I'm going vegan, do you want to join me?

[Lara the Lover and the Fighter]

I want to lose some of my muscle mass.  A lot of weight has been lost but I'm still kinda muscular by girl standards.  I don't like it.

Does anyone want to go vegan with me?  We can give status updates and stuff to keep each other motivated.  We can share recipes and that sort of thing.  What do you think?

If you're already vegan, what the heck do you usually eat?  I know vegetables you smart aleck, but specifically what kind of recipes and combinations do you use?  I was thinking a lot of stir fry.

[Ltl89]

I'm a hardcore vegetarian (animal rights hippie that I am) though I failed at being vegan.  It's hard and very limiting, but if you have the patience and mentality it can be done.  One of these days I'd like to fully go vegan, but it's not for me at this point in time.  However, if you want inspiration by a fellow vegetarian, I am up for that.

[xponentialshift]

I'm vegan, other than the occasional honey.

I have learned over the 5 years on this diet to avoid the fake meats and processed stuff. (Processed food is never good for you even if you ate vegan... Just consider pop tarts and lays potato chips are both vegan...)
If you do go for processed vegan cheese I definitely vote for the daiya brand. (A guilty pleasure)

For most vitamins and minerals a variety of veggies (try to eat at least a lb of some sort of lettuce every 2-3 days)

For calories you can either go the fruit direction (make sure you eat enough calories if you choose this path) or you can do the cooked grains/legumes.
I went the cooked grains in college (mostly quinoa and millet) but switched to mostly fruits about a year ago.

One suggestion... Don't eat fat and carbs in the same meal if possible (either have a meal 70+% carbs or 30-% carbs) your stomach and insulin levels will thank you.

You are correct on the stirfrys. That was my go to meal in college. (I go very light on the oil now though)

The only "junk food" I eat these days is vegan burritos from Chipotle, and vegan  pizza from Whole Foods.

Speaking of which. I believe the Whole foods website has some good vegan recipes.

Last tip, whether you are eating vegan or not, drink lots of water! Water makes you feel so much better. (Sure you gain a bit of water weight, but your body can function better and get to a healthy weight faster. (I weigh 125lbs and drink 3-5 litres a day minimum in addition to about 2 litres of water from raw fruits and veggies)

I hope some of that helps!

[Ms Grace]

Have been a vegan on a couple of occasions but I turned skeletal in both instances. I'm vegetarian these days with cheese being my main animal product indulgence. Good luck though - make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet!

[Lara the Lover and the Fighter]

Thanks.  You all are awesome.  Yeah I know I said vegan but the truth is that I'll probably eat cheese and honey.  It just sounds more cool when you say, "Hey! I'm going vegan! You want to join me?" 

I'm a hardcore vegetarian (animal rights hippie that I am) though I failed at being vegan.  It's hard and very limiting, but if you have the patience and mentality it can be done.  One of these days I'd like to fully go vegan, but it's not for me at this point in time.  However, if you want inspiration by a fellow vegetarian, I am up for that.

Im pretty horrible with things that are limiting.  We'll go vegan later I guess.  Thanks for the inspiration.

I'm vegan, other than the occasional honey.

I have learned over the 5 years on this diet to avoid the fake meats and processed stuff. (Processed food is never good for you even if you ate vegan... Just consider pop tarts and lays potato chips are both vegan...)
If you do go for processed vegan cheese I definitely vote for the daiya brand. (A guilty pleasure)

For most vitamins and minerals a variety of veggies (try to eat at least a lb of some sort of lettuce every 2-3 days)

For calories you can either go the fruit direction (make sure you eat enough calories if you choose this path) or you can do the cooked grains/legumes.
I went the cooked grains in college (mostly quinoa and millet) but switched to mostly fruits about a year ago.

One suggestion... Don't eat fat and carbs in the same meal if possible (either have a meal 70+% carbs or 30-% carbs) your stomach and insulin levels will thank you.

You are correct on the stirfrys. That was my go to meal in college. (I go very light on the oil now though)

The only "junk food" I eat these days is vegan burritos from Chipotle, and vegan  pizza from Whole Foods.

Speaking of which. I believe the Whole foods website has some good vegan recipes.

Last tip, whether you are eating vegan or not, drink lots of water! Water makes you feel so much better. (Sure you gain a bit of water weight, but your body can function better and get to a healthy weight faster. (I weigh 125lbs and drink 3-5 litres a day minimum in addition to about 2 litres of water from raw fruits and veggies)

I hope some of that helps!

This is awesome.  A lot of information.  You bet it helps! Thank you so much.

Have been a vegan on a couple of occasions but I turned skeletal in both instances. I'm vegetarian these days with cheese being my main animal product indulgence. Good luck though - make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet!

Thank you Ms Grace. 

[immortal gypsy]

Vegetarian here.  (I love my chocolate and I work near one of the best chocolate shops in Sydney to go vegan), here a some things to remember.

Get a good quality cookbook with a bit of practice you can then start to turn vegetarian recipes vegan.
You don't have to live off tofu.
Lentils can be your friend (but you may find your body reacting to them at first).
Study up a little on nutrition some vitamins and minerals need others to help the body absorb them (iron needs vitamin C is one example).
Read the ingredients on the back of labels you will be surprised how much 'meat' is hidden in our food (I'm looking at you Mr Asian sauces)
Vegetarian only I have yet to be at a Thai, Lao, Vietnamese where the curries did not use fish stock or oyster sauce so ask, and if you find one please let me know.

All of my stews and sauces contain at least a handful of red lentils on principal and everything I cook has mushrooms in it. Mushrooms improve every dish.

If you're interested I have two vegan recipes (capsicum stew & falafel) and one that will need to be converted (leek & lentil pie)

[connorism]

I recently went vegetarian and am working on going vegan. It actually isn't as difficult as you may think, its just that eating out and social events are tricky. Tumblr has loads of recipes and helpful sources in the #vegan tag.

[Lara the Lover and the Fighter]

Vegetarian here.  (I love my chocolate and I work near one of the best chocolate shops in Sydney to go vegan), here a some things to remember.

Get a good quality cookbook with a bit of practice you can then start to turn vegetarian recipes vegan.
You don't have to live off tofu.
Lentils can be your friend (but you may find your body reacting to them at first).
Study up a little on nutrition some vitamins and minerals need others to help the body absorb them (iron needs vitamin C is one example).
Read the ingredients on the back of labels you will be surprised how much 'meat' is hidden in our food (I'm looking at you Mr Asian sauces)
Vegetarian only I have yet to be at a Thai, Lao, Vietnamese where the curries did not use fish stock or oyster sauce so ask, and if you find one please let me know.

All of my stews and sauces contain at least a handful of red lentils on principal and everything I cook has mushrooms in it. Mushrooms improve every dish.

If you're interested I have two vegan recipes (capsicum stew & falafel) and one that will need to be converted (leek & lentil pie)

I am most definitely interested!  That sounds awesome.

I recently went vegetarian and am working on going vegan. It actually isn't as difficult as you may think, its just that eating out and social events are tricky. Tumblr has loads of recipes and helpful sources in the #vegan tag.

Tumblr...thats a good idea.  Im there.

Thanks.

[immortal gypsy]

FALAFEL

2C (440g) dried chickpeas
Onion finely chopped
Crushed garlic
Chopped flat leaf parsley
Chopped fresh coriander leaves
2t ground cumin
1/2t baking powder
Oil for frying

Soak the chickpeas for 4 hours or overnight in a liter of water
Drain and blend in food processor until finely ground.
Add the rest of ingredients and 1T of water blend again until a rough paste is formed. Cover and leave for at least 30min
Using your hands shape into balls roughly the size of a tablespoon, any excess liquid squeeze out.
Fry in small batches and enjoy

I have intentionally left out the amount of some of the ingredients as it can be a matter of taste, mine contain a lot of garlic and parsley you may like a little

[Lara the Lover and the Fighter]

FALAFEL

2C (440g) dried chickpeas
Onion finely chopped
Crushed garlic
Chopped flat leaf parsley
Chopped fresh coriander leaves
2t ground cumin
1/2t baking powder
Oil for frying

Soak the chickpeas for 4 hours or overnight in a liter of water
Drain and blend in food processor until finely ground.
Add the rest of ingredients and 1T of water blend again until a rough paste is formed. Cover and leave for at least 30min
Using your hands shape into balls roughly the size of a tablespoon, any excess liquid squeeze out.
Fry in small batches and enjoy

I have intentionally left out the amount of some of the ingredients as it can be a matter of taste, mine contain a lot of garlic and parsley you may like a little

Thanks so much!  You're awesome!

[connorism]

Just a note: if by going vegan you mean that you will be eating a plant-based diet, us vegans would be very appreciative if you didn't call yourself vegan but rather said you are on a plant-based diet. Veganism is not just refraining from animal-derived foods, but also any animal-derived product (such as leather) and is a philosophy regarding speciesism and animal rights. It's an important distinction to make and helps everybody out ultimately.

[Lara the Lover and the Fighter]

Just a note: if by going vegan you mean that you will be eating a plant-based diet, us vegans would be very appreciative if you didn't call yourself vegan but rather said you are on a plant-based diet. Veganism is not just refraining from animal-derived foods, but also any animal-derived product (such as leather) and is a philosophy regarding speciesism and animal rights. It's an important distinction to make and helps everybody out ultimately.

You know, I was wondering about that.  Thats a good point! 

[Shantel]

I've been leaning toward a more vegetarian diet and want to wean myself off of red meats. The legumes seem to be a problem for my system as I could probably sell gas back to the gas company and my S.O. thinks I'm rather obnoxious and anti-social because of it.
(Brrrrreeeeep!) Oh dear, excuse me!   

[Lara the Lover and the Fighter]

I've been leaning toward a more vegetarian diet and want to wean myself off of red meats. The legumes seem to be a problem for my system as I could probably sell gas back to the gas company and my S.O. thinks I'm rather obnoxious and anti-social because of it.
(Brrrrreeeeep!) Oh dear, excuse me!   

HAH! Better out than in I suppose! XD

[immortal gypsy]

I've been leaning toward a more vegetarian diet and want to wean myself off of red meats. The legumes seem to be a problem for my system as I could probably sell gas back to the gas company and my S.O. thinks I'm rather obnoxious and anti-social because of it.
(Brrrrreeeeep!) Oh dear, excuse me!   

Then start slow don't go for the big bowl of dahl  eat more of a vegetables based diet till your system adjusts and slowly introduce beans and legumes in. Apart from a few legumes my diet is heavy on fruit vegetables and yoghurt

[Felix]

I'm not officially vegan because I don't want to invite anyone to go over my choices with a fine comb, but I've been vegetarian and leaning towards vegan since the mid-nineties, with a few lapses in the beginning. I still buy leather items at thrift stores, and I'm certain that I occasionally take (or give to family) medicines and foods that contain gelatin. I'm not willing to agonize over details so I just work on what I can and try to live in the general direction of veganism.

Until recently I was still willing to occasionally purchase frozen pizzas or yogurt made from cow milk for my family, but I've started to feel bad when I do. I've never bought a container of straight cow milk for myself or anyone else. I was raised amongst red-blooded conservative american southerners, but I never learned how to use cow milk because I apparently rejected it as an infant. That bit of luck gave me a head start on learning substitutions and workarounds.

So, I know this is an old topic, but my answer to the main question is that we eat a lot of beans and rice, mostly. We also keep like a zillion kinds of seeds and nuts in the house to add to whatever else we are eating. We rarely use tofu or premade meat substitutes, but for some holidays and special occasions we do so we don't have to throw out the foods that go along with our cultural heritage. When we make something with bread or noodles instead of rice, we make sure to get whatever is least processed so it can help with getting enough fat and protein, and we try to make sure most meals have multiple colors as a rule of thumb.

Falafel is awesome, stirfry is awesome (try adding cashews or peanuts), any kind of curry is wonderful, and if there's a meat-based meal you love you can probably find a way to mimic it without animal ingredients. I adore soups and stews, and they usually cook long enough that even meat eaters are able to easily digest the beans and grains in them.

The only thing I really miss other than cow steak is gumbo. I can't figure out any way to make that without clams or shrimp or turtle.

[the old mare]

I'm a hardcore carnivore/candyvore myself. I rarely even eat vegetables and even then, only a token amount.  I don't see how you people do it.

[Shantel]

I'm a hardcore carnivore/candyvore myself. I rarely even eat vegetables and even then, only a token amount.  I don't see how you people do it.

Probably due for a colonoscopy there girlfriend, big meat eaters should do that once they hit the big five-O! Just to be on the safe side hon!

[the old mare]

Probably due for a colonoscopy there girlfriend, big meat eaters should do that once they hit the big five-O! Just to be on the safe side hon!

Probably, but I gave up doctors over 7 years ago. I'm sure at some point, I will have to go to one, but it'll have to wait til after I can get insurance.

[VeryGnawty]

I rarely even eat vegetables and even then, only a token amount.  I don't see how you people do it.

Lots of fruit.

I mean, seriously.  Fruit tastes good.  It's like watery candy.  Ever had an orange?  Mango?  Blueberries?  Cherries?  Strawberries?