The KInd Life Community Forum

Use this space to share stories, exchange ideas, ask questions, and contribute to our growing community!

Forum
Vegans Getting Started
Please help - vegetarian with cheese addiction

Please help - vegetarian with cheese addiction

Started by Dixie on October 30, 2009

10 Comments

Dixie said #1 Oct 30, 2009 at 12:36pm

I have been a vegetarian for over 2 years. I have been able to give up all animal products except for cheese. I have come to the conclusion that I am addicted to cheese. I have tried to read books for help on giving it up, but nothing has ever worked. I have tried vegan gourmet cheese and I did not care for it. Does anyone have any tricks, tips, or just good advice?

Thank You,
Dixie

Jackie Jones said #2 Oct 30, 2009 at 1:28pm

I LOVED cheese as a vegetarian, specifically platters of gourmet cheeses! And i loved feta!
I wondered if i would be able to sustain a vegan diet when i loved cheese so much.

So, at the start of this year, as my new year's resolution, i tried veganism for a month. I thought it would give me enough time to adjust & really assess if i could/wanted to continue with it.

During that month i didn't miss cheese at all, so i decided to continue for another month.

By the end of the second month, i knew that i could maintain a vegan lifestyle & i haven't looked back - i've been vegan now for 10 full months, & (surpirisingly to myself) couldn't imagine going back to eating cheese.

Maybe doing a bit of a trial like i did might help? :)
Jackie

Dixie said #3 Oct 30, 2009 at 1:41pm

Thanks Jackie,

That's awesome! good for you! You are inspiring me. =) I am definitely in the zone to go vegan lately. Now that you have been vegan for 10 months. Does the thought of eating cheese seem gross?

Thanks Again,
Dixie

Dixie said #4 Oct 30, 2009 at 1:47pm

Hey Jackie,

Did you lose weight once you gave up cheese?

Thanks Again,
Dixie

Leena said #5 Oct 30, 2009 at 7:15pm

I used to love cheese too!! What do you use cheese for? I could give you some general recommendations depending on your favorite uses/types of cheese.

Dixie said #6 Oct 30, 2009 at 8:45pm

I love blue cheese on salads. Blue Cheese Brie w/ triscuits, Quesadillas, Cheese on Chili, Grilled Cheese w/ tomatoe soup, and parmasean chs on pasta. Just to name a few. I don't crave sweets. Really the only food I crave is salt and cheese. I know that I have to give up cheese completely in order to not crave it anymore.

Thanks,
Dixie

Leena said #7 Oct 31, 2009 at 7:40am

Well cheese is certainly addictive. There are a few options.

Here is a Blue Cheese type dressing:
http://www.grouprecipes.com/42094/favorite-vegan-blue-cheese-dressing.html

There is also a product called Sheese that comes in Blue Cheese. I've personally never tried it.

I know it sounds odd but Avocado is actually a really good substitute for cheese. It gives you that creamy, fat that cheese does and it is a good substitute in salads/sandwiches and even on crackers.

Dr Cow cheese is expensive ($$$$) but it is a good aged type nut cheese. You can also make your own and vegetarian times just had something a couple months ago about that.
Here are some things I found online:
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/features/editors_picks/821
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/10028

The first vegetarian times article has a feta like recipe, a goat cheese like recipe, a cheddar like recipe and a parmesean like recipe.

You can play around with things like nutritional yeast sauces to put on top of chili.
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=12238.0

KK said #8 Oct 31, 2009 at 7:56am

I really feel your pain! Cashew nut cheese really helped me! Also, if you're use to drinking milk, almond milk is a really great substitute, in my opinion. Also, it's very nutritious.

Dixie said #9 Nov 1, 2009 at 3:55am

Thanks everyone for you helpful tips! I am feeling inspired! =)

Jackie Jones said #10 Nov 2, 2009 at 9:34am

Hi Dixie :)

To answer your questions, i think if i were to accidently eat some dairy cheese, i would be quite grossed out - it something it simply do not want to eat anymore. I still get so surprised that i don't miss it!

There are quite a few vegan cheeses out there - i can't say i've tried many.
But some things other things that i like are cashew [or other nut/seed] based cheeses for crackers, sandwiches spreads etc
Cashews also make nice creamy cheese sauces for things like lasagnes etc
I also like the nut cheeses or hummus on pizzas now too - here's one i made at home the other night, where i spread hummus on the base & also on top :)
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs037.snc3/12447_167124177209_714087209_2690595_7993376_n.jpg

Leena's given some great ideas to suit your tastes though! :)
I do really want to try out those feta & goats cheese V Times recipes Leena mentioned for myself now! :)

And i did lose a bit of weight since giving up the cheese, which in a way surprised me because i was probably still eating the same amount of fat etc from the nut-based etc cheeses.
I certainly feel less sluggish & heavy since giving up the cheese & eggs from my diet.

Join the Discussion!

Login or create an account on The Kind Life today and you'll be able to leave comments, share photos and videos with friends, and participate in community events!