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CALLING ALL COLLEGE VEGANS!!!
Started
by Belle Messina
on March 30, 2011
Are all bagels considered vegan?
What about tortillas and wrap tortillas are they vegan?
Also any advice anyone has about difficult situations such as having to tell people that you are vegan. What is the best way to tell people? For my dance class, which is small and I know everyone pretty well, we are having a pizza and ice cream party and I am dreading it because I am going to have to explain that I can't eat any of it. HELP!!!
Yes, bagels are vegan unless they are egg bagels. Otherwise, they should all be vegan.
As for wraps and tortillas, they may be vegan or they may not. Check the ingredients or ask wherever you're getting them from.
And yes, telling people you're vegan can be really awkward. Just politely refuse and explain that you don't eat any animal products. If they ask why, politely explain to them why. I just usually tell people its because I just don't like the idea of it, which is true! I'm sure you'll be fine. Even if people don't agree with your lifestyle, they won't think anything less of you. Who knows? Someone might actually think its awesome! I know I was always that girl who admired vegans before I became one =)
Amanda, in cetain situations where I don't feel like dealing with peoples' reactions or in some cases judgment, I just say I've had a stomach ache and so am not eating, or in some cases I've said I'm lactose intolerant (which isn't really true, but people usually immediate respect that because they don't know much about it. Lying might not be the way to go, but it's just a lot easier for days where you don't feel like dealing with the repercussions lol.
Hi Amanda,
I went to university in the UK so maybe it's different here, but I think it should still apply. Where I went we didn't have kitchens and had to eat in hall, so they had a legal requirement to produce food everyone could eat (as you had no choice but to eat there). You might get a better response if you tell them you've found that you are allergic to eggs and dairy, but you could ask them if there was anyway they could change their vegetarian foods to accomodate this.
Perhaps you could contact a college nurse/tutor/sympathetic lecturer group to sign something to back you up on this? Or find an animal rights group in your college who, even if you don't want to campaign with them, might be interested in helping you get some animal free foods in the cafeteria?
Also, (sorry this post is long!) I've taken to carrying the China study around with me. When people make sarky questions about my food choices I just hand it over the table and say I'm following its recommendations. Then you can avoid the whole 'I'm a vegan' conversation which seems to get some people's backs up.
Good luck collegiate vegans! It's tough but possible I found!
xx
How do you guys keep your energy levels up without coffee? I'm always so exhausted! Coffee was the only thing that could really get me going. I've been 95% off coffee for a few months now so I know I'm not experiencing withdrawal but I really need to pick my energy level up!
Hey Belle! I drink tea- I know its caffiene and maybe I shouldn't encourage it, but green (and black, but to a lesser extent) tea is full of antioxidants and the caffiene ups your metabolism. If you are opposed to tea I would suggest a NAP =D my favorite thing in the world is my bed. Its my fave place to be. Everything is better in bed: sleeping, lazing, reading, cuddling, eating, ANYTHING... lol. OR I suppose you could exercise, a few minutes of cardio has been proven to boost energy levels.
Actually it's really great for me:both where I live and my college campus are within walking distance of great organic stores so I can walk and get my lunch there. Vegan pizzas don't really tempt me,I'm staying away from processed foods at the moment...but the very berry spelt muffins are terrific! usually I try to have vegetables with hummus or quinoa for lunch when on campus,to keep my energy up.Only thing I hate how the veggies and quinoa get cold! nothing more icky than cold broccoli...well,except meat!
Keeping energy up:always have something for a snack,like a little carton of rice/soy milk,carrot sticks,flax or rice crackers.
You have to get to the point where other people's food doesn't faze you. I still struggle with it. But I'm lucky to have friends who support my choices and lifestyle. They don't offer me non- vegan food or try to tempt me. Eating healthy when you're a college student is challenging. If you're lucky enough to have access to your own kitchen it's a good idea to cook in bulk and have food to take with you on the go. Also carry around healthy snacks everywhere you go, like baby carrots or trail mix
Hey! I am so glad I found this post. I was looking for some fellow college vegans for advice! It is so hard sometimes, especially when my friends want to cook something together, I usually have to be very strong by what I need, you know? A lot of the time they are just curious or even lecture me that I am not getting enough protein (enough with the protein already! haha) But they are my friends so they understand. Is there any advice for super cheap vegan food? Some of the nice stuff I am so excited to try (like Daiya cheese) is so expensive. What are your favorite foods?
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