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Need advice for eliminating dairy and eggs
Started
by Nicole Simon
on May 1, 2010
Hi everyone, I recently decided to become a full vegetarian and eliminate fish and poultry from my diet. I haven't eaten red meat or pork for years due to not wanting to eat cows or pigs (I have no tolerance for it now. I tried some hamburger a few years ago because there was nothing else to eat, and it felt like someone stuck a rock in my stomach for 3 days- I haven't touched it since). I haven't given up dairy or eggs, but intend on gradually taking them out of my diet as much as possible. Does anyone have suggestions? Should I try to go full out and give them up entirely? Or gradual? I feel with my eating habbits and cravings, if I give up dairy and eggs right away, I will crave them too much and end up bingeing. I have gone to organic dairy for now, but would appreciate any advice. thanks!
I would say do it gradually and use substitutes so that way you don't "relapse" or something like that. :)
About a two years ago my husband and I gave up red meat cheese and sugar for a six week trial. This was suggested by Dr. Neal Barnard. Once we did this though, we never really went back to how we had eaten previously. Not consciously of course, it was just that cheese was a bit overwhelming for us when we did have it.
I have to say that there is nothing that will make up for the texture and satisfaction of cheese, except the knowledge that you are doing the right thing for your body. When a cheese craving was particularly bad I would eat an avocado. The texture really did seem to help with that aspect and we learned quickly how to make foods without cheese that were very tasty. What really shocked us was the fact that as the days passed, foods tasted stronger! Suddenly a peach was like eating dessert!
As for eggs, when we are baking we usually use applesauce or a vegan egg replacer but that has become a rarity. I would suggest that you slowly introduce yourself to a new breakfast or recipe perhaps once a week that can replace the eggs and cheese. Then slowly build on that until you have several recipes that satisfy you that you can easily move to as you move away from cheese and eggs.
I wish you the best of luck! Elizabeth
When baking you can use 1 mashed banana for every 2 eggs in the recipe. We do this for muffins, pancakes, waffles, cookies etc.
For getting rid of mayo (eggs) on sandwiches, there is a vegan version that we like, but even better, I started using mashed Avocado instead as my sandwich spread. I'll sprinkle some garlic salt and basil, then add my veggies. Yum!
For Cheese, there is a lot of ooey gooey goodness you can do with blended beans, nuts, and seeds that will replace the texture. Also I used to use Tofu a LOT to make ricotta type or creamy pasta sauces.
The only thing I still craved was Annie's Mac and Cheese... But its been probably a year since I've craved that from switching to a more raw food diet, my cravings have changed.
Enjoy your newest food journey. Trying new things is the fun part.
A resource that helped me greatly get off of dairy was godairyfree.org and they also have a book that was a HUGE help to me.
When I gave up dairy, I had just heard about the dairy calves and how they are taken horribly from their moms, chained, and then used for veal. I think of this anytime I'm tempted to drink something with milk. And, I loved eggs. But, again thinking of the treatment reminds me not to contribute to that. I use a lot of soy milk and soy cheese. Now, some are bad but some are good. You just have to try different ones. I admire you doing what you can and the animals thank you too.
Thanks for the advice, and any additional will help too. It is hard where I live to have a vegeratian or vegan lifestyle (I currently live in Omaha, Nebraska...need I say more). I am an urban/suburban gal, but unfortunately I do see how cattle are treated whenever I have to pass by cattle farms when I go to Colorado or to other parts of the midwest. Remebering where these food iotems comes from is why I gave up pork and red meat in the first place, but reminding myself of how dairy and eggs are produced in such cruel ways will defintely help. Thanks!
A vegetarian for only 3 months and I have not had any issues giving up milk or eggs. The cheese has been my challenge. I am taking baby steps towards a cheese free life by using half of what I would normally use in a dish. My co worker has tried almond cheese and liked it so I think I might try that as well. It is so difficult to give up something so comforting. This forum and these posts really help to keep me grounded. Good luck Elizabeth and thank you Maureen for the website!!
dr. cow tree nut cheese (ny) u can order online and it is HANDS DOWN the best/realistic cheese. pure food and wine in nyc has an apetizer that samples a few of them.
I have been off of milk & eggs for about 2 months now. But I just can't seem to get used to Soy milk.
Is Smart balance milk okay to drink?? I'm doing fine without eggs. Any one have advise for me :-)
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