View Full Version : I'm switching to veganism!
MichelleJade
12-02-2008, 11:56 PM
While I don't bleed heavily for the most part, I do have terrible periods sometimes. Like puking, etc. I guess my mind's been on it a lot lately, just trying to figure it out. A couple of you have already mentioned that you have terrible periods too... could it be related? Maybe an iron deficieny... I dunno, I hope I'm not being terribly dumb and irrelevant.
pixierocksonthepole
12-03-2008, 12:44 AM
I was talking to Vegas Princess because I agree with her. I'm a bodybuilder, I eat 200 grams of protein a day. The judgement irks me too.
It was more of a response to the girl that VegasPrnicess had replied to. ^_^
LadyMoon
12-03-2008, 03:08 AM
A couple of you have already mentioned that you have terrible periods too... could it be related? Maybe an iron deficieny.I had almost an iron deficieny before I got the iud. I simply couldn't keep the iron levels high despite iron supplements I took. Just months after getting the iud the levels were okay. Nowadays I donor blood as often as it is allowed, without any problems (because I can and helping makes me feel good). I say, much better in the bag than in the drain...
ann0707
12-05-2008, 06:31 AM
forevernaked...you go girl!
it's such an easy, clean, and rewarding lifestyle!
I promise it is not hard, complex, or too much effort in any way regardless of what you hear.
I've been vegan 10 years:-) If you have any specific q's, just pm me...I
am a nutritionist, and other blah blah blah (by day, and diet consultant with less clothes at night:-) just playin, but actually it does come up w/ the girls and custies a lot now that I think if it
lovelife
12-05-2008, 09:56 AM
ForeverNaked..I have been vegan now for 2 yrs...cheese was the hardest for me..but I see that u have been having some problems with butter..I have an easy fix for u..it's called Earth Balance..it's a vegan butter..and I think it's even better than regular butter...if I was to quit being vegan today I'd still use that instead of regular butter...as a suggestion for next yrs holidays try making and bringing your own food..or if u have a super nice mom like mine she could make u special food...I give her a couple recipes and she makes them for me special...I had some awesome stuffed squash, candied baby carrots, and a yam apple cranberry mix..I'm really just a bad cook so I think she feels bad for me;) ...I'm a really lazy vegan..so I have perfected the art of fiding vegan fare pretty much anywhere...I even ate at Steak and Shake once:O...so if u have any questions pm me I'd love to help in any way..I also have quite a few books if u need any suggestions...and I love finding food that's surprisingly vegan..like oreos;D
bored82
12-05-2008, 10:48 PM
Earth Balance is AMAZING. Make sure you don't buy Smart Balance on accident, it has almost the same exact packaging but tastes gross and not all of the Smart Balances are vegan.
Ruby Ruckus
12-06-2008, 02:08 PM
smart balance light is okay, and not too bad tasting. but earth balance is the bomb!
KylieS2
04-15-2009, 07:26 AM
I've been a vegan for almost a year and a vegetarian for almost a year and a half. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's easy to get plenty of protein, iron, calcium and other nutrients in a vegan diet if you make sure to eat a wide variety of foods. Whenever someone says that they can't go vegan because they won't get enough nutrients has not done enough research on the subject. A properly balanced vegan diet is extremely healthy and has everything one needs to maintain life.
Yes, meat contains protein, iron and amino acids. But it also contains a ton of saturated fat, hormones, and antibiotics that are horrible for your body. Not to mention it's a cruel diet. If you haven't already, I would recommend doing a ton of research on how animals are treated on factory farms... the abuses and cruelty they go through daily. It will help you realize just how much of a compassionate and caring decision you are making by going vegan.
I was never a cook before becoming a vegan, and now I love cooking. There are tons of great recipes to try and a lot of them are easy.
Cheese is actually addicting... but once you give it up the cravings pretty much go away. That was one of the main reasons it took me a little while to go from vegeterian to vegan.
There is also a great book called Living Among Meat Eaters by Carol Adams. It also has so yummy recipes in the back.
Some great meat/cheese substitutes you can try to make the transition easier:
Earth Balance
Eat Your Heart Out Vegan cheese
Soy or Rice milk
Tofutti "cream cheese"
MorningStar Fake Chicken and Burgers (some are not vegan though... so read ingredients)
Coconut Milk "Ice cream"
Cheese-less frozen pizza
Many of these items you can find in regular grocery stores and of course at natural food stores. Of course, your diet should be mostly natural foods... fruits, veggies, complex carbs, nuts, beans, etc. but having some comfort foods always helps :)
PM me if you want to talk more :)
glambman
04-15-2009, 08:54 AM
I'm sorry I can't be of any more help, but I'm a vegetarian too and I could never date someone that wasn't. The choice that people make about what they consume has everything to do with what kind of person they are, and I would never want to be with the kind of person that supports torture and suffering and not standing up for what they believe in. I know it's hard to find them though, there are half as many male vegetarians as female, but you can always convert.
*don't spend money on things like tofurkey, and fake vegan cheese, and veggie dogs all the time. they're expensive, and they're really processed, so even though they taste good, they're not super nutritive (although they are far better for you than the real thing! vegan cheese tastes like shit though, so i advise against wasting your time with it)
*make sure to vary your protein sources. soy is good for you, but there is such thing as too much of a good thing. you don't want to eat too much of it and develop an allergy or something. beans and rice, when eaten together, form a complete protein with amino acids and everything, so things like burritos, jambalayas, etc are great for you! also, don't forget about nuts and seeds.
*another reason it's important not to overdo the soy is because it's high in estrogen. this is beneficial to some people, if you're having difficulty putting on enough body fat or something, and makes me feel good, clears my skin some, helps regulate my period etc, but too much can be dangerous for some people.
If there is a danger in eating too much soy, doesn't that mean that it is bad for you? That is what you are saying regarding milk products. Or maybe we can go to that quote that says 'Everything in moderation'.
I wonder if you have any leather (I know, no, right?, or maybe faux leather? Buy anything of wood? Why? You are destroying the environment the animals live in that you claim you are trying to save/ help.
I am from the South, and I can whip up some awesome mashed pertayters. A stick of butter (that's 8 tablespoons), sour cream, milk (regular vitamin D, not that 2% crap). yummmmee
I can also whip up some yams. mmmmmmm mashed then ovened with marshmallows on top. I can also bar-b-que. Not just read meats 'n pork, but also fish.
Nina77
04-15-2009, 10:37 AM
Just wanted to share...
I had anemia in the past and had a hard time keeping my levels up with the iron pills the doc prescribed. Then I discovered Floradix Iron and Herb- great stuff! I went vegetarian a few months ago- a couple weeks ago I had a blood count done- perfect! So for the veggies (or anyone) that have anemia- try Floradix Iron and Herb- good stuff!
miabella
04-16-2009, 10:55 PM
i've been vegan since i was sixteen, and have always had excruciating periods when not on birth control. heavy, long, and so so so painful.
while the hormones in animal products aren't good for you, i don't think they affect you to the degree that your period is different.
much more likely to be related to vitamin absorption issues-- malabsorption can lead to many female-malady difficulties.
chitownchick
04-16-2009, 11:07 PM
i have been a vegetarian for almost 14 years and i was vegan onand off. I have cut dairy otu of my diet for health reasons and it has helped my skin immensely. I do eat eggs once in a while so im not a vegan persey but i am strict with my eating. My mom has always been strict with her eating and in the past couple years she has had issues with anxiety and energy levels gonig up and down, keeping muscle all that stuff. she went to this dr who changed her eating alot (she has always been healthy as hell in terms of eating) this dr has her eating this "smoothie" in the morning. Its filling and has a ton of proteins and vitamins in it. It is a little expensive to buy the ingradients but well worth it. I will list what all goes in ti. since i have beeen eating this is the morning my hunger levels are controlled and my skin has cleared up 100%.
1 - 2 cups rice milk or water (you can use milk but i dont because i am avoiding dairy, and milk isnt recommended with this)
1 cup mixed frozen berries
1 frozen banana
3-4 whole frozen strawberries
supplements:
hemp seed - 1 tablespoon or hemp protein powder (follow instructions)
flax seed (2 tablespoons)
spirulina pills (2)
udos oil 5,6,9 (2 tablespoons)
i add a little honey, you can use splenda becuase it isnt very sweet and i like things sweet, it depends on how you like things to taste
instead of hemp protein you can use whey flavored powder too it just doesnt have as many benefits
then you blend it all together and eat
i swear by this concoction
Kylea2
04-16-2009, 11:39 PM
spirulina pills (2)
udos oil 5,6,9 (2 tablespoons)
i add a little honey, you can use splenda becuase it isnt very sweet and i like things sweet, it depends on how you like things to taste
instead of hemp protein you can use whey flavored powder too it just doesnt have as many benefits
then you blend it all together and eat
i swear by this concoction
LOL... No kidding. The spirulina itself is enough to "clear you out". A small amount of that can make a person feel like they are "passing" Tabasco sauce!
Christyismyalias
04-17-2009, 01:17 AM
I'm sorry I can't be of any more help, but I'm a vegetarian too and I could never date someone that wasn't. The choice that people make about what they consume has everything to do with what kind of person they are, and I would never want to be with the kind of person that supports torture and suffering and not standing up for what they believe in. I know it's hard to find them though, there are half as many male vegetarians as female, but you can always convert.
Not trying to be a bitch, but I wanted to point something out. You said you could never date someone that wasn't vegetarian b/c they support torture, but you are a vegetarian, not a vegan. So, you yourself still support torture, just in a less obvious way. Vegetarians still have milk, sometimes eggs, or other dairy and/or other animal products. This is still supporting the caging and mistreatment of the same animals killed for items non-vegetarians eat, such as chicken breasts and hamburgers. My point is, don't be so close minded when your own diet is not completely cruelty free.
Personally, I am a vegetarian, not a vegan. I am one who tries to be vegan but is not 100% there, I am NOT perfect! The main thing is I would never judge or condemn a person for their choices b/c no one is perfect and everyone makes their own decisions! But we should always respect each other all the same and be open to meeting people even if they don't think the same as we do..
As far as to responding to the question originally asked. I love and recommend Amy's brand b/c they have many Vegan options and they are quick and easy. Yes, they are frozen so they are not the healthiest way to go. Obviously fruits and veggies, tempeh, tofu and those types are your main "go to" choices. All natural and fresh is best! :) But for in a hurry or when lazy, the frozens are nice to have around.
There are also tons of fake meat brands but sometimes they contain milk and you have to check for the "vegan" label.
Here is the link for Amy's, you can usually find these at Publix or Kroger, or any health food store (like Whole Foods<--overpriced- but other similar stores will have options as well). http://www.amys.com/ They are my favorites :)
Luckily, these special diets are more mainstream so you will be fine in finding foods to accomodate your choice. And congratulations! It is a great step to a healthier you and you're helping the animals from pain!
miabella
04-17-2009, 02:29 AM
vegan diets are not healthier for everyone. they can be for individuals, but they are not universally the healthiest option, because that does not exist. some people do better with only plantlife; others do better with some plantlife and animal products, but no flesh, and still others do better with some animal flesh.
no one diet is healthiest for all, ever. we all need to follow the needs of our individual, wonderful bodies.
glambman
04-17-2009, 12:20 PM
vegan diets are not healthier for everyone. they can be for individuals, but they are not universally the healthiest option, because that does not exist. some people do better with only plantlife; others do better with some plantlife and animal products, but no flesh, and still others do better with some animal flesh.
no one diet is healthiest for all, ever. we all need to follow the needs of our individual, wonderful bodies.
I like your way of thinking. If one believes in the Judaic/ Christian view, we were created to be vegetarians. It wasn't until the Noahic Laws when meat was allowed to be eaten. I looked into dietary intake over the world and I think we Americans have to much meat in our diet. Just like too much soy, too much meat is not good. Everything in moderation.
lydiastardust
04-17-2009, 12:49 PM
Skinny Bitch was what converted me to the vegan side too, lol. I've been a vegan for a little over a year now, and vegetarian for 8 years prior....
As far as relationships, I haven't had any issues because I don't let diet influence really anything. What I eat is what I eat, and what you eat is what you eat. I think people are a lot more open to things like veganism when we can show open-mindedness towards them. More important than whether or not someone is vegan, is just whether they are willing to eat the food I cook. I don't think I could be with someone who wouldn't let me cook us dinner.
I second the Earth Balance suggestion. It's amazing, and I know people who use it who are not vegan.
And you *must* obtain Veganomicon. I say must because it really is what made the whole transition a million times easier. It's like having a vegan friend encourage you while helping you make delicious food. Isa's other books are good too...I read them all like trashy romance novels, lol.
One thing I would like to say is just make sure you don't eat too much soy. It's really quite easy to get bombarded by soy products, especially when first starting out (tofu, soy milk, EB (earth balance) soy ice cream, soy yogurt, tempeh, etc...) and that much soy is not very good for you. It can be very healthy of course, as long as you figure out what amount works best with your body. Personally, I had to stop eating tofu because it was overboard. But we are all different, of course.
And I definitely did notice a change in menstrual cycles. A year ago I had the worst periods ever - lasting a solid week, heavy bleeding from start to finish, and terrible cramps the entire time. Nowadays my periods are about 4 days, and even when they are heavy (for the first day or so) I hardly ever get cramps, and when I do get cramps they only last for a couple of hours on one evening and are much more manageable. I have no idea if it's related to veganism, but the timelines match up.
And if you fall off the bandwagon, just get back on. Veganism isn't about 100% perfection, rather it is the sincere effort to do your best.
MsClaireVoyant
04-19-2009, 11:45 PM
vegan diets are not healthier for everyone. they can be for individuals, but they are not universally the healthiest option, because that does not exist.
Thanks for saying that. Since my original post in this thread, I stopped being vegetarian. I felt an intuition that my body needed meat and I tried ignoring it for awhile, but it grew stronger. I kept feeling that way, as well as craving meat. My health wasn't doing too well either, although I had gone gluten free because of my celiac disease for some time, I wasn't gaining any healthy weight back and was still feeling very malnourished.
So I gave in and began eating meat and WOW! What an improvement. Skin is healing, digestion improved a lot, I gained about 10 pounds of healthy weight (I have a lot more "curve" now in a good way and I actually build muscle decent when I work out), plus more energy.
I'm still working on my health but meat has just improved everything so so much. Then later on I read in my celiac support group that a lot of celiacs who were vegetarian pre-diagnosis began craving meat after they go gluten free and begin to heal. It's something about malabsorption and needing certain nutrients to heal up the intestines.
I'm glad I went back to meat eating. I care about animals and still support organic/free range farming whenever I can, but I don't feel any guilt for eating meat now. If I pass away due to bad health, then there won't be a "me" to care at all.. that's the way I look at it. I strongly disagree with vegetarians who think meat is unhealthy in general.. strongly. I definitely think it's good to be vegetarian but I also think that a lot of us are genetically built to NEED meat..
Health comes first.