How can i start a vegan lifestyle. what does one eat?!
How can i start a vegan lifestyle. what does one eat?
I only eat chicken and fish, and i have found that it is very hard to let go. I hardly ever eat pork or beef so those are not the issue. but i would like to start living a healthier lifestyle. I dont knwo what brands of foods i should buy or where i should start.
Answers:
just so you know, i'd like to point out that vegetarians and vegans are different (maybe you knew that already, but just to make sure..)
a vegetarian eats no fish, poultry, red meat or gelatin.
a vegan eats none of the above including milk, eggs or anything derived from milk or eggs (examples: casine, whey, animal rennet)
vegans do eat :lentils, beans, whole grains, rice, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds and soy.
when you go to the grocery store, make sure you check labels ( animal ingredients tend to pop up every where.) just by not having non veggie food in the house makes it a thousand times easier to live a vegan lifestyle. :) and there are alternatives to milk and eggs and meat. there are of course meat substitutes (some better than others), there are egg substitutes and for milk there are either : rice, soy or almond milks you can choose from (i love almond breeze. the chocolate taste just like regular chocolate milk!) there is even vegan 'buttery sticks' (which are made of vegetable oils rather than margarine. .. i am actually not sure what margarine is made of but i know its not good for you!)
a brand i like a lot is amy's. there are frozen meals and soups offered by them. the only thing that i suggest NOT buying from them is any vegan soup that have noodles in them. they are reallly gross!
i would say just give up chicken and fish but i know that may not work! so how bout we just say slowly cut them out of your diet? each week limit it to less and less until maybe your only having fish or chicken once a week. then just stop. or you could continue to eat those things, having vegan tendencies, just know that as long as you do, your not a veg head! :) (many people don't think of chicken or fish as meat. grr)
any change you do to your lifestyle is beneficial both to your health and (not sure if you care about this part or not) to the animals and environment. even if you never fully reach veganism or vegetarianism, i hope you receive some of the benefits that you can get from eating healthier! if you need any help at all, just e mail me. i'd be more than happy to help you with anything :)