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Share Your Vegan Experience for This Newbie!

Share Your Vegan Experience for This Newbie!

Started by Stephanie N. on July 3, 2011

9 Comments

Stephanie N. said #1 Jul 3, 2011 at 6:17pm

My husband and I have been "flirting" for the past month, only eating meat and dairy once a week or so (mainly to use up items in the house, but husband LOVES milk and is most concerned about giving it up) and we will be going full vegan on Tuesday. I am really excited and have a nearly stocked fridge and pantry with planned menus ready to cook!

My primary reasons for choosing this lifestyle is for health: I have lived with chronic pain and fatigue for years, and even though I have been steadily improving over the past 12 months, I want to feel AMAZING. I also need to shed some weight gained during this time when I couldn't exercise, and I hope to further improve the condition of my skin.

What physical (external and internal) results have you seen with a switch to veganism? How quickly did you notice the changes? How long have you been vegan?

Do you have any advice for us?

Thank you so much! I am excited to be part of this community since besides my husband, I am counting on the kindness of strangers for support!

Jenn said #2 Jul 3, 2011 at 6:50pm

Weeeeeeell Stephanie... congrats! I just went vegan about 2 months ago. It's so awesome that your husband is doing it with you too. That will help alot.

My personal experience... I had terrible abdonimal pain since I was about 6 (maybe before too but I can't remember any farther back than that.) I'm almost 35 now. The pain would be so bad I couldn't stand up or sit up. I had to lay on my side curled up until it passed. I decided to go vegan overnight and am so glad I did. The IBS the doctors diagnosed me with is gone. The pain is gone. I'm losing weight and I feel great! The pain went away immediately by the way.

For me... dairy was pretty easy to give up (especially after reading the section on dairy cows in Alicia's book...) But dairy has always been a big contributor to my pain and seeing the pain gone, made giving up the dairy easier. My advice for milk is to experiment with different nut milks and such. There's different nut milks, rice milk, hemp milk, soy milk... Maybe to start also, he could try some of the chocolate versions of these milks for drinking. Pacific makes a chocolate hazelnut milk that is amazing. I could drink it like water... but I don't... :) Almond milk is also very good (if you make it at home yourself - I think the store bought ones are gross).

He may find in time, that as he feels better and gets more accustomed to vegan food, that his craving for dairy (and the dairy replacements lessens). Probably all new vegans still have their cravings for something they loved in the past... it gets easier. Just gotta stick with it until you get over the initial cravings. I still have cravings, but if the craving is strong, I do look for something vegan that will ease the craving. And now already, I'm finding my need for these "replacement" foods lessoning and I actually crave whole unprocessed foods.

Anyway, that's my story. Congrats again to you and your hubby. You will do great!

Melanie Martin said #3 Jul 8, 2011 at 7:09am

Dairy is the one thing that kept me from going vegan for a long time. And now, I've done it and it's cool. My skin has improved, gassiness has improved. My dairy substitute of choice is coconut milk. I went to try all of them but none really did it for me.

Just take it one day at a time. It does take experimenting...

good luck

Dennis K said #4 Jul 8, 2011 at 7:29am

If your hubby is all about the milk, maybe you could have him try Soy or Almond milk. It's very tasty.

catconsrv said #5 Jul 8, 2011 at 7:37am

Hi Stephanie,

I have heard that people with fibromyalsia, also chronic pain, have benefited a lot from eliminating animal products from their diets. These things tend to lead to inflammation.

I came into a vegan diet for ethical and health reasons. I was not unhealthy or overweight, but I wanted to be as healthy as possible. I have seen no problems since becoming vegan 4 years ago, only good things. I always worked out and my weight has stayed healthy and I have even gained muscle mass (so much for those who say you don't get protein!). I have more energy than anyone I know. I am a bit different because I never craved meat, cheese, or milk. I was just never a person that had a favorite food I guess. Food was food. Since becoming vegan, however, I enjoy food so much more! I love almond milk! I like cooking and baking now!

My advice for you is to try to not rely too much on processed vegan foods because they are usually high in sugar and salt. They are good in a rush or when you are first transitioning, but try to mostly eat whole foods and lots of veggies! Also, green smoothies will give you a great energy boost!

Kirsten Kessler said #6 Jul 8, 2011 at 8:25am

Hi Stephanie-

I went vegan about 3 months ago. It's been great. I decided that I was not going to punish myself if I slipped up or chose to eat something not vegan. I ate cheese once and physically felt horrible, that was enough for me to know my body is not a fan. I still struggle with always checking the label on everything, but it gets easier. I feel awesome and that's enough to keep me choosing to eat this way.

The best piece of advice I read was from an interview on this website. I forget who it was, but she said that if she is craving dairy to eat avocado because your body is craving the fats. I eat tons of avocado and I am still losing/maintaining my weight.

I'm pretty particular about milk and have found the refrigerated coconut milk to be pretty delicious.

Good luck, enjoy feeling awesome.

Alysha Hill said #7 Jul 16, 2011 at 12:20am

I have been vegetarian for a few months and been vegan for about a month. The first week was tough because of the detox (headache and dry scratchy throat).

But now I feel absolutely fabulous...I cant even tell you how great i feel! It is soooo worth the detox stick with it!

imblissful said #8 Jul 19, 2011 at 10:46am

The improvement in my skin was so amazing. When I was vegetarian I still had horrible acne, but after becoming vegan the difference was such a treat.

My body just feels cleaner and less weighted down.

Mosqitos rarely bug me. I may be crazy, but other animals (deer, squirrels, chipmonks, rabbits, etc) don't seem to scamper off as quickly now that I am vegan, they must sence it.

Becoming vegan has brought me to this whole new world of compassion and caring.

Laura Reissman said #9 Jul 21, 2011 at 11:47am

Hi Stephanie. I've been vegan for a year and a half. I lost 20 lbs. and my IBS flare-ups disappeared, as did my chronic bouts of gassiness. I really like both almond and coconut milk and don't miss dairy at all.

I feel great, especially when I eat superhero.

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