Reader's Digest: 11 Reasons that Eating Vegan Isn't Crazy

[MoonRiver]

Please ignore if you are offended by veganism, but this is very interesting.

http://www.rd.com/slideshows/convincing-reasons-eating-vegan-isnt-crazy/

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. Who is offended by veganism? People can choose to eat what they want.

On the other hand, holier than thou vegans can be pretty damned offensive.

[MoonRiver]

2. I'm just passing on information, not preaching.

But maybe you don't know the difference.

[Comrade Grumpy]

6. I wasn't accusing you of anything, merely making an observation.

But maybe you don't know the difference.

[JanMichael]

3. holier than thou ANYTHING can be offensive

I can't stand those types. That said, we are vegetarians... and wouldn't be if food production in the US weren't so damned cruel I really, seriously miss fried chicken...but, I just can't---

[Kalidurga]

4. Boca and Morning Star make some kick ass mock chicken products.

I am so grateful for that. I was having some serious chicken cravings and now I don't have to I can get Chik'n nuggets or Chik'n patties anytime that craving hits.

[MoonRiver]

5. They're really good!

Since I also watch carbs, I like the original Boca burgers. I think they have 1 or 2 carbs per patty. Not quite as good as meat, but darn close.

[Kalidurga]

8. Nope they aren't quite the same.

But, they have helped me not have cravings. Having been a meat eater for many decades it's really hard to give up that meat feel. Those products are great for that. And after you put on all the fixings it's really hard to tell sometimes. I am not carb watching myself yet. I may or may not ever get there. Right now my goal is to gradually go completely vegan, my first priority. I went vegetarian just a little over a year ago. I am sticking to it because I feel so much better now. But, oddly enough feeling better accelerated when I gave up eggs and cheese. I still get trace amounts of both in dressings and stuff, but that final thing to give up is kind of hard. Oh and hot cocoa, but once my canister is gone, I am making homemade vegan hot cocoa.

So, that's the really hard part for me is making nearly everything from scratch so I know what is in what I am eating. I also am a bit worried about going back to school in the fall because I am not sure what my options are going to be. I don't think I want to go back to eating cheese or having a lot of dairy in my diet like I did for the first 10 mos. I guess those are issues I will be talking about on the Vegetarian board that I am recently became a member of.

[MoonRiver]

12. Kalidurga, I am actually repulsed by the idea of eating meat now, but I am almost 2 decades out.

It does get easier!

[Kalidurga]

13. I am getting there.

But, I would be lying if I said the cravings are completely gone. I am just glad other foods have the feel. I think that is what I really crave, the texture more than the taste. Because honestly most vegan/vegetarian food tastes much better than meat.

[marions ghost]

7. only one problem

I am more or less vegetarian, tho not vegan.

The problem with either diet is that people tend to use a lot of soy, which I don't support. Tofu or tempeh are OK in small amounts, as is soy sauce, but I would avoid soy oil, soy fiber and unfermented soy beans. Read up on the reasons and decide yourself. Asians eat it fermented primarily. There is a downside to excess soy.

[Kalidurga]

9. I don't use a lot of soy.

But, I do eat a lot of black beans. Pinto beans are also good. I tend to eat a lot of peanut butter and nuts as well. There are a lot of non soy protein sources. I do love my soy burgers though, not giving them up any time soon.

[MoonRiver]

10. There are some wheat fake meat alternatives out there. I think one is Quorum (sp?).

I'm retired so it is quite easy now to make healthy meals in a leisurely manner. Depending on where one works or studies, cafeterias are becoming increasingly sensitive to vegetarians, not necessarily vegans though.

[Earth_First]

11. "Offended by veganism..."

Oh FFS!

[MoonRiver]

14. Hey, vegetarians, I know you will love this picture of a little lamb

rescued and living in complete security at Farm Sanctuary. She even has her own pink jammies for cold nights

[link:|

[RebelOne]

16. Are you trying to be funny? Yes, I am happy the little lamb

was rescued from becoming lamb chops.

[MoonRiver]

17. Why do you think I was trying to be funny?

Seriously don't understand. I was just sharing a darling picture.

[RebelOne]

15. I am a vegetarian but could never become a vegan.

I love my dairy products, such as cheese, milk, eggs and ice cream. At least, the animals do not have to be killed for dairy foods.

[Honeycombe8]

18. I'm trying to slowly work to vegetarianism (not veganism)...but I have my doubts

I'll make it. I'm hooked on poultry. But I'm trying.

I must say that not eating pork, beef, and other non-poultry, non-fish meats, has kept me pretty healthy (along with walking several times a week, and other things I TRY to do). I don't have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, etc.

I DO have a Vitamin D deficiency, so I take supplements. Hopefully, that has been resolved.

Interesting article, but I don't think I could give up cheese and dairy. Cut back, yes.