I want to try the vegan lifestyle?!

Vegetarians have to make sure they get enough B-12 (which isn't an issue if you take a multivitamin) and sometimes have to make sure their iron levels are sufficient as well. Vegans have to be aware of those issues as well and on top of that have to make sure they get enough calcium in their diet because they don't consume dairy products (which are most peoples' main source of calcium) but if you take care of those three things then you're probably all set when it comes to being vegan. (nutritionally speaking of course).

As far as protein goes, I wouldn't worry about not getting enough unless you lift weights and need a lot of protein in your diet. You never hear about protein deficiencies in developed countries like America and countries in Europe. Protein deficiency only exists in very poor countries like in Africa. However, just because you're gonna eat vegan doesn't mean you can eat whatever you want. You still have to eat healthy and if you're wanting to know how to get protein this is how. The protein is grains like wheat and rye and such is not complete. Neither is the protein in beans like black beans, lentils, split peas, etc. BUT if you combine those two foods together (you eat both those foods in your diet) then then balance out what the other one lacks and you get a complete protein. So you don't have to eat meat. But if you don't like beans or something and wanna get complete protein another way, there are a few other ways. The grain Quinoa has complete protein in it, and the Soy Bean has complete protein in it as well. And anything made from soybeans like tofu, tempeh, soymilk etc., has complete protein as well because it's made from soybeans. So grains and beans, or soybeans or a soybean product or Quinoa, those are your non-animal sources of complete protein. Make sure you eat lots of green leafy vegetables like spinach for calcium and you should probably drink lots of soy milk which has calcium added to it. Also, taking a calcium supplement is a good idea, even if you aren't a vegan, especially if you're female. So be informed and have fun being vegan, I'm vegetarian so I know it feels great to be able to live a lifestyle which is non-harmful to animals :)

Here is a very informative site about the vegan lifestyle that can help you..
http://www.vegan-nutritionista.com/

if you're vegan, you have to give up the fish oil. No animal products whatsoever

14 years old is PERFECT TIME TO START BEING VEGAN... oh my ******* god... I have been obese since Elementary School and I'm 19 years old.

You absolutely don't need to worry about vitamin supplements, unless the cost in personal health winds up outweighing the cost in money. I'm not sure which is more expensive; vitamins or actual fruits and vegetables.

THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED:

- NO saturated fat, NO trans fat, NO cholesterol, LESS sugar, LESS sodium, LESS carbohydrate, MORE fiber, MORE protein, MORE unsaturated fat
- NO DAIRY OR MEAT FROM ANIMALS!! If you enjoy poison, keep consuming it then!
- Vitamin B12 from fortified soy milk and cereal
- Vitamin D from " " and sunshine
- A complete comprehensive source of vitamins from plants and vegetables, especially BEANS, NUTS, LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLES, SEEDS, WHOLE WHEAT GRAINS.

You will find that replacing animal products with plant products can be very cost effective, even if it's not what would you rather pay more with? Your days of healthy life or your financial credit?

http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/nutritio…

That website is why I am 100% vegan and I hope to weigh 200 lbs next year instead of my current 245.

Excuse me for intruding, I am neither a vegetarian nor a vegan. But I'm not sure you know what you want to be either. You mentioned that you want to try becoming a vegan "But I've decided I want to try eating that way." Other vegans help me out here, but isn't that lifestyle way beyond eating?

I'm old and I am sure I don't understand all the rules, but I believe being a true "vegan" means not using any animal products at all...no leather shoes/belts/car seats, no shampoos, skin lotions, medications, etc that have animal by-products in them, no milk, butter, cheese, because they all come from animals. Do you swat mosquitoes?

I'm not trying to change anything you are thinking here, but it disturbs me a little to hear you say "I want to try the vegan lifestyle" when it's not clear that you understand exactly what that means.

Just let me go back to bed.

Veganism is not a diet. It is a lifestyle. No pets allowed. Animals are not ours to use in any way. No books with animal glues in the binding. No cars with leather seats. Actually no cars at all because the tires contain byproducts of animal slaughter and you don't want to financially support animal slaughter, do you?