless I ate other humans.

To the best of my knowledge I've never done that.

 

[Innerfire89]

Evil, repulsive and inhuman?
Well... ummm... I don't think I'm inhuman.



Inhuman...

Ya know, I don't think I would be inhuman unless I ate other humans.

To the best of my knowledge I've never done that.

There's no telling what might be in chicken nuggets. Lol.

 

[Millie1000]

Hi inner fire! First of all I respect your choice very much and I encourage you in that path. I can suggest an idea of vegan breakfast that is both healthy and delicious : a glass of two fresh pressed oranges, a bowl of chia seeds in rice milk, some berries (get frozen ones if easier) on the side and if you are very hungry enjoy two slices of wholemeal bread with peanut butter. Bon appetit!

 

[Tinuviel]

There's a difference?

Yes. Vegetarians don't eat meat, but still eat eggs, milk, jello, honey...those animal products like that. Vegans don't do any animal products at all. I guess I can see people becoming Vegetarian (though I'd never do it), but Vegan can't be very healthy, imo.

 

[Innerfire89]

Yes. Vegetarians don't eat meat, but still eat eggs, milk, jello, honey...those animal products like that. Vegans don't do any animal products at all. I guess I can see people becoming Vegetarian (though I'd never do it), but Vegan can't be very healthy, imo.

I actually came to a new conclusion. It's my right to eat meat, I'm stopping because of other people's misuse of animals. So Im gonna eat and demand better, I am a paying customer after all.

 

[Tinuviel]

I actually came to a new conclusion. It's my right to eat meat, I'm stopping because of other people's misuse of animals. So Im gonna eat and demand better, I am a paying customer after all.

There you go! I don't know if this is available for you, but we have a few little butchers near us where pasture fed cattle are taken a few at a time and slaughtered and processed on site. It ends up being MUCH more humane than the streamlined stuff. A little more spendy too, of course, but that's expected.

 

[JosephsDreams]

There is levels of vegans among veganism. Some say that to be a complete vegan you can not wear anything that is from a animal, including make-up, or take any meds that may have animal products them. Or supplements. Most capsules contains animal component.

I am not of that school. Well I don't wear make-up or take meds, so that is a non issue for me. Still I do take some supplements that have capsules that contain a animal ingredient. But it is so scant, that it means nothing negative to my health, nor does it bother my conscience. I try to stay away from clothes that are from animals, and mostly do. Again, I still sleep at night.

Yes, I sometimes use honey too.

As far as any eggs, diary, meat, etc., or any other animal food, no way. been 100% vegan in that regard for over 25 years.

 

[Tinuviel]

There is levels of vegans among veganism. Some say that to be a complete vegan you can not wear anything that is from a animal, including make-up, or take any meds that may have animal products them. Or supplements. Most capsules contains animal component.

I am not of that school. Well I don't wear make-up or take meds, so that is a non issue for me. Still I do take some supplements that have capsules that contain a animal ingredient. But it is so scant, that it means nothing negative to my health, nor does it bother my conscience. I try to stay away from clothes that are from animals, and mostly do. Again, I still sleep at night.

Yes, I sometimes use honey too.

As far as any eggs, diary, meat, etc., or any other animal food, no way. been 100% vegan in that regard for over 25 years.

Thanks for the added info about veganism. I did not know that . I was wondering something about vegans the other day that maybe you could tell me? I get that vegetarianism is often done as a healthier life choice, or for humane reasons (as was the case of the OP), but veganism has always had me stumped. Do you believe it inhumane to milk cows, keep chickens, shear sheep, etc. or is it a health/religious reason? Because I talked to a vegan who thought keeping animals was inhumane and that just didn't make sense to me. (No judgement here, just curious).

 

[JosephsDreams]

Thanks for the added info about veganism. I did not know that . I was wondering something about vegans the other day that maybe you could tell me? I get that vegetarianism is often done as a healthier life choice, or for humane reasons (as was the case of the OP), but veganism has always had me stumped. Do you believe it inhumane to milk cows, keep chickens, shear sheep, etc. or is it a health/religious reason? Because I talked to a vegan who thought keeping animals was inhumane and that just didn't make sense to me. (No judgement here, just curious).

In the context of living in a fallen world, I don't consider milking cows or shearing sheep as unethical or in-morale. As far as cooping up chickens or cows or similar examples, I have a issue with that. I do think it is inhumane. I am okay with allowing them room to roam, raising them for the purpose of one day eating them, as I understand most people have to have their meat. Just the way most farmers do it, and I am not picking on them, they have competition pressures, but the way they do it - holding them in such small spaces and feeding them steroids and antibiotics and hormones, that is a nightmare. Even framing it that we live in a fallen world I think that the treatment of these animals is sinful and maybe borderline criminal.

Of course if Eve and Adam have never sinned, we would all be 100% raw and vegans and getting along with animals. They would not kill us for food nor we them. But that boat has sailed long ago...

 

[Tommy379]

There is levels of vegans among veganism. Some say that to be a complete vegan you can not wear anything that is from a animal, including make-up, or take any meds that may have animal products them. Or supplements. Most capsules contains animal component.

I am not of that school. Well I don't wear make-up or take meds, so that is a non issue for me. Still I do take some supplements that have capsules that contain a animal ingredient. But it is so scant, that it means nothing negative to my health, nor does it bother my conscience. I try to stay away from clothes that are from animals, and mostly do. Again, I still sleep at night.

Yes, I sometimes use honey too.

As far as any eggs, diary, meat, etc., or any other animal food, no way. been 100% vegan in that regard for over 25 years.

Different levels. Seems like a cult, like scientology.