Vegans... help??!
Vegans... help??
I've decided i want to try going vegan for the health benefits, and to stop myself from eating junk, and hopefully shed a couple pounds. I'm just wondering what the guidelines are exactly. I know vegans don't eat meat or any animal biproducts... right? But what exactly is defined as processed? would stuff like fiber cake from trader joe's be considered processed (it's just bran, water, some dried fruits)?... what about tortilla chips from trader joes?? If you could just define processed foods that'd be great. thanks
Answers: If you are serious about this, know that it is more than a dietary change that you are planning to make; it is a lifestyle change. I would recommend making this change gradually. Perhaps just cut out beef and poultry, and later on fish eggs and dairy...that is is if you are still an omnivore now. I am a strict vegetarian or aka dietary vegan of 11+ years and it took me about a year to phase out animal products from my diet. ...So don't feel bad if it takes you awhile.
To answer the second question, processed foods are any food that had to be created in a man made way. Next time you are grocery shopping, and you pick up an item, ask yourself "Did it grow this way?" If you are looking at an apple, the answer would be yes, but if you are looking at a fig newton, the answer would be no. If you are going to purchase foods that are processed, a good rule of thumb is to go with products that have a short list of ingredients that are all natural (that you can recognize and pronounce). Outside of that, try cooking at home and experiment with vegetarian and later on, vegan recipes to find out what you like.
I hope that helps. Good luck! Basically, a vegan doesn't eat meat of any kind, dairy or eggs. period. Some take it a step further and omit honey from their diet. Anything that comes from animals. Choosing to cut back on processed foods, while a smart decision healthwise, has not a lot to do with veganism. Good Luck. Vegans eat processed food, as long as it contains no animal byproducts - so no honey, beeswax, gelatine, milk, whey, eggs, albumin, carmine, natural flavours derived from meats, cheese, rennet, urea, glycerine, etcetera.
Very strict vegans eat no bleached sugar or flour due to the bone char refining process.
No leather, no wool, no vellum, no animal-product-based cosmetics and no silk for vegans, either. Are you already a vegetarian?
If so then you can slowly teach yourself all the ingredients made from animals, and be able to quickly spot them on labels. There is a lot of research you would need to do, and memorizing many ingredients. If I were you I would start with 5 at a time and then work your way up to all of them. You also wouldn't be wearing leather, wool, ect. or using products with animal ingredients which are easily found in many lipsticks, and other cosmetics. Take it slow and gradually change into the lifestyle you want for yourself. Also before getting rid of dairy and/or eggs make sure sure you know what nutrients you will need and where to obtain them.
If your not a vegetarian I would start with that 1st That's not really the question. What's important are the ingredients. If you really want to be vegan, you need to check everything you buy to see what's in it, and stay clear of anything along the "lactose", "lactate",... lines (=milk).
I've got to say though, doesn't sound like your becoming vegan for the right reasons. Although I do agree it's better for our health, I'm vegan for the animals. If it's just to loose a bit of weight, I just hope you won't start eating dairy and stuff as soon as you've lost them.
Go vegan! Please remember that veganism is a lifestyle, not just what you eat. Vegans don’t wear leather, fur, or wool, buy products from companies that conduct non-required animal toxicity tests:
http://www.caringconsumer.com/pdfs/compa...
Or frequent zoos, rodeos, circuses, or other places where animals are held in captivity or forced to perform.
Also, it’s about economics. It doesn’t matter if you give the chicken on your chicken salad to someone else. The restaurant gave you that chicken, and are going to have to buy more to replace it. Economically, you might as well have eaten it. Either don’t buy non-vegan products, or instruct the employees to leave off the non-vegan portions.
I'm aware that you're going vegan for health reasons (smart girl!) and not for concern for animals, but to call yourself a "vegan", the same philosphy must be applied to aspects of life other than just food.
Congratulations on your choice!