Not claiming to be a “food expert” here, but through observation it seems there are enough vegans out there to suggest that most humans can survive a vegan diet just fine. On that basis, I’d say you should feel comfortable giving vegan diet a shot to see for yourself whether it works well for you. You may also decide to become a “periodic vegan” rather than a full time vegan, e.g., observe vegan diet every other week, one week a month, one month per year, etc. Many decisions become easier if you look at it as an experiment rather than a lifelong commitment. Good luck.
Originally posted by Axtremus: Not claiming to be a “food expert” here, but through observation it seems there are enough vegans out there to suggest that most humans can survive a vegan diet just fine.
Untrue. Vegans risk expiry from one of two causes: 1) Food boredom or 2) mob violence stemming from their inability to shut up about it for more than two minutes.
-------------------------------- "Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace." -- Mike Ditka
I've gone vegetarian (which I define as no beef, pork, poultry, lamb, fish, or shellfish) for short periods of time but don't think I could do vegan. I love dairy and eggs way too much....
-------------------------------- When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden - Minnie Aumônier
Posts: 38235 | Location: Somewhere in the middle | Registered: 19 January 2010
I’m a vegetarian, leaning into vegan, though not a total convert. (Don’t take away the tbsp. of grated Parmesan on my pasta.)
-------------------------------- “It's hard to win an argument with a smart person. It's damn near impossible to win an argument with a stupid person." -- Bill Murray
Posts: 13890 | Location: The outer burrows | Registered: 27 April 2005
My kids dabble in it and then return to vegetarian.
It is kind of pricey. There are substitutes for things like milk and cheese, but they are costly.
If you’re serious, ease into it. Eliminate things one by one until you find the best place for you. It takes time for your palate to adjust.
I’m pescatarian. Eating seafood gives me an option when I am in a place where I don’t trust the vegetarian options. I don’t make seafood at home anymore, and shrimp is starting to taste weird and gross. So I am very close to pure vegetarian at this point.
Posts: 19833 | Location: A cluttered house in Metro D.C. | Registered: 20 April 2005
I'm dubious. Your body needs protein. There are ways to get protein from a plant based diet, but you have to know what you're doing. There's only so much tofu you can eat.
One of the things I don't like is that many vegetarian/vegan folks end up eating highly processed food, like fake eggs, fake meat, fake cheese, that aren't all that healthy for you. If you're going to be vegetarian/vegan, fine, but it's not for me.
That said, we're pretty vegetable-based here, though we eat eggs, cheese, butter and fish. On occasion maybe chicken.
Posts: 35428 | Location: West: North and South! | Registered: 20 April 2005