Any vegans out there?

[ladylottie]

I've been reading a book about only eating non-animal products and am thinking that I will start eating as a dietary vegan - I won't miss meat at all or even bacon sandwiches (don't eat them now!).

The worst thing for me will be fish because I eat it lots of times a week. Also bread with no butter on - I'm still trying to work out a substitute (marmite perhaps?). Any suggestions?

I've been through my freezer and cupboards to see what items are made from animal products - what a shock! There were loads! So some stuff I've thrown away and other things (fish!!) I will carry on eating for a while until they are all used up - but I'm not buying any more.

I'm already eating Quorn products such as Quorn mince and burgers and will get Quorn sausages and bacon later on.

From what I can see, the health benefits from being a non-animal products eater is enormous.

Any tips please?

[veggiechicken]

I'd miss cheese and yogurt most as I don't like the vegan versions.
With sandwiches - I often miss out the butter anyway - as peanut butter, hummous, avocado don't need butter. Marmite without butter doesn't seem right though!
Are you sure that Quorn is vegan - doesn't it contain egg white?

[Nicos]

Are you sure that Quorn is vegan - doesn't it contain egg white?

Yeh- I thought so too- so I had a little look, and it may also contain milk.

This it an interesting site though.......

Quorn substitutes - Cooking for Vegans

[veggiechicken]

Good link Nicos! Although I do eat some Quorn, I prefer to eat something that doesn't pretend to be meat - anything that calls itself "chicken style" or "lamb style" instantly puts me off!

[ladylottie]

O groan Thanks VC & Nicos - just had a look at the Quorn packet and sure enough - it does contain egg white and milk That's a pity because it's very useful.

But had a look on that site re Quorn substitutes and it looks as if there's hope yet! Glad I didn't buy any more Quorn stuff and will check out the Linda McCartney range and have a look in Sainsbugs to see what I can find.

Thanks gals

[Two_Sheds]

no butter ... Any suggestions?

Make your own vegan butter: How to Make Vegan Butter - Regular Vegan Butter



Frequently asked questions about becoming a vegan - The Vegan Society

Things to catch you out: Hidden ingredients: what to watch out for - The Vegan Society

[Nicos]

My thoughts are that if you try and move away from traditional English foods and recipes- you find loads of yummy dishes out there which you will thoroughly enjoy eating

[zazen999]

I used to be - mainly because I was veggie anyway and then got a quite violent dairy reaction, and couldn't stand eggs [still have wobbles regularly] - so got used to lots of vegan food and got very good at cooking meals.

However once the dairy allergy was over - after introducing it in tiny amounts increasing slowly over a full year - I had a bit of a cheese fest which is still going on 18 odd years later.

I think apart from cheese I could happily be vegan.

[Glutton4...]

One of my Horsey chums claims to be a Vegetarian, and going Vegan. She wears expensive leather riding boots, and has top quality, top price leather tack for her horse.

[Alison]

I'd miss cheese the most, as already said, the vegan stuff is rank . I'm not veggie, let alone vegan, but don't eat a lot of meat and, having friends who either have food issues (intolerances etc) or chose to be veggie / vegan and as a result enjoy challenging myself to find nice things that they can eat. Basically you'll find it very difficult to buy decent processed food but it's no bad thing to avoid that anyway. Even if it's vegan then it often contains things which I'd not be happy with from an ethical point of view but I know that's not an issue for everybody. I find that beans are invaluable and using dried ones is pretty cheap too. As somebody has already said, non traditional English food is possibly the way to go - there are hundreds of curry recipes which are wonderful and Italian food is easy on this front too.

Re the leather issue, it does depend on why you are vegan, if you're doing it for health reasons (ie you, not the animal ) then the boots etc aren't really relevant. Also, if you're just trying to do your bit but not claiming to be perfect then it's nobody's business. However if you're lecturing everybody on how good you are that you don't eat poor defenseless animals while wearing leather shoes then you need a good slap.

[Glutton4...]

Yup, Alison - this one needs a good slap! She's also the only woman in the world who has ever breast-fed... Bless her.

Don't get me wrong, I really like the girl - she's just on a different planet!

[Two_Sheds]

This one's recommended in the Times today:

The Vegan Stoner

straightforward, easy, delicious vegan recipes

[zazen999]

One of my Horsey chums claims to be a Vegetarian, and going Vegan. She wears expensive leather riding boots, and has top quality, top price leather tack for her horse.

I think you just need to point out that vegans don't wear leather. End of.

[Glutton4...]

I think you just need to point out that vegans don't wear leather. End of.

That's the point - she wouldn't get it!

Just had a look at TS link. I'm hungry now.


*Wanders off to find cheese....

[kathycam]

Not vegan but been veggie for 20 years, I also avoid eggs and milk. I drink soya, do like cheese though. But have given it up in the past, but just as I'm out and about a lot, it can be hard to find suitable food, if you don't at least eat cheese.

Lots of the margarines are vegan, I use pure. Theres so much good veggie food out there as VC suggested a few. The pretend meat products can be good when you make the transition, but theres so much more choice than them. Some take time and some are simple. Use quinoa instead of rice, it's a good source of protein.

Oh and heres one great recipe to get you started, vegan chocolate cake. And yes it does contain vinegar, but don't worry!

The BEST chocolate cake ever...that happens to be VEGAN. I kid you not!