Why am I having trouble sticking to a vegan diet?!
I've been a vegetarian for 14 years and have never felt any desire to eat meat or meat products!. I don't eat processed foods and I rarely eat out!. I was eating organic and raw youghurt & milk and eating certified free range eggs!. I decided to become a vegan 6 months ago because I didn't want to be responsible for the deaths of cows, calves & chickens!. I ignorantly thought eating organic dairy and eggs meant that cows & chickens weren't being killed!.The more I read about veganism, the more adverse I was to eating dairy and eggs!. The problem I'm having is that I am craving milk and eggs (especially eggs) even though I didn't ever particularly like the tast of them!. I'm taking b12 supplements and now Zinc but I still get the cravings!. Is there something else I could be missing in my diet!? I eat a lot of protein, iron rich vegetarian foods and nuts & seeds so why do I keep getting these cravings!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
Interesting answers :-| !. o O (I especially love when people turn to the bible for every argument they have, and they pick out only what suits them to support even things like slavery!. There was a talking snake in that book too!. That book's not even my religion) Some people will eat anything, don't care, and will not question it because everyone else is doing it!. That's why there are cultures where people eat insects, or dogs and cats, and don't think anything of it!. Where here, most people I think would think it wrong to eat a cat or dog!. Why not!? You're eating other animals!.
There are no eggs without death unless you happen to see a chicken in your yard, follow her to where she lays an egg, and you pick it up, But then, you may have a an egg that's been fertilized by sperm and you've just taken a mom's baby away from her!. For chickens with access to male chickens, if they've done the deed ;) , eggs are fertilized inside the female chicken before they ever turn into the eggs you see!. If you want to turn yourself off to eggs, think about what they really are and do some reading on them!.
I suppose there are "less cruel" eggs!. The problem with the better-than-usual free-range farm where the farmer takes care of chickens (not all free range farms are like that-- you have to seek them out for yourself), is that few people consider how they got there!. All the chickens at an egg farm are female-- hens!. Consider the process how they got there, and how the male chickens were eliminated!. And consider what happens to hens after their egg productivity drops!. Farmer Bob can't make enough money on a hen that's not producing!. It's not just about how they're treated while they're laying eggs!. Anyone who eats eggs who cares about the life of a chicken-- easily the most exploited land animal on the face of the earth-- should at least consider that before they decide!. You might even consider what's in their feed, and whether they're being fed fish oil to boost their Omega 3 fat!. In that case, you're also eating something from fish!. Not all hens have fish oil in their feed, but it's a possibility!.
If you eat eggs, then you have to accept that those things happen, make a personal decision whether that's something you can live with!. and make the best choices you can!.
I remember very well what eggs taste like, and they are tasty when you're used to eating them!. Maybe that's what you miss mostly!. The gas afterward was less than pleasant though!.
If you're craving eggs and not the milk, you might try increasing your intake of iron-rich foods, or if you're eating some as you've said, make sure you're getting enough vitamin C in your diet too, which may help with iron absorption!. You might try reading some nutritional info here http://veganhealth!.org/ which is info from a registered dietitian who is also the head of Vegan Outreach http://www!.veganoutreach!.org/!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
There are no eggs without death unless you happen to see a chicken in your yard, follow her to where she lays an egg, and you pick it up, But then, you may have a an egg that's been fertilized by sperm and you've just taken a mom's baby away from her!. For chickens with access to male chickens, if they've done the deed ;) , eggs are fertilized inside the female chicken before they ever turn into the eggs you see!. If you want to turn yourself off to eggs, think about what they really are and do some reading on them!.
I suppose there are "less cruel" eggs!. The problem with the better-than-usual free-range farm where the farmer takes care of chickens (not all free range farms are like that-- you have to seek them out for yourself), is that few people consider how they got there!. All the chickens at an egg farm are female-- hens!. Consider the process how they got there, and how the male chickens were eliminated!. And consider what happens to hens after their egg productivity drops!. Farmer Bob can't make enough money on a hen that's not producing!. It's not just about how they're treated while they're laying eggs!. Anyone who eats eggs who cares about the life of a chicken-- easily the most exploited land animal on the face of the earth-- should at least consider that before they decide!. You might even consider what's in their feed, and whether they're being fed fish oil to boost their Omega 3 fat!. In that case, you're also eating something from fish!. Not all hens have fish oil in their feed, but it's a possibility!.
If you eat eggs, then you have to accept that those things happen, make a personal decision whether that's something you can live with!. and make the best choices you can!.
I remember very well what eggs taste like, and they are tasty when you're used to eating them!. Maybe that's what you miss mostly!. The gas afterward was less than pleasant though!.
If you're craving eggs and not the milk, you might try increasing your intake of iron-rich foods, or if you're eating some as you've said, make sure you're getting enough vitamin C in your diet too, which may help with iron absorption!. You might try reading some nutritional info here http://veganhealth!.org/ which is info from a registered dietitian who is also the head of Vegan Outreach http://www!.veganoutreach!.org/!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Work through it, they will go away!. In a few months you won't look at dairy or eggs as food!.
More than likely it is your brain telling your body, not the other way around!. You know you can't have it, so you crave it!.
Make sure you are eating right but unless you have been trying veganism for a year or so, your body wouldn't be craving things it "needs" yet!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
More than likely it is your brain telling your body, not the other way around!. You know you can't have it, so you crave it!.
Make sure you are eating right but unless you have been trying veganism for a year or so, your body wouldn't be craving things it "needs" yet!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Just do as much as you can - taper off slowly rather than try for instant success!.
By being veggie you are sparing the world a lot of cruelty; by going a bit vegan you are sparing even more, so well done! 9/10 beats 6/10, or it did when I was at school!.
Don't beat yourself up - keep your ideals in mind and try to follow them to the best of your ability!. It's all anyone can do!.
Good luck!Www@FoodAQ@Com
By being veggie you are sparing the world a lot of cruelty; by going a bit vegan you are sparing even more, so well done! 9/10 beats 6/10, or it did when I was at school!.
Don't beat yourself up - keep your ideals in mind and try to follow them to the best of your ability!. It's all anyone can do!.
Good luck!Www@FoodAQ@Com
milk has casein which is a weak opiate!. a strong opiate is heroin!.
"Casein peptides react with opiate receptors in the brain, thus mimicking the effects of opiate drugs like heroin and morphine
greatplainslaboratory!.com!." Www@FoodAQ@Com
"Casein peptides react with opiate receptors in the brain, thus mimicking the effects of opiate drugs like heroin and morphine
greatplainslaboratory!.com!." Www@FoodAQ@Com
Perhaps you need more protein!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
To be honest, I had the same problem!. I was a vegetarian for 14 years as well and, like you, started questioning my intake of eggs and dairy given the ethical issues you raise!. So, for about a year, I gave up eggs and dairy, and I think I relied too heavily on soy products!. I started to have incredible cravings as well, and I finally caved: I now eat fish (with qualms) and free-range organic eggs and dairy, though I limit my consumption to about a serving a day!. You're right in that there are still ethical issues: Even in free-range farming, male calves and chickens are slaughtered, as are animals that can no longer produce!. But, I think as long as you're minimizing the amount of animal foods you are consuming, and sticking with free-range and organic products, ideally from local farmers (as I'm sure you know, many of the large-scale 'organic' farms such as Horizon are little better than factor farms), you're making a difference!. also, Cornucpia rates dairy producers according to their animal welfare standards: http://www!.cornucopia!.org/dairysurvey/in!.!.!.
So, I'm afraid I don't know what the answer is!. I do think dietary fat is important -- are you eating flax seeds and walnuts!? Avocados!?
Www@FoodAQ@Com
So, I'm afraid I don't know what the answer is!. I do think dietary fat is important -- are you eating flax seeds and walnuts!? Avocados!?
Www@FoodAQ@Com
I'm also a new vegan and I know it's awful but I'm really craving meat!. I have been a vegetarian for three years but I think vegan has a "finality sense" to it!. There just seems to be so much I have to avoid!. I know there's millions more foods that I can eat, but I've been craving a McDonald's cheese burger and the chicken drumsticks my mam makes!. I know I won't eat these, I think about it and I gag, I haven't eaten a cheese burger in around five years, it seems so alien!. I don't have a vegan alternative to these where I live, so I'm just going to wait these out!. They'll go away sooner or later!.
also, if you miss scrambled eggs you could try scrambled tofu!. I have heard it's a good replacement!. I haven't tried it as I never liked the texture!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
also, if you miss scrambled eggs you could try scrambled tofu!. I have heard it's a good replacement!. I haven't tried it as I never liked the texture!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I had the same problem!. I have been a vegetarian for quite sometime and have attempted to go all vegan, but found cravings to be too much at times!. To help, I bought 8 laying hens so I could enjoy fresh eggs from happy chickens and they are a lot of fun too! If you know of a local farm who you know has "happy" hens perhaps you could get eggs there!. This helps me through rough times!. I still crave milk and cheese on occasion though!. Cravings and binging are signs of deprivation!. You may need more fat in your diet or you may not be getting enough calories!. You may need more B vitamins, especially B12!. Or minerals, including sodium, or iron!. Maybe you eat too much sugar!? This is all speculation on my part!. I had my doctor run an iron test on my blood to see if perhaps my supplements weren't being absorbed effectively!. I hope this helps!. Good luck to you!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
If you're really craving eggs, it may be possible to have completely cruelty free ones depending on where you live!. If you happen to live near a farm where you know for a fact that chickens are being kept in good conditions and aren't being killed once they stop laying, then those eggs could be cruelty free!. Granted, it's an unlikely situation, probably you would only find such a thing if you knew a farmer who had a few chickens as family pets!. A more realistic solution for you would be to figure what aspect of the taste of eggs it is that you miss!. Maybe you can then achieve that with some other food!. If you like scrambled eggs, for example, I know it's possible to make a tasty tofu scramble!. And a tofu salad sandwich is very like an egg salad one (less smelly too)!. For that, just freeze tofu, thaw it, and drain really well!. Mix with a bit of vegan mayo, chopped onion, a dash of soy sauce, whatever you'd put in an egg salad sandwich!. I agree with another answer that often cravings aren't signs your body "needs" something, they're just desires for a taste or texture!. More often needs are manifested in physical symptoms, like weakness or dizziness!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
sometimes cravings are just simply wanting to eat certain foods, even if you are getting enough nutrients!.
it sounds like you're pretty well educated on what to eat and what vitamins you need, so i doubt you're missing anything from your diet, you could simply just miss the taste of eggs!.
I mean, I'm a vegetarian, and when I did eat meat I didn't like a lot of beef or pork products anyway, but sometimes I will crave those things for no reason!. The cravings usually subside soon enough
just hang in there, you have more will power than a lot of us doWww@FoodAQ@Com
it sounds like you're pretty well educated on what to eat and what vitamins you need, so i doubt you're missing anything from your diet, you could simply just miss the taste of eggs!.
I mean, I'm a vegetarian, and when I did eat meat I didn't like a lot of beef or pork products anyway, but sometimes I will crave those things for no reason!. The cravings usually subside soon enough
just hang in there, you have more will power than a lot of us doWww@FoodAQ@Com
Congrats on your journey into veganism!. It is a rewarding path to take in your life, as you are doing something to make this planet a better place (from environmental aspects -food that animals eat can feed more people than the animal can, and the waste that plagues the land/water - to the lessening of suffering for all the life on the planet)!.
On this path you will be tested!. Cravings are one of those things!. And it is not to be without failing once in awhile!. Like Matt said, there is opiates in casein (mostly in cheese and vegetarian food (please check the label of ingredients in your veggie foods) and it is hard to ignore the cravings!. I had them for about 2 years! And it wasn't that I was not getting enough protein or any other vitamins because I had blood tests done and I was fine (if in doubt, you can have a blood test drawn and find out if you do need some nutrient)!. Eggs, I am still drawn to them, but I do not NEED them to get all my nutrients as I have been vegan for 6 years now and am healthy !. !. !. so far (as we do not know what path may be put in place for us in the future)!. I do still crave things that are not vegan, but I find other things to take their place or I find something else that is just as yummy!Www@FoodAQ@Com
On this path you will be tested!. Cravings are one of those things!. And it is not to be without failing once in awhile!. Like Matt said, there is opiates in casein (mostly in cheese and vegetarian food (please check the label of ingredients in your veggie foods) and it is hard to ignore the cravings!. I had them for about 2 years! And it wasn't that I was not getting enough protein or any other vitamins because I had blood tests done and I was fine (if in doubt, you can have a blood test drawn and find out if you do need some nutrient)!. Eggs, I am still drawn to them, but I do not NEED them to get all my nutrients as I have been vegan for 6 years now and am healthy !. !. !. so far (as we do not know what path may be put in place for us in the future)!. I do still crave things that are not vegan, but I find other things to take their place or I find something else that is just as yummy!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I'm not trying to say being a vegetarian is bad but really at your age you should have meat! YOUR NOT responsible for death of animals!.!.!.did you kill them !.!.no! Tables Arern'treally a good idea either because when you table the vvitaminb tables their is aAlto more in them then just that!.!.I was thinking of becoming a vegetarian but ALL HUMANS need meat and I don't care what people are going to say on here about eating meat and how its bad for you !.!.!.meat is natural food source tables have some form of chemical in them! EAT MEAT ITS NOT A BAD THING! JESUS ATE MEAT!!!! Sorry one more thing you'r 14 you need that protien to live! one more thing!.!.just dont eat alot of red meats their not so good!Www@FoodAQ@Com