I have eaten vegan for half a week

[Tektonik]

It's gone somewhat as I expected. I don't miss meat, and I surprisingly do not miss dairy. I do miss the convenience of eating anything I want, especially things with refined sugars. I am also slightly more gassy than I usually am.

I don't know if I can see myself staying vegan past this month, but I definitely see myself giving up meat and most dairy.

PS Vegenaise is effing delicious

[LeftyMom]

1. The bonus gas mostly goes away as your gut flora change.

You might see a bit more, just because of the increased level of carbohydrates, but it shouldn't be a huge increase. And way less smelly than meat eaters have, thank god.

The convenience thing becomes less of an issue as you build routines. Once you re-learn your grocery routine, figure out where you can eat when you're dining out, etc, you'll find it rarely presents an issue. Honestly, I only find myself inconvenienced by my veganism or even thinking about my diet in any significant way when I travel or go to parties, and I find work-arounds in those situations.

[nankerphelge]

2. That's great!

Except for the gas, of course, which will go away. There are convenient vegan foods out there, but as with anything convenientk there are trade offs. Oreos are vegan, but I wouldn't recommend making them a staple. Check out the "I can't believe it's vegan" site for more junk food, etc:

http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/VeganShoppingQS-Snacks.asp?Category=Snacks

[LeftyMom]

3. You gotta be real careful with that list.

Some of the items on it do have animal products as ingredients (as opposed to as trace contaminants from being made on machinery that also makes products with animal ingredients. Unfortunately that's pretty difficult to avoid without the creation of some sort of vegan parallel economy.) PETA says it's okay because they're small amounts, but knowingly eating foods with animal ingredients isn't consistent with ethical veganism.

[flvegan]

4. Congrats!

Regardless of your decision to stay vegan or not, altering your diet to be absent meat and most dairy is a huge step.

[Ellen Forradalom]

5. Terrific! Here, have some lentil salad

and a bowl of 17-bean soup.

I'm not a member of the vegan vanguard, but have learned a great deal from vegan cookbooks and sites and have cut most meat out of my diet. Still a bit too attached to my yogurt and cottage cheese, but I'm working on it.

[Ignis]

6. Vegan gas = "McDougall Bugles"

:rofl:

Try Beeno if it really bothers you or if you're stuck in mass transit. Otherwise, your gut will adjust within a few weeks and you'll be passing (relatively) odor-free vegan gas with the rest of us.

[Codeine]

7. "Odor-free?"

Umm, I do not recommend you spend much time around this vegan, Ignis. I can create some toxic clouds if it's been a soy-oriented week. :evilgrin: