Who here is vegetarian?

[kayleybeth]

besides me and ronzoNOLA?

[A-Schwarzenegger]

1. me

[WillParkinson]

2. Vegan here

:hi:

[kayleybeth]

7. Cool

I was vegan for about 2 years but I got too thin. Nowadays I just don't eat meat or chicken or seafood (no critters at all). I still don't buy/wear leather and I use cruelty-free products whenever I can, but I had to give in on eating dairy and eggs. As guilty as I feel about it, I have to admit that life is much easier as a lacto-ovo vegetarian.

[liberalmuse]

23. I don't think veganism is for everyone...

I'm going to try again, but it may be that I'll get sick again and have to go back to dairy. I don't do eggs, because they gross me out now, and I used to love them. Milk is out, too (just soy and nut milks) but both my daughter and I love yogurt and cheese. It's a lot easier being a vegetarian because even if you eat poorly, you still can get the quick protein boost from dairy. If you try to do that as a vegan, forget it! I feel the guilt too, sometimes, until I remember that it's a great accomplishment just giving up meat. I'd also feel guilty at work parties, because my boss would order stuff special for me, even though I told him not to. Yesterday, we had a pizza party at work and some of the meat eaters were digging into my veggie pizza instead of the sausage and pepperoni so I don't feel the least bit guilty anymore in this respect, LOL.

[WillParkinson]

54. Protein

There are many foods that are high in protein and still vegan.

In a 1 pound box of Wheat Meat from White Wave: 24 grams of protein per serving (5 servings per box)

For 3 slices of Smart Deli from Lightlife you get:
Country Ham: 11 grams
Bologna: 10 grams
Turkey: 10 grams

Vegan does NOT necessarily mean healthy. It does mean healthier, in general. We go to a vegan bakery on the weekends and get some awesome cherry tarts. We also pick up brownies, cakes and pies for friends who tell us that they would never be able to tell the difference.

[aquaman]

3. Me too.......

For the last four years.

[paradisiac]

4. I am.

I have been for about 6 years.

[mddemo]

6. nope

meateater here, yummy steak

[ott]

5. Vegan

Almost 2 years. :bounce:

[kayleybeth]

10. Ott:

How do you keep your weight up? That was the toughest thing about being vegan for me. If I hadn't started eating eggs and dairy again, I would weigh about 60 pounds right now, LOL!

[ott]

15. I've lost 60 lbs!

I could stand to drop another 10 but I'm happy so far, and I've kind of plateaued.

Starches, seeds, nuts, junk... I also gain when I lift weights. I eat a LOT too, 5 - 6 meals a day, and even when I don't my metabolism compensates.

I've never had a problem gaining weight though, just happy I dropped.

[usrbs]

8. Been one for more than 5 years.

But I don't think I could ever take the nexxt steps and become vegan.

[kayleybeth]

11. Me too

I've been vegetarian for over 5 years, was vegan for the first two years.

[rucky]

9. I'm an animal lover...

...but some animals I love with potatoes.

[Elad]

12. I'm vegan

Veg for 2 1/2 years, vegan for almost 1 year.

:hi:

[kayleybeth]

18. Hi elad

How do you keep your weight up? I had a big problem with that for the 2 years I was vegan. Couldn't manage to get enough calories, no matter how much I ate.

[Elad]

22. What were you eating?

If you ate nothing but salads and fruit I could see how that would be a problem. I've lost 35 lbs. since I gave up meat, and am sitting at a healthy-for-my-height 160-165 presently. I fluctuate up and down, but I don't drop below 160.

I either eat a bowl of high-fiber cereal with rice milk and flax oil for breakfast, or a protein shake (Peaceful Planet makes a GREAT, sugar-free vegan shake), depending on how much time I have.

For lunch I'll either have an apple/other fruit or a salad, and then either a microwaveable entree such as Celetano's line of vegan pastas (really good) with a cup of just-add-hot-water miso soup, or I'll have a Tofurky sandwich (with plenty of vegenaise! mmmMMmmm! there's gotta easily be 150 calories in a good, sloppy serving of vegenaise. :) ) or leftovers.

I switch off on dinner - sometimes I'll be good and cook something, like beans and rice, tofu alfredo, green rice (rice baked with spinach, broccoli, tofu, garlic and onion - to DIE for), homemade soup, or something else from one of my cookbooks, or if I'm feeling lazy I'll just heat up a plate of Health is Wealth's vegan buffalo wings and dip them in Vegenaise. Occassionally I'll eat out at a mexican or chinese joint - burritos are chok full of calories. :)

Basically, there's no reason not to eat hearty AND vegan. Stuff yourself! Most vegan fatty foods contain healthy fats which, unlike saturated fats found in meat and dairy, are good for you - but still give you a good caloric punch. Starchy foods are great for getting those extra calories and filling yourself up, as well, such as potatoes, brown rice, corn, etc. Pasta is high calorie, too.

If you eat a varied diet, don't just eat salad and fruit, fill yourself up, and make sure you're getting plenty of healthy (unsaturated) fats - you shouldn't have a problem getting your daily calorie requirments. And that advice could apply to anyone, not just vegans. :)

Good luck.

[kayleybeth]

25. I didn't really limit myself

I pretty much ate anything that fell within the vegan diet. Salad, fruit, chips, nuts, rice, soy, TVP, LOTS of potatoes. I guess I'm just cursed with an overactive metabolism. My fighting weight is about 105, so that doesn't leave a lot of room for weight loss. Anything less than 100 lbs and I look scary anorexic horrible. For some reason, once I added dairy back to my diet I started gaining weight almost immediately.

Thanks for the reply :)

[Elad]

27. Ahh, well if you're that small

I can see how any drop in weight could be problematic. The reason you saw the weight come back with dairy is because it's loaded with saturated fat. There are saturated vegetable oils, specifically coconut oil. You might try using coconut oil in your cooking and see if that prevents you from losing the weight - it's worth a shot at least. :)

Also, how old are you? Most people notice their metabolism slows down significantly as they get older.

[roughsatori]

13. Me NT

[prolesunited]

14. Me

I do eat dairy and eggs about three times a week, though. I'm not ready to make the final step and don't know if I ever will.

[Sacajawea]

16. Veg. since 1964....

Hale, hearty, 100% healthy!

[Rowdyboy]

21. No meat for 39 years?

My God, thats amazing! I have to admit, while I try to eat reasonably, I could never do what you guys do. You have my sincere congratulations for your concern with health and your willpower.

[liberalmuse]

17. Veggie, here...

going vegan, since my daughter informed me that she wants to go vegan by this time next year. She went vegetarian in January, I've been vegetarian for over 4 years. Most of her friends have become or are in the process of going vegetarian. A couple years ago, they thought it was so weird that I was vegetarian, but now they've got PETA stickers on their cars, LOL. I tried going vegan about a year after going vegetarian, but got sick because I didn't eat properly, so this time my daughter and I are educating ourselves and doing it right. I'll never go back to eating meat again. Years ago, a guy I met gave me some incense and a booklet on vegetarianism and animal cruelty. I don't think people realize how a small action of theirs can end up changing a person's life. A few years later, I finally cut out all meat after a few unsuccessful tries, because I could never forget what I read.

[kayleybeth]

19. My kids' friends

still think I am a wierdo, LOL!

[Benhurst]

20. I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years, mostly for animal

rights reasons; but I love cheese. Before I die, I would like to have sampled every type of cheese produced by our good friends the French.

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

24. vegan here !!!

VEGAN !! because I love all animals.

[GURUving]

26. I used to be, and may try it again

I lost much weight in a short time. I kind of missed my slight, actually mild to moderate, pudgieness, and have managed to regain my former non-svelte physique.

I'm not that pudgy.

[ronzo]

28. 3 Years.

You knew that.
Shameless!!!!!
bump.

[cliss]

29. (raises hand)

I am! I've been a vegetarian for 10 years. Love it. My grocery bill is VERY low because I don't eat any expensive meats, and I have fabulous gourmet meals every night.

[E_Zapata]

35. And kitchen clean-up is a breeze

No sickening fatty smelly pans to clean.

[Rhiannon12866]

30. I am, for the most part. Though I occasionally eat fish

and am tempted by potatoes and gravy! I have never been much of a meat-eater, but occasionally fall off the wagon for the reasons I just named.:shrug:

[hussar]

31. I am

ex Brit soldier and 20 years trucking, been a veggie for about 10 years now.

[Swede]

32. I'm a meat eater

basically an omnivore I guess.

[Superfly]

66. If God didn't want us to eat animals

he wouldn't have made them out of meat, is what I always say.

:evilgrin:

[JohnKleeb]

33. me NOT

Just playing.

[E_Zapata]

34. I was until my cholesterol went UP.......

and now I eat meat protein about twice a week - and the cholesterol came down.

????????

[prolesunited]

63. Do you have a breakdown of your cholesterol?

My HDL and LDL went down dramatically, however, my triglycerides went up substantially. With a little research, I discovered that I was consuming too many carbs, which can elevate the triglycerides. I just cut down, and now all three levels are below average.

[Madrone]

36. Almost 4 years (Jan 1)

I DO very, very occasionally eat fish/seafood - but it's rare. I will probably eventually cut that out too, but for now - shimp, crab legs, scallops and fish are a guilty pleasure I still permit myself from time to time.

I also haven't cut out eggs/dairy. I exclusively buy organic milk and eggs (for 4x the cost!) but cheese is pretty much regular store stuff.

I don't eat eggs very often at all - but I have sugar gliders and eggs are a staple part of their diet. Now I can buy a carton and not have them rot because I just can't eat 12 eggs before they expire. I love hard boiled eggs, and now I get to have them occasionally since they are always fresh and in the fridge for the critters. My puppy likes an occasional hard-boiled egg himself.

I also have to buy chicken breast and turkey breast for the gliders. Luckily, I don't have to buy it often (I HATE supporting the factory farms) - and I try to get a lot at once so I can cut it up in portion sized pieces and wrap them in saran wrap before throwing them in a freezer bag and into the freezer. I guess I'd rather swing by the meat counter on occasion for the gliders than feed them little mousies or day old chicks!

I'd love to go vegan - but I think I'd need an accomplished vegan man in my life to help me switch.. :) I just don't know how to *do* life with no cheese!

[bicentennial_baby]

37. Here

Lacto-ovo

[Rhiannon12866]

38. I guess that means that you avoided lamb curry at NMH!

I have rarely encountered anything so unappealing in my life, as this! The smell of this hung in Gould Hall for days. You may have had an advantage, since you probably ate in the dining hall. On days that they served this, though not a vegetarian at the time, I ate only potatoes. And I often avoided them because they were my beat! I think Northfield was instrumental in my avoidance of meat! Did you ever encounter "cheese strata?" Not meat, but equally disgusting!:puke:

[Piperay]

39. I am

I have been since I was about 7 years old, I am in my 40's now so that is almost my whole life. :-) Unfortunately I am kind of a junk food vegetarian...I love cheese, eat ice cream, candy and junk like that :9 :shrug: :-)

[ronzo]

40. That's my kind of vegetarian.....

No critters.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

41. cheese without rennett, right?

[ronzo]

42. In a perfect world, yes.

I give myself a break. I live in food city, USA.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

43. Where's that? They got soy cheese everywhere now, dont they?

[ronzo]

44. Soy cheese blows. There are several different ways to go....

From experience, if you're going for vegan cheese, you're SOL.
I do dairy myself.

edit: anal typo

[kayleybeth]

45. "Soy cheese blows."

LOL! It's true. I can vouch for that.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

49. I like to be able to think about what's in things if possible.

I dig soy cheese. I kept thinking about that
rennett in regular cheese.

[kayleybeth]

51. Animal rennett

is only in the more expensive cheeses I think. Synthetic rennett is cheaper and can be found in the less expensive cheeses like Kraft (almost all of their cheeses are free of animal rennett), store brands, et al.

Kayeleigh

[A-Schwarzenegger]

52. I didn't know that. I'll check it out. Thanks.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

48. I was never into dairy much to start with

so it was easy to go soy for cheese, rice milk for
coffee & cereal.

[curse10]

57. LoL

Soy cheese IS nasty. One of the reasons I haven't been able to cut the real stuff out of my diet.

[RebelOne]

46. I'm vegetarian

I love the animals too much to eat them.

[ronzo]

47. That works for me on so many levels...

Welcome :hi:

[kayleybeth]

50. Hi

Welcome to DU RebelOne :)

[Raine]

53. Me

I have been for years and years. :-) I love animals to much to eat them but I also just never cared for the taste of me either. :puke:

[Lori Price CLG]

55. I am a vegetarian...

It's tough to find good veggie options here in CT, let alone a vegetarian restaurant!
:)-Lori

[curse10]

56. Me

I'm a lacto. I don't eat eggs- but I do eat cheese, but I don't drink milk :-) Milk is nasty!

[Crowdance]

58. Me, too. 30 years.

Boy, am I old!

[SWPAdem]

59. Why am I the only one that has gained weight?

Could have something to do with all the candy I shovel into my mouth! Lacto-ovo for eight years....use only organic dairy products and farm eggs.

[FDRrocks]

60. Veggie!

Just started down the Vegan path, going well at that. :pals:

[DancingBear]

61. Two more here

My wife and I have been vegetarian (lacto-ovo) for almost 30 years.

[AlienGirl]

62. Me!

For ten years now, and I have two healthy vegetarian kids.

I'm vegan, btw.

Tucker

[jobycom]

64. I am

And I'm bored enough to answer tonight.

[deaniebopper]

65. I eat vegetarians for breakfast.

[4_Legs_Good]

67. Ovo lacto

vegetarian here. Maybe fish and shell fish once a year.

Good stuff mainard!

david

Kucinich 2004

Recall NO
Gropy McNazi NO
Bustamante - sure, whatever

[Hell Hath No Fury]

68. Veggie, some eggs/dairy...

Have been going on 14 years now, though I naturally avoided as much meat growing up as I could -- stuck to the non-identifiable lips/butts meat like hot dogs and baloney. You couldn't pay me to eat ribs, roast, chops -- anything still on the bone.