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going vegan
Started
by Rachel T
on February 3, 2010
I want to make the transition from vegetarian to vegan. Been vegetarian a very long time and have consistently used vegan foods/products whenever possible. I want to try going vegan permanently, starting maybe one day a month, or a week at a time, to adjust to it.
Do you lovely people have any tips or suggestions for me?
I'd start off with milk replacement right off: try rice milk, hemp milk, or soy milk. I prefer the unflavored because they have less sugar. That's an easy switch to make right away; you'll hardly realize you're not having cow's milk. Getting off cheese may be harder, as many have reported, but I've had no problems, really.
I think you'll find it doesn't have to be quite that gradual, since you're already most of the way there!
Hi
Thanks for the reply, Quinne.
I love rice milk, we have some great varieties here. I've always been using it in cooking, in cereals and drinks etc, but never quite drunk it alone yet. So that's a good place to start. I've been cutting back normal cheese, and I've tried some vegan cheeses so far.
One thing I really do love is vegan chocolate. Especially when it's made with rice milk, so yummy.
What sort of cheese replacements do you guys use?
I've been trying differen't tofu recipes, such as scrambled, in replacement of eggs. Any other suggestions?
Maybe the thought of doin it pernanently is more scary than actually doing it, does anyone else find this?
Hi, Try almond milk instead of soy, but make sure it's the unsweetened kind. The real problem in all this is SUGAR, it is the real killer out there. Also too many soy products have been GM. It is amazing how quickly you start to feel a change form dairy milk. Cheers
I'm with you! I've only been vegetarian for two months but I know I want to go vegan. I'm reading all I can and doing research I guess. I too drink soy/almond milk instead of using regular milk, but I'll still eat desserts made with milk at this point. I use earth balance butter and I don't use any cheese at home but when i'm out I still eat it.
I agree that the term forever is scary. I tend to buy products that are vegan already so I can start identifying them easier when I'm at the grocery store. I agree with Anjali and taking one day at a time is best. I eat vegan some days already. I think the first step is to actually dedicate a couple of days a week to eating vegan and doing it gradually. I think that would be the best way for me, I'm not sure if you want to jump feet first though!
:)
don't think "forever" . that can make any change/task/goal more daunting. take it day by day. i believe that it may be beneficial to go vegan more than one day per month. everyone is different but it might take you quite some time to make the change if that schedule is kept. plus, the benefits will come much later. you don't want to wait for the great benefits!! i don't see anyone having too much trouble, especially if they are already vegetarian. it is usually much more simple than most people may think.
take it one day at a time. strive for as many days vegan as possible in a week. think of things as replacements, not substitutes. have fun and explore. embrace all the wonderful change!!
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