Question:
Is monosodium glutamate vegan friendly?
(By: meagan)
Category: General Questions
Is MSG Vegan-Friendly?
> Is monosodium glutamate vegan friendly?
> (By: meagan)
---
That depends on how you define "friendly". MSG is usually extracted from vegetable matter, either seaweed, mushrooms, beets, or any of a number of other sources. However, MSG can cause health problems. It is an "excitotoxin", and is not a healthful food additive. MSG can cause headaches, skin irritations, and many other symptoms (sometimes called "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome", because some restaurants use so much MSG in their food). Even if MSG is technically vegan, you might be wise to avoid it as much as possible. It is used as a "flavor enhancer" in many processed foods, and is often disguised on the labels by calling it other names. If you avoid most processed foods, you will be avoiding a lot of MSG.
So... Yes, MSG is usually vegan, but it isn't good for you.
(By: Chef Deb)
Category: General Questions
Question: eggs
A friend of mine has four chickens living in their back yard and I was wondering if those eggs would be considered vegan I have seen where they live and have picked the animals up and they are not harmed in anyways.
(By: chey)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: eggs
What are they going to do when the chickens stop laying eggs? They will probably kill them. They only have value to the "öwners" when the hens lay eggs. Eggs are not for humans to eat. They are there to be the home of unborn chicks until they hatch. Did you know that almost all male chicks are killed right after they are hatched. Why else would there be so many hens and generally only one male?
(By: Doc)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question: Recipes
Just to start I don\'t know a whole lot about vegans. I know what there is to eat and what\'s not to eat thanks to my friend who is vegan. She is the reason I am asking a question on here.
The club we are both in is having a christmas party where everyone will be bringing food. As president I\'ve encouraged everyone to veganize their dish so that she can participate in eating.
So here is my question- I\'ve found a recipe that\'s not vegan but can I easily use substitutes or will that mess up how the dish turns out? Also concerned about allergies and cost of items.
(By: Chloe)
Category: General Questions
ANS: Question: Recipes
This is a tough question to answer. My best advice is to run each variation to a recipe by your friend. Some changes will work out great but others may not. We have substitutions for eggs, dairy, and of course "meat". Most can be changed with no problem. Right now there is only one item that does not work out very well. That is cheese. Companies just can not get that one right. Some substitutions are very inexpensive like applesauce for eggs but others are expensive like most imitation meats. Since vegan food is just food that you as a non-vegan would normally eat there should be no problem eating any of it unless you have an alergy to an ingredient that could be in an non-vegan meal. A non-vegan can eat vegan food but a vegan can not eat non-vegan food.
Many years ago I went to a party given in my honor at a church. Everything was supposed to be vegetarian (I was a vegetarian back then). I ate some bread that was excellent. I ask my girlfriend to see if she could get the recipe. She came back with it but I was shocked. The person made it with lard which of course was not vegetarian. This is the problem with a veg'n eating anywhere that food is served that is not made by someone very knowledgable in what is veg'n and what is not. So please do not be surprised if she does not eat some of the food unless it has been run by her before hand. With this said I wanted to thank you and your club for being considerate of her. That in itself will mean so much to her. Vegans are not treated very well generally by society. Thank you very much for what you are doing for her.
(By: Doc)
Category: General Questions
Question: Is Boost high protein supplement vegan?
I just want to know because It's something that is very small and very convenient.
(By: Garett)
Category: General Questions
ANS: Question: Is Boost high protein supplement vegan?
> I just want to know because It's something that is very small and very
> convenient.
> (By: Garett)
According to their website (look for 'ingredients'), most -- if not all -- Boost products contain milk products.
(By: Chef Deb)
Category: General Questions
Problem Gaining Weight During Pregnancy
I am currently pregnant with my second child. I am 14 weeks along and feel very sick. I feel nauseous and weak all the time, wake up at night due to the nausea, and have been unable to gain any weight. I am currently at my pre-pregnancy weight. (I am 135 lb and 5' 4").
When I was pregnant with my first child, I had the same problem, only it was worse. By the beginning of the end of the second trimester, I had lost 8 lbs. Yet by week 20, the nausea began to go away and by week 36, I'd gained 27 lb! I had a healthy, 8 lb 11 oz baby boy. He is now 2 1/2 and doing great.
This time, I would really like to have a healthier pregnancy with gradual, stable weight gain, less nausea, and more energy. I'm encouraged by the fact that I haven't actually lost weight. But it's difficult to get the best nutrition. My vegan prenatal vitamins upset my stomach and so does brewer's yeast and algae-derived DHA.
I've tried every vegan anti-nausea cure I've come across. The only thing that works is ipecacuanha, which reduces the hypersalivation related to my nausea.
In any case, I had several blood tests done during my last pregnancy and all of my levels were normal. I'm using a midwife this time, but during my last pregnancy my doctors could find nothing wrong that would cause weight loss or excess nausea. My diet is balanced and varied - I make sure to eat lots of almond milk, fortified cereals, beans, nuts, and fresh fruits and vegetables. I take a calcium supplement. Yet I'm so nauseous and tired that I have a hard time doing anything. I'm even afraid to leave the house, since I've occasionally lost my lunch in public.
Please help!
(By: Colorado Mom)
Category: Health Questions
Question: can my 2 year olds be healthy vegans?
I am wondering if it is healthy for my two 2year olds to be vegan? and what are some could food ideas for this diet for my childern. Thank you so much.
(By: Isabell91)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: can my 2 year olds be healthy vegans?
Hello Isabell,
Until a child starts eating solid foods, breast milk is the best diet. Even after starting solid foods breast milk should be slowly phased out. Children of any age, after getting off breast milk, should eat the same balanced meals that an adult vegan would eat.
There have been stories of adults feeding their children a horrible vegan diet like the celery only diet. That is a very dangerous diet especially for children. Their brains are developing very fast and they need proper nutrition. A good vegan diet is such a diet. The mentors on this site are more than happy to answer any of your questions. Just ask!
(By: Doc)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question: I feel so sick after 4 days of veganism
I have been vegetarian for 3 years, I didn't use much dairy except for cheese on a regular basis and some butter. I decided to go vegan because of the overwhelmingly abundant information and proof that a vegan diet is healthiest, and because I love animals and I know how unfairly they are treated. I have been completely vegan for 4 almost 5 days now, and I feel sooooo sick. My throat hurts, I ache, I get dizzy when I stand up, I'm fatigued. I am wondering if it's just the cleansing process? I know I am doing it right, I have read many books on natural hygiene and veganism. I eat fruit in the morning, fresh and cooked veggies, complex carbs, beans, nuts and drink filtured water. I am 21 and don't have any health issues, I work out 3 to 5 days a week. I just didn'y expect to feel this bad I am just wondering what your opinion is.
(By: Sarah )
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: I feel so sick after 4 days of veganism
Hi Sarah,
I think that you have the flu. It sounds like you are eating a good vegan diet, that plus the fact that you were eating very little dairy, says that it must be something else. Your symptoms are those of the flu. You can varify this by seeing your doctor. There is no way that a vegan diet would cause these symptoms unless you had a strong alergy to something that you are eating. This would be very odd since a vegetarian diet has the same foods except for eggs and dairy that a vegan diet has. So I doubt that you added anything new to your diet.
(By: Doc)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Guests
My mother-in-law let me know that the family would actually come to our house for Thanksgiving, which is great, but that she may bring turkey for her brother's girlfriend who won't hear of a Thanksgiving Dinner without it. We are vegetarian trying hard to do away with all dairy in our diet (almost there). This has become a pattern. My husband's sister visited two years ago and she too asked that we made sure there was meat for her in our fridge. What is the best way to address this without antagonizing anyone? I just do not want meat in my fridge ever. I would never go to someone's house and tell them what to buy. How do I put it?
(By: Carine)
Category: General Questions
ANS: Guests
Hello Carine,
I would handle it one of two ways. The first way would be to tell them that in your home you respect the life of all living beings so you do not allow any animals to be eaten in your home. If they feel so strongly about eating animals then you will have to go to someone elses home for Thanksgiving diner.
If you are willing to take a stronger stand, you can mention what I wrote above but instead of talking about going to someone elses home, just mention that you are going to have Thanksgiving diner at your home without serving "meat". You could then mention that you would love to have them eat with you but you are not going to give up your respect for animals by allowing animals to be eaten in your home. I would go on to say that if they can not respect you and your house rules then you will miss them at diner.
(By: doc)
Category: General Questions
ANS: Guests
Here is an idea:
Get some LightLife or other vegan 'turkey' slices.
Make a batch of vegan 'turkey-style' gravy.
Heat the slices gently in the gravy.
Serve with mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, peas in
'butter' sauce (use margarine), apple pie, etc.
They will be amazed.
[99 out of 100 omnis love this.]
> My mother-in-law let me know that the family would actually come to our
> house for Thanksgiving, which is great, but that she may bring turkey for
> her brother's girlfriend who won't hear of a Thanksgiving Dinner without
> it. We are vegetarian trying hard to do away with all dairy in our diet
> (almost there). This has become a pattern. My husband's sister visited two
> years ago and she too asked that we made sure there was meat for her in our
> fridge. What is the best way to address this without antagonizing anyone? I
> just do not want meat in my fridge ever. I would never go to someone's
> house and tell them what to buy. How do I put it?
> (By: Carine)
(By: Chef Deb)
Category: General Questions
Question:
Do hens get upset when their eggs are taken away from them?
Do cows get upset when they get milked?
(By: Betty Vaz)
Category: Environment
ANS: Question:
Hi Betty,
When I was in high school we raised chickens. Yes, the hens got very upset when we took their eggs. We were often pecked doing it.
I can not answer your question about the cows. I do know if they are not milked their utters get very sore. So they either need to be milked or sucked on by their calfs. The latter is the normal way to get rid of the milk. For humans to drink the milk is not normal.
Any animal gets upset if their young is threatened. They will even go after a preditor to protect their young. It is as normal as a human mother protect their childrens.
Doc
(By: Doc)
Category: Environment
ANS: Question:
Just like to add that if cows are able to be milked that means that recently they give birth and the calf was taken away. The mother grieves the loss of her calf for a long time, so she is indirectly unhappy being milked. The cows do need to be milked at this point, but I'm sure they would prefer to have the loving experience of giving sustenance to their baby rather than the impersonal experience of a machine being attached to them.
Category: Environment
Question:
I know I might sound crazy but I have been trying to
eat a vegan diet...well I fell off of it a few times and
when I did I broke out in a terriable rash...maining at the
top of my legs and on scalp...am I crazy or is it the meat
or something in it? the only time I am not itchy is when
I stay away from any kind of animal product? Have you ever
heard of such a thing?
(By: soo )
Category: General Questions
ANS: Question:
It may not be as crazy as you think. If someone has an alergy to something the main treatment is to desensitize the person by injecting them with small amounts of what they are alergic to. Then they start increasing that dosage. If they stop taking the injections they go back to where they were before. In your case you may have developed an immunity to what you were alergic to and being on a vegan diet eliminated that imunity. Remember when babies are first introduced to the eating the flesh of animals and cows milk they have an alergic reaction. It usually comes out as diarhea. They finally develop an immunity to these foods.
So if you are going to go back to eating the flesh of animals then expect a period of time for these symptions to continue. For the sake of the animals I hope that you continue on a vegan diet.
(By: Doc)
Category: General Questions
Question:
My teen daughter went from vegetarian to vegan at the start of the year, she is 16 years old, but I am concerned about her weight which has gone down significantly. How do I make sure she gets enough calories?
(By: Laura B.)
Category: Health Questions
ANS: Question:
I have to make this brief since I am late getting out of town for a few days. A vegan diet can be one of the best diets in the world or it could be one of the worse. Let me explain. If your daughter eats a junk vegan diet it can be dangerous to her health. On the other hand if she eats a well balanced diet you should see an improvement in her health. Yes, she will loose weight but it should not be dangerously low. If she gets too thin than there is a problem. She may be eating a junk vegan diet, which is even worse than a junk meat diet, or she has another problem. Please have her read books on a good vegan diet. There are many out there. She could also go to:
You are the parent and even though you may disagree with her choice of diet, you can still make sure that she eats a well balanced vegan diet. Do not allow her to eat a junk vegan diet. At her age it could be dangerous to her health. Be as alarmed as you would be if she ate a junk meat diet. Both are bad for her. Insist that if she eats a vegan diet that it must be a good vegan diet. I hope that this helps and I am sorry that i have to run. I am already late.
(By: Doc)
Category: Health Questions
ANS: Question:
A healthy vegan diet, with lots of fruits and vegetables, is not very calorie-dense. That means you may actually need to eat more food to get the same number of calories you were eating on a meat diet. If your daughter is eating a lot of grains, vegetables, and beans (which is good) she can increase her calories by eating more, or by adding some fat (oil, avocado, nuts).
It's important to remember that some fat is necessary for healthy cells, skin, and hair, and your daughter should make sure to include some healthy fats.
Using an online calorie/nutrient calculator can help your daughter make sure she is getting the calories and vitamins she needs. Try searching for "vitamin intake online calculator." If she's not eating enough, or if she continues to lose weight, definitely talk to a doctor or nutritionist.
(By: Rocketkoala)
Category: Health Questions
Question: family chicken farms, veganism isn't realistic???
So I am a vegan and some of my friends like to tell me about how they only eat "free-range" eggs and chickens and other "humanely" raised animals and that these methods of farming are sustainable. One of them was even telling me about how her family only buys chickens from "a family-run farm where you can go watch your chicken be killed" (ewww). She also wants to be a nutritionist and says that the world cannot be fed on a vegan diet - that there is not enough vegan food and that people in third world countries could not have a nutritious vegan diet. I was just wondering if you had any links or information I could share with them when they say things like this. It shocks me that my generally awesome friends either don't care or think that killing an animal is ever humane. My roommate just says that being a vegan is "weird." :(
(By: Kristin)
Category: General Questions
ANS: Question: family chicken farms, veganism isn't realistic???
Hello Kristin,
Ask your "friends" if they know that they kill male baby chicks right after they are hatched since they feel that they have no financial value. Ask them if they know that older chickens are killed when they no longer product the number of eggs per day that they expect. Their attitude about eating only "free range" eggs and "humanely" raised animals is like saying that I only kill bad humans and it is even more OK because I do it humanely. Remember killing humans helps sustain life on planet Earth.
Your friend that wants to be a nutritionist said one of the dumbist thing I have heard for a very only time. It takes over seven times as much grains and veggies to feed a flesh eater than it takes to feed a vegan. An animal has to eat the grains and use part of it in order to live. More parts of the grains go into bowel and urine. Finally the last part goes into flesh of the animal. So it takes far less grains, veggies, and fruits to feed a vegan than a flesh eater.
As far as links please go to Vegan2050.org. VEGAN Resource Library has many good cyber pamphlets.
Yes, veganism is weird. Thanks goodness! The average person in this world has very little compassion. Vegans generally have a lot of compassion. This makes us weird.
(By: Doc)
Category: General Questions
Vegan shoes
Does anyone know where I can find wide width vegan shoes ? I have tried the vegan online shops but the shoes are all B width. I take a women's 7.5 D width. Thanks.
(By: Jean Maclay)
Category: General Questions
ANS: Vegan shoes
> Does anyone know where I can find wide width vegan shoes ? I have tried the
> vegan online shops but the shoes are all B width. I take a women's 7.5 D
> width. Thanks.
> (By: Jean Maclay)
Have you tried both Moo Shoes and Vegetarian Shoes?
Category: General Questions
ANS: Vegan shoes
VeganDiane wrote:
> > Does anyone know where I can find wide width vegan shoes ? I have tried
> the
> > vegan online shops but the shoes are all B width. I take a women's 7.5
> D
> > width. Thanks.
> > (By: Jean Maclay)
>
> Have you tried both Moo Shoes and Vegetarian Shoes?
yes. No wide widths.
(By: Jean Maclay)
Category: General Questions
Question: diarrhea
Hi- I just started a plant based diet a few weeks ago after reading some books that completely convinced me to do so. Since I switched I have been having severe diarrhea and gas. So bad I am afraid to leave the house. I have also been completely exhausted since I switched. Some days its all I can do to get out of bed. A few people have to wait a week because my body is adjusting to the fiber and new diet. But it has been over two weeks now and it is still bad (I had to take medicine today for it). Will this go away and is there anything I can do for it? I am about to give this all up :(
(By: JJ)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: diarrhea
Hi JJ,
I agree that there is an adjustment period when a person first becomes a vegan. That period almost never lasts more that a week. My guess is that you are either eating a poor vegan diet or there is something new that you are eating that you are alergic to. I would start with seeing if there is anything that you are eating now that you did not eat before. If so than try eliminating it to see if that helps.
As far as gas, some vegan foods will produce gas. Of course beans will do that. Some people have trouble with tofu. Just check what is new with your diet today as compaired with your old diet. That should help you find the problem.
A good vegan diet should not cause gas or diarrhea. Do not give up helping the animals, our environment, and your health just because you are having a problem that can be corrected.
(By: Doc)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Previous posts << >> Next
New Way of Eating
I saw Dr. McDougall, MD. for the 1st time a week or so ago and was so impressed that I have been off of all meat, poultry, fish and dairy products for a week now. I am committed to continuing this since I have 4 stents in my heart artery. I am taking lots of meds and hope to reverse the damage done to my arteries. My question is...can I expect detox reactions from changing to a vegan diet? How soon will I begin to feel the difference?
[By: @ 2011-01-20, 20:21 | Reply | Print ](By: Patricia Bree)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: New Way of Eating
Sorry that you haven't received a response before now. By now you have probably experienced many differences if you have been able to maintain the vegan diet. Depending on what foods you are eating the reactions will vary. You should have experienced increased energy and probably some weight loss too. On the negative side you may experience headaches as you detox but these will go away. I'd be curious to hear an update on your journey so far.
[By: 0 @ 2011-05-23, 22:31 | Reply | Print ]Category: Becoming a vegan