Need advice about how to go vegan

[StopFactoryFarms]

Because I am aware of animal cruelty in factory farms I wanted to ask some questions about how to succeed at going vegan.

The main question I have is how do I give up my mom's really good cooking since I live with my parents and find alternative food that would not take significant additional time for me to make since I am quite busy. I could still accept the fruit and vegetables from my mom, but would need alternative protein source. Maybe nuts, protein bars or non dairy protein shakes (if that exists). Do you have any input?

How do you respond to objections that giving up meat is unhealthy because plant based proteins can't adequately replace animal proteins? I have been informed that the lack of protein could be bad for brain health. Do you have any info that would prove that going vegan can be healthy?

I still might be okay with humanely raised organic products. However the question could be raised if buying cage free or humane products would result in more demand for humane products causing an increase in price, which could lead other people to buy more lower priced conventionally raised factory farm products. Or would the opposite be true and if more people bought organic humanely raised products, that the price of those products would go down allowing more and more people to buy humane products? This will help determine whether I want to go full vegan, or still be okay with humanely raised products. The documentary food incorporated exposes factory farms and recommends organic products. I realize that I am technically not vegan if I still eat humanely raised cage free organic products, but I can still say I "go vegan" whenever I eat vegan to avoid conventionally raised factory farm products.

Is there any more recent documentaries or videos made exposing animal cruelty in the food industry than Food Incorporated? Or websites I could share with people? I don't prefer info from PETA though. Also is there information out there that cows in the dairy industry are treated inhumanely? I am familiar with the fact that chickens and cows in factory farms are treated cruelly, but what about cows in the dairy industry?

How can you put up with the difficulty of going to restaurants where you can't eat anything from the menu but have to order a la carte fruit or salad items, and tell the server to put no cheese on anything? I have seen that some restaurant workers could disrespect you or look down on you for your commitment. It seems like it could be difficult to enjoy yourself at a restaurant having to eat vegan with how limited your choices could be.

Also I'm going on a retreat with a group to a retreat center/campground where meals will be served and I may want to relax my restrictions so I can not be a burden to the server and enjoy the trip more. However I think maybe I should still stick with the vegan identity.

 

[silva]

Diet for a New America--John Robbins

Amazon.com

The Face on Your Plate
eating animals by jonathan safran foer
How Not to Die, Dr Michael Greger

NutritionFacts.org | The Latest in Nutrition Related Research

The latest in nutrition related research delivered in easy to understand video segments brought to you by Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

nutritionfacts.org

Becoming Vegan, Brenda Davis RD

https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org/care-near-you/southern-california/center-for-healthy-living/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2020/03/plant_based_diet_e.pdf

Eating a plant-based diet at any age may lower cardiovascular risk

Whether you do so in young adulthood or later in life, eating a plant-based diet can help lower your risk of heart disease, new research shows.

www.heart.org

I could go on and on and on...
This book really explains just how badly we've been exploited to eat what we eat:

Amazon.com

Nothing to do with whats good for us, or what we might be "meant" to eat--it's what makes money

 

[silva]

Hey, I'm in Ohio! Cleveland area

 

[StopFactoryFarms]

Thanks

 

[silva]

To me, the biggest reason to be vegan/plant based, is simply that it's the best for our own health, the environment, and the animals
The only downside is the transition can be hard
Cows have been bred to be the slaves of the dairy farmers. A natural cow, which still may exist somewhere in Isreal I believe, only produces enough milk for her babies, she doesn't need to be "milked".
Going dairy free is the hardest for many. I totally lost my taste for Mexican food without cheese. Mid eastern, Mediterrean restaurants are good choices.
I know many people whose doctors have suggested they go off dairy and they swear by the changes. Arthritis relief, heart health, cholesterol improvement--dairy is very inflammatory. It isn't the bone builder it's advertised to be! Eat your greens and beans for that!

 

[Lou]

Because I am aware of animal cruelty in factory farms I wanted to ask some questions about how to succeed at going vegan.

Yay. my favorite subject.
first off welcome to the forum.
and congrats on taking your first step on the Vegan Journey.

The main question I have is how do I give up my mom's really good cooking since I live with my parents and find alternative food that would not take significant additional time for me to make since I am quite busy.

Depending on your mom the easy answer it to get her to be vegan too. Now for various reasons that may not be possible or maybe not possible right away but I think maybe you need to start the discussion. Do you live with anyone else besides your mom?

Give us some more info and maybe we can chart a path. Depending on your mom there could be many approaches. Bribery, guilt, education...

I could still accept the fruit and vegetables from my mom, but would need alternative protein source. Maybe nuts, protein bars or non dairy protein shakes (if that exists). Do you have any input?

We have been taught that protein is like this really important nutrient. Now, I'm not saying its not important but it is Not a roadblock on your vegan journey. Most Americans are sort of brainwashed into thinking we need way more than we need and that only animal products have protein.

as you get Vegucated you will come to realize that its not really such an important issue. Coming here is a great place to start. You should explore the site some. I'm a big proponent of public libraries and your library probably has a whole shelf of vegan nutrition books. You can probably start there. I'm reading the Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition right now, but there are plenty of other good ones to get.

Don't rely too much on nuts. the recommendation is just a handful a day (or 2 tbsp of peanut butter). There are lots of vegan protein bars. Cliff are vegan, available everywhere, and not too expensive. Some store bought shakes are vegan. you can check at your grocery store.

How do you respond to objections that giving up meat is unhealthy because plant based proteins can't adequately replace animal proteins?

This is my favorite short essay on that subject.

Protein for Vegetarians (& the myth of incomplete proteins)

I have been informed that the lack of protein could be bad for brain health. Do you have any info that would prove that going vegan can be healthy?

I haven't seen That one before. But there is plenty of studies that have shown that vegetarian diets and vegan diets are not only not un-healthy but are healthy. If you like Documentaries you should watch Forks Over Knives and/or What the Health. I think What the Heath is still on Netflix. Watch it some of these documentaries with your mom.

I still might be okay with humanely raised organic products.

Don't worry about that. Humanely raised is an oxymoron. Its simply some kind of marketing ploy. I could point you to like a hundred articles about it. I like this one because its short.

Why “Ethical Meat” is an Oxymoron

Many people are persuaded about the horrors of factory farming, but continue to eat meat on the basis that they buy ethical meat. Whether it be free-range, grass-fed, antibiotic-free …

thereasonedvegan.com

Is there any more recent documentaries or videos made exposing animal cruelty in the food industry than Food Incorporated?

Oh my god yes!
Food inc is great but its not really about veganism and its what, 10 years old?

Cowspiracy (also on Netflix) really does not focus on animal cruelty. it would be great to watch (maybe with mom) unlike Forks Over Knives, which sometimes is sort of dry, this one is interesting.

This is a good list.
but... I would skip Earthlings. I found it to be un-watchable. and I tried.

7 vegan documentaries everyone who eats food should watch

Press play.

www.wellandgood.com

Here is a bit longer a list

The Producers Of Cowspiracy Have Dropped A New Doco Exposing Fashion’s Greenwashing Secrets

It's time you watched Seaspiracy.

www.theurbanlist.com

Or websites I could share with people? I don't prefer info from PETA though.

yes of course. Actually almost all the films above have good websites.
also I bet you don't have a valid reason on avoiding PETA. they get a lot of bad press but mostly its attacks from Big Food. Their websites have some of the very best information.

I can honestly say that I would not be vegan if it wasn't for PETA. oh full disclosure: I do volunteer work for them

Also is there information out there that cows in the dairy industry are treated inhumanely?

Oh my god yes. Hey these are all softballs.
For cows I'm going with the video "Dairy is Scary" I'll post the link at the bottom.
Oh, and as long as you are checking out Erin Janus she also has videos on chickens and eggs. Check them out. and maybe her Humane Slaughter Debunked too.

I am familiar with the fact that chickens and cows in factory farms are treated cruelly, but what about cows in the dairy industry?

It can be argued that the dairy industry is the cruelest. The movies and videos I have already recommended do a great job there.

How can you put up with the difficulty of going to restaurants where you can't eat anything from the menu but have to order a la carte fruit or salad items, and tell the server to put no cheese on anything? I have seen that some restaurant workers could disrespect you or look down on you for your commitment. It seems like it could be difficult to enjoy yourself at a restaurant having to eat vegan with how limited your choices could be.

I hear this problem a lot. and I don't have that problem at all. Of course as someone here once pointed out to me that it probably is because I live in California. (and not in Ohio)

First off you might need to check out the menu online or make a phone call before you go. And some types of restaurants are just better choices. I love Asian food and where I live there is like 6 Asian restaurants within a two mile radius. Asian restaurants almost always have a vegetarian section of the menu. And they never invented cheese so there is nothing to leave out. Bonus: they invented tofu.

Mexican restaurants are also pretty easy. Just order the vegetarian burrito and have them leave off the cheese and sour cream.

My last choice is a sandwich place. You can order a ham and cheese and have them hold the ham and cheese. but they still charge you the full price.

I have never had a restaurant worker disrespect me. (maybe another Cali thing?) but why would they. Best case scenario I would just leave. Worst case is I would report them. Personal anecdote: For a birthday party my sisters and I went to a fancy restaurant. I check out the menu before going and spotted a vegan dish I really wanted. we went there for lunch and I had inadvertent checked out the dinner menu. My dish wasn't on the lunch menu. When I expressed my disappointment to my sisters, the waiter overheard and came over and said that he would ask the chef but he expected I could order that off the dinner menu.

Another time I went to a greek pizza place and there actually wasn't anything vegan on the menu. I just asked the waiter for a bowl of spaghetti and olive oil. it was pretty good!

When I go out for pizza I get the vegetarian special without cheese.

There are also some good articles and videos on this subject. let me know and I can look them up for you.

I'm going on a retreat with a group to a retreat center/campground where meals will be served and I may want to relax my restrictions so I can not be a burden to the server and enjoy the trip more. However I think maybe I should still stick with the vegan identity.

That is up to you. but you might bring it up before you go. maybe they will be happy to make accommodations. There may even be other vegans there. At least 1 out of ten people are vegan or vegetarian nowadays.

another personal anecdote. I did one of those for a week with like 200 people. I told them in advance that I was vegan and my food was specially prepared for me. by the end of the week all the people at my table were asking if they could become vegan.

 

[Emma JC]

welcome to the forum!

lots and lots of great information above! all the best with your decisions

Emma JC
Find your vegan soulmate or just a friend. www.spiritualmatchmaking.com

 

[VeganRachel]

Hi. #1, being different takes courage and determination. You go against the current and swim upstream. #2 mainstream
society like conformists. They will often discourage you from being different and want you to eat the way they do. They
will tell you everything bad about the other choice, even though billions of omnivores around the world are sick.
#3, do your homework. Watch, read, and listen to vegan doctors and long-term vegans. We have made mistakes and learned.
Take B12 and make sure to eat/supplement enough Zinc and D3 if necessary. #4, learn how to cook a few simple meals like
veggie burgers, beans, chili, smoothies, salads, granola and more. A crock-pot helps to cook your meals very simply. Just
soak your beans for 12+ hours, rinse, before cooking them. Almond-butter, and hummus, sandwitches are delicious. Make sure
to eat a large green salad or two everyday. #4, try to meet other vegans and spend time with them. Just my two cents.

 

[StopFactoryFarms]

Okay, thanks Rachel. I have been struggling recently with my commitment to avoiding cruelty based products recently because I have found that eating a lot of nuts has been leading to smelly gas. I have been told that soaking nuts or beans could help but I don't know about this. Trailmix can lead to more gas I think partly because of the candy mixed in, and I suppose cutting back on sweets can help this issue some. What foods could I add into my diet to help resolve this issue? I have been trying popcorn and bran flakes but not sure that is a solution. I have been in correspondence with someone at ChristianVeg.org recently but am struggling with my commitment.

I appreciate openness to be able to discuss on here since in the past I was banned from a similar discussion forum for issues involving not really being vegetarian. The documentary Food Incorporated exposes Factory Farms but doesn't really promote completely being vegan in that it shares that animals that are free range or organic are treated better.

One of my friends who has been a physical trainer has told me that being vegan can lead to bone density loss or hair loss over time because of not getting enough calcium or protein and that this relates in some way to how the body absorbs nutrients. Will calcium and B12 in pills be enough for the body to absorb?

 

[rogerjolly]

.........in that it shares that animals that are free range or organic are treated better.

Animals having good lives is a very common argument used by apologists.

I live in a very rural area. I have never over pushed my veganism but of course everybody knows just about everything about everybody else.

Without prompting, a farmer in my local pub once said to me that his animals were treated very well indeed. My response was, “Yes, Hugh. I’m sure they are. And then you send them off to slaughter.”

That brought the conversation to a somewhat abrupt closure.

Roger.

 

[silva]

Okay, thanks Rachel. I have been struggling recently with my commitment to avoiding cruelty based products recently because I have found that eating a lot of nuts has been leading to smelly gas. I have been told that soaking nuts or beans could help but I don't know about this. Trailmix can lead to more gas I think partly because of the candy mixed in, and I suppose cutting back on sweets can help this issue some. What foods could I add into my diet to help resolve this issue? I have been trying popcorn and bran flakes but not sure that is a solution. I have been in correspondence with someone at ChristianVeg.org recently but am struggling with my commitment.

I appreciate openness to be able to discuss on here since in the past I was banned from a similar discussion forum for issues involving not really being vegetarian. The documentary Food Incorporated exposes Factory Farms but doesn't really promote completely being vegan in that it shares that animals that are free range or organic are treated better.

One of my friends who has been a physical trainer has told me that being vegan can lead to bone density loss or hair loss over time because of not getting enough calcium or protein and that this relates in some way to how the body absorbs nutrients. Will calcium and B12 in pills be enough for the body to absorb?

Maybe leave nuts alone for a while. How much of a transition is this for you?
Being vegan doesn't say what you eat, only what you don't eat, so it's as much a range as eating animal stuffs,
The whole calcium from dairy has really been well debunked, although so popular it's hard to convince people otherwise. Animal products have too much animal formulated protein and not only leeches calcium from bones, but hard on the kidneys. Dark greens, legumes,beans, seeds and nuts are far better choices for calcium

The sites I've listed about address scientifically address the nutrition issues. No need to argue with others about your choices
B12 is not a vitamin anyway, animals are fed b12

 

[VeganRachel]

Okay, thanks Rachel. I have been struggling recently with my commitment to avoiding cruelty based products recently because I have found that eating a lot of nuts has been leading to smelly gas. I have been told that soaking nuts or beans could help but I don't know about this. Trailmix can lead to more gas I think partly because of the candy mixed in, and I suppose cutting back on sweets can help this issue some. What foods could I add into my diet to help resolve this issue? I have been trying popcorn and bran flakes but not sure that is a solution. I have been in correspondence with someone at ChristianVeg.org recently but am struggling with my commitment.

I appreciate openness to be able to discuss on here since in the past I was banned from a similar discussion forum for issues involving not really being vegetarian. The documentary Food Incorporated exposes Factory Farms but doesn't really promote completely being vegan in that it shares that animals that are free range or organic are treated better.

One of my friends who has been a physical trainer has told me that being vegan can lead to bone density loss or hair loss over time because of not getting enough calcium or protein and that this relates in some way to how the body absorbs nutrients. Will calcium and B12 in pills be enough for the body to absorb?

Ha, doctors believe calcium comes from dairy products. But dairy has excess proteins and hormones. Many omnivores believe they know what
problems vegans have, but do they or are they guessing!. Most omnivores are deficient in several nutrients, but they believe eating animals solves all their problems. Vegans do tend to be deficient in B12, D3, Zinc and maybe some others like magnesium and iodine. Eat green leafy vegetables and salads, but do not worry about calcium when you eat a vegan diet. Calcium loss occurs when humans consume tons of animal protein.
May I suggest eating leafy greens (kale, romaine lettuce, salads) as part of your daily routine?. Our human body needs raw enzymes and leafy
greens help our digestive system at mealtime. Many vegans eat a lot of processed foods. Try to maximize whole plant foods vegetables and fruits instead. I am a great believe in green smoothies made in a quality blender like a blendtec or vitamix. You add fruit, greens, vegan protein powder, and a liquid. You can also use a vegan digestive product, I like the Veganzyme one that globalhealingcenter.com makes, and their other products are also great. www.Nutritionfacts.org has terrific video's on many health subjects if interested.
Yes, some humans turn to "humanely raised' animals thinking the animals are happier before they are killed at an early age. Well, factory farms are horrible, but smaller farms still use and slaughter them against their wills. Its' all an excuse to keep eating animals. Peace.

 

[silva]

I've been thinking about the massive amounts of foods I've been eating lately- and that they've all been vegan
I remember when first going vegan it seemed so daunting, every shopping trip, meal prep,thought went into keeping vegan,
Honestly what hindered me so much was direct suggestions from vegans themselves. So much food combinations sounded dreadful-and that hasn't changed! While I was ok with hummus all my life, it seemed to be top of the food chain from vegan suggestions! so much icky stuff they'd put with it!
It wasn't until I realized vegan foods were just foods. There weren't rules besides the basic nutrition everyone should understand. It wasn't all that special, just different.
You don't need to like chickpeas (which I hate now), avocado, cilantro, raw vegetables, not even kale although I strongly advise a sub or really try and eat it! Tofu has like a millions ways to use it. Beans of course are pretty non negotiable IMO, but then again, maybe you can find alternatives to them too
It actually helped me a whole lot to talk to omnis about it, strangely enough they had many suggestions (they didn't follow) that really did help my transition

 

[Emma JC]

I've been thinking about the massive amounts of foods I've been eating lately- and that they've all been vegan
I remember when first going vegan it seemed so daunting, every shopping trip, meal prep,thought went into keeping vegan,
Honestly what hindered me so much was direct suggestions from vegans themselves. So much food combinations sounded dreadful-and that hasn't changed! While I was ok with hummus all my life, it seemed to be top of the food chain from vegan suggestions! so much icky stuff they'd put with it!
It wasn't until I realized vegan foods were just foods. There weren't rules besides the basic nutrition everyone should understand. It wasn't all that special, just different.
You don't need to like chickpeas (which I hate now), avocado, cilantro, raw vegetables, not even kale although I strongly advise a sub or really try and eat it! Tofu has like a millions ways to use it. Beans of course are pretty non negotiable IMO, but then again, maybe you can find alternatives to them too
It actually helped me a whole lot to talk to omnis about it, strangely enough they had many suggestions (they didn't follow) that really did help my transition

the KISS factor is so important, I believe, in order not to turn away or get turned off.... if I had to do it from the start again I would likely just start with a potato 10 day or two week diet and then gradually add in other foods

just eat lots of tasty whole foods and spice them how you liked your previous foods

Emma JC
Find your vegan soulmate or just a friend. www.spiritualmatchmaking.com

 

[StartVegan]

Hello, maybe this one can help you:
0 % gluten, soy, dairy, sugar, cholesterol or chemicals
100 % flavor, vitamins, minerals, micro-nutrients & tastiness!

Book: Raw Food Self Made | ROHTOPIA | Ganzheitliches Wohlfühlen

bit.ly

 

[Emma JC]

Hello, maybe this one can help you:
0 % gluten, soy, dairy, sugar, cholesterol or chemicals
100 % flavor, vitamins, minerals, micro-nutrients & tastiness!

Book: Raw Food Self Made | ROHTOPIA | Ganzheitliches Wohlfühlen

bit.ly

welcome to the forum @StartVegan

I am going to disagree with your suggestion as it is very easy for a person transitioning from a SAD diet to vegan that they don't eat enough calories and that they struggle with all the changes and so trying to go 'raw' just makes that transition even more challenging.

I tried myself a few times and it was finally hearing Dr McDougall on Coast to Coast that helped me to realize that I could still eat all my favourite foods (pasta, rice, bread, noodles) and add great veggies and beans and legumes etc to those meals and I haven't looked back since.

If I had to eat raw (in a cooler climate) I would be broke$$ and broken as it just wouldn't satisfy me and I doubt that I would still be vegan. (5 years now)

Emma JC
Find your vegan soulmate or just a friend. www.spiritualmatchmaking.com

 

[Lou]

I agree with Emma. Going Raw is not a good strategy for transitioning.
There are pros and cons to going raw and even if the pros outweighed the cons the argument for going raw is still weak.
There IS the school of Raw Till Four (RT4) that is probably a good compromise. but seriously I don't see how making it a Thing is especially helpful.