The KInd Life Community Forum

I am apprehensively flirting with veganism again. I was a vegetarian for seven years and could never imagine going back when my health spiraled out of control, causing a domino effect of problems. I began to question everything in my lifestyle, including my vegetarianism. I started eating a "conscious" omnivorous diet ( as if there is one, but you know: whole foods, humanely raised, etc.) I found out since this decision that my health problems were the result of a food allergy.

I want desperately to be vegan and for it to work. I worry that I will look flakey to my family and friends, many of whom rejoiced when I began eating meat. I feel like my vegetarian ethics have been publically tainted. I look so flakey, and much if my family would not respect my decision to become vegan, with all I have put them through over the years. I would just seem needy and demanding, not ethical! So I guess I will be privately flirting with veganism and hoping it will be the positive change I believe it will be.

PS I really feel like you have to arm yourself with information to help your family be supportive of your decision.

Hey guys,

Don't beat yourself up over the past, instead look forward to the future with new eyes. I too am reading the China Study; I am about 1/2 way through and I must say the book is truly changing my life. But there is a reason I say CHANGING because for me it is an ongoing process. Things don't have to be black or white for you. Just take it a day at a time and make the healthiest decisions you can. This forum alone has helped me so much on my journey.

I started out Vegetarian and have now pretty much adapted to about a 90% Vegan Diet, although I am not a complete Vegan yet. I do believe it is the best thing for my body but I struggle with eating out and going to houses of friends and family and asking a million questions about which ingredients are in which foods, so sometimes I compromise with small amounts of dairy. I am usually mad at myself afterwards, but I have learned being angry isn't the solution, it's trying to figure out a way to deal with the problem next time that is a better solution.

As far as your family thinking you are flakey--I think we have all been there. Especially when you bounce back and forth. My family has watched me go through many ups and downs, always wondering what diet trend I was trying next. Some years I would avoid carbs at all costs, the next year it was gluten, then it was dairy, then it was fat, then it was meat, then it was sugar, and on and on. The truth is, I never backed my diet decisions on research or nutritional health claims--instead I turned to diet trends (not such a good idea!) After discovering that carbohydrates in whole grain form are very good for my body and that I do not have a gluten allergy I have settled on a wholesome plant-based diet, and have finally felt better than I ever have in my life. But my journey isn't over, sometimes I feel as though it has just begun! And I like it that way!

Best of luck to both of you!

-L

http://lovesveggies.blogspot.com/

Hi, Sprout-

Totally understandable. You don't sound flaky to me at all. In fact, I think you sound quite courageous. Most people are very confused or simply don't know the first thing about nutrition, eating and health...BUT, unlike them at least you are willing to have an open mind and look at different alternatives, etc. You should be proud of yourself for that. That is a very positive trait and one to be proud of. =) That being said, I think the best way to approach what the situation you are in and what you would like to do with cold hard facts and data. I'm a physician and I have found that most people respond best to education and data if presented to them in a palatable way so to speak.

The suggestions of reading The China Study ARE fabulous! There was a NY Times interview with the author last week that was spectacular.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/07/nutrition-advice-from-the-china-study/

Also, if you want more immediate and "real people" proof for yourself of the health benefits associated with a vegan diet you might want to check out my blog. (www.theplantrx.com) In 4 days we are starting our Plant-based Health Study that will last for 60 days. We are measuring all blood work etc prior to starting at the midpoint and end to see how a vegan diet affects various health parameters. The participants (all 8) will be blogging about the experience as it occurs in real time. You can even interact with them if you like. Also, you will see that I am posting all of their blood results etc on the site in the interest of transparency. I also have personal testimonies and stories on their too if you are interested and will be adding more soon.

I hope that helps! Kindest Regards, Jenna

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! I have read many vegetarian and health books, but I haven't yet glanced at The China Study - I will have to pick up a copy asap! Between The Kind Life and picking up the newest issue of VegNews, I feel completely motivated and involved in a worldwide community, even if my own community will not necessarily jump for joy with my (re)decision. I feel 100 pounds lighter knowing that I will not be eating meat anymore!