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Vegetarian to Vegan
Started
by Lisa Jackson
on February 7, 2010
I am on week 2 of going vegan, cold turkey! (hope it's ok to say turkey) I too have felt a little sluggish but mostly feel great. I suffer from chronic headaches and after seeing a number of doctors and "specialists" who can't figure it out, I'm taking matters into my own hands and hoping what I put in my body is what is triggering the headaches. I live in Idaho, so needless to say, we don't have a lot of health food stores here. Most people here thrive on meat, dairy and of course potatoes (which I can have thankfully!). My parents think I'm crazy, but I'm still determined. I agree with John, go at your own pace and do what you can with what you have. Alicia says in the book "if you slip off of the wagon, just get back on it" and although I haven't slipped yet, the holidays are coming and that could be my biggest test!
Cheers vegans!
Mandy Jo
That is so great you all going from vegetarian to vegan, I am going on a year going vegan, and I know how all of you feel from going from dairy to vegan cold turkey, I felt sluggish, headaches, kinda like I had the flu, I think that is part of the detox. I am like mandy in which there are not alot of health stores around here I do enjoy alicias book but I also like Everyday Happy Herbivore because I am still eating vegan yet I can find all the ingredients in most grocery stores. So I save alot of money not having to pay shipping from amazon. Everyone keep up the great work and you will feel awesome once all the cravings and detox symptoms go away I promise!! Happy holidays to everyone!!!
Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check out that book b/c as much as I love Alicia's book, we don't have access to a lot of the ingredients here and if we do, we pay an arm and a leg for them! And yes, today is a bad headache day, but I'm hoping that it's just part of the process! Happy Holidays all!
hi! I´m on the transition from vegetarian to vegan at the moment- hoping to come clean with the new year and am naturally intrigued with your experiences.. and, as I didn´t miss meat when I became vegetarian (as far as I can remember!;-), I´m surprised that there is a cold turkey to expect when cutting out dairy! how long did you suffer from those detox symptoms? just to prepare myself;-) I´m sure the change pays off eventually!
Hi All,
I am a new vegetarian (two months) and am loving it so much that I'm now transitioning to vegan. The hardest parts for me are 1) letting go of cheese and also 2) trying to enjoy restaurants (I live in a small town) that cook without dairy. Question - How much does it hurt to live "mostly vegan" and then have vegetarian dishes when out to eat and struggling to find vegan options? What are others experience with this?
Thanks All,
Cara (Ames, Iowa)
HI Cara,
I am about 3 months in to becoming vegan as well! I live in a pretty small, VERY conservative town and at first it was difficult to adjust to my new diet ( I dont really like calling it a diet!). Going out to eat was especially hard but I took advice from Alicia's book and I started looking the menu up online before I went to places. This helps elminate the awkwardness with the server at the restaurant(s) as well as whoever you are with. I have even called ahead a few times just to see what they have on their menu that's vegan or at least can be made vegan. When I get to the restaurant I usually ask the waitress/waitor before everyone is ordering about what they have. As long as you're nice about it, most servers are totally fine with it!
On rare occasions when they are little to no options, I've just sucked it up and ate it but this is usually just a little butter here and there, nothing too crazy. I usually feel a little guilty afterwards but I figure that 98% of the time I am eating healthy, vegan dishes so 2% isn't too bad right? :) PLus, going out to eat should be an enjoyable experience! Not stressful. Good luck!
Hi Cara!
Congratulations on the success being vegetarian! Best of luck with the transition to vegan. Its important to take it at your own pace and enjoy it thoroughly.
Letting of cheese is very difficult for most of us because we literally become addicted to it. Mammals produce casomorphins in their milk, which keeps young from straying far from mom. This is a natural drug dependency that ensures the success of that species. As such, when we consume it almost daily our whole lives, its natural to have withdrawal symptoms upon its removal.
Concerning the restaurant dilemma, I lived in a small town too and had a hard time eating at places. When I was starting out I would fudge the ocassional dish here and there but now I avoid it entirely.
To answer your question, exactly how much it hurts is really a matter of your own level of conviction and belief system regarding veganism. Any (decent) restaurant you go to should be able to arrange a great "veggie plate" for you off-menu. You can make things easier by calling ahead or looking at their menu online. I personally try to avoid using the word "vegan" especially in small towns (unless its a vegetarian/vegan place) The word vegan carries some ethical conotations that commonly cause unessesary friction and awkwardness with some folks. (Images of crazed crust-punks dousing fur coat wearers with red paint and such). At times I've settled for eating a mountain of french fries because nothing was vegan. I personally place avoidance of animal products above my personal health :P
I'm a pretty strict vegan but then again I live 2 miles away from the Whole Foods HQ so I no longer have problems with eating at restaurants.
Bottom line I would say is, its great that you are making the transition and if something can't accomodate your vegan needs then they can certainly accomodate your vegetarian ones. Hopefully with time those places will know you and implement vegan options! Best of luck.
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