Question:
Almost everything is made with a milk product.Can I still consider myself a vegan if I eat a granola bar or other vegetarian product that contains a small amount of a milk product listed in the ingredients ?
(By: Jean Maclay)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question:
> Almost everything is made with a milk product.Can I still consider myself a
> vegan if I eat a granola bar or other vegetarian product that contains a
> small amount of a milk product listed in the ingredients ?
> (By: Jean Maclay)
The original definition of Vegan, coined in the 1940s by Donald Watson, was that a vegan is the one who tries to minimise animal suffering in all the ways possible and reasonable.
From this point of view, if you have no reasonable alternative and really need that granola bars, then you can still consider yourself vegan. Otherwise, it is more correct if you consider yourself a vegetarian.
(By: VEGAN2050)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question:
Do vegans use tallow soap?
(By: )
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question:
Tallow isn't vegan- it's beef fat.
(By: rocketkoala)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question:
I have been a vegan for about 2/3 months now and I feel great! But, eating so much soy and plant-based food makes me feel a bit bloated and very gassy. It can be embarassing and uncomfortable and I don't want this to effect my decision to adopt this healthier way of life.
What can I do!?
(By: Erin)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Non-Vegan Family
I have been a vegetarian for more than half a year. I immensely want to go vegan, but it is already hard for me to be living in a family of non-vegs. As a vegetarian/pescetarian, I eat fish, yogurt, and eggs sometimes. I try my best to avoid these whenever I can, but it is hard. My dad & stepmother think that I do not get enough protein and push me to eat cheese and sometimes pressure me to eat meat. I will never go back to eating meat. I feel a lot healthier and better as a vegetarian than I used to be as a non-veg. I am wondering if I should eat foods that are non-vegan that are offered to me by my family so that they do not keep giving me lectures and discouraging me from going vegan. Please help me figure out what to say if I reject what they give me. Thank you for your time & sorry for this message being extremely long.
(By: Camille)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Non-Vegan Family
Dear Camille:
Refuse to eat the meat and cheese! It is much healthier in the long run, even if it hurts their feelings for a while.
Okay, here's the problem:
Your parents don't understand that there is ample protein to be found in vegetables! Plus, animal protein is:
1. Fiberless
2. Rich in saturated fat
3. Filled with all sorts of carcinogens like growth hormones and pesticides.
* If your parents eat a typical American diet, they're probably getting twice as much protein as they need.
> Ask them this question if they persist:
Seriously: Have you ever heard of anyone having a disease, disorder, or death from lack of protein?
No? That's because it's really easy to get. And the healthiest way to get it is from vegetables. Vegetables like any nut, bean, or seed that exists.
(Go with the lentils,soybeans, tofu, unsalted sunflower seeds and almonds for complete nutrition. Of course don't eat them all in the same day-- you can get too much of a good thing, just like everything else. Avoid eating too much of one kind of nut, though, especially cashews and brazil nuts, which are high in saturated fat.)
> And if they tell you that without cheese, your bones will break, or that you will get osteoporosis, say this:
You can get calcium from spinach, broccoli, almonds, brazil nuts, soybeans, kale (a green vegetable that is similar to spinach), collard greens (don't overcook them!), seaweed and molasses.
(Just remember to eat plenty of vitamin C to unlock that calcium--foods like tomatoes, oranges and peppers are great.)
Remind your family that veganism is better for the environment and for you, and that you feel much healthier now as a vegan.
Remember that it is your choice.
When you reject their food, make sure to meet their eyes and be firm, but let them know that you appreciate their cooking for you. Try not to hurt their feelings; and make vegan meals for yourself. Never be snarky or sarcastic. Remember that a pissed-off parent is an unreasonable one. Stay calm at all times, but never let them force you into eating unhealthy meat and cheese.
Good luck to you, Camille.
(By: Leia)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question: Bones ache
Hello, I'm vegan since June 21. It's been about 2 months and it's going well, but lately my bones have started to ache and occasionally I wake up at night because my arm has fallen asleep. Is this normal? I keep wondering if it's vitamin deficiency or some sort of detox.
Does anyone know of a vegan nutritionist in the Los Angeles area?
(By: Jackie)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: Bones ache
> Hello, I'm vegan since June 21. It's been about 2 months and it's going
> well, but lately my bones have started to ache and occasionally I wake up
> at night because my arm has fallen asleep. Is this normal? I keep
> wondering if it's vitamin deficiency or some sort of detox.
>
> Does anyone know of a vegan nutritionist in the Los Angeles area?
> (By: Jackie)
I hope you had success finding someone in LA to see. I have never heard of any of my many vegan friends experiencing these kinds of systems. It seems to me that it would be way too early to have any sort of vitamin deficiency from a change in diet. You would have to be eating very little variety and it would take much longer to deplete the vitamins in your body, I would think. It's possible that you could be having detox symptoms which I would hope would be gone by now. Let us know if you have an update.
Category: Becoming a vegan
What do I need to know in order to successfully become vegan?
I have been vegetarian for about 4-5 years now and I am ready to go vegan. The only thing is that I made the decision to go vegetarian pretty young without a lot of knowledge of hidden animals products in a bunch of foods at the supermarket, etc. I started learning of this stuff recently and I am not sure how to know what has animal products and what doesn't. I guess I am looking for this type of information and also just generally helpful suggestions so I can take the next step towards being vegan. Oh, and I was wondering if there were any good brands of soy milk? I've tried Silk and a couple other brands and I can't say I am too fond of it so far. I did have one brand that I like, I think it was called Pacific something-or-other but if there is anything else that is good it would be helpful for me :) Thanks!!!
(By: Mary)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: What do I need to know in order to successfully become vegan?
Hi Mary,
Great decision!
There is a wealth of information on the internet about all aspects of veganism. For example, a list of food ingredients derived from animal products can be found here:
http://www.hedweb.com/campaig/ingred.htm
But beyond the internet, I'd really recommend getting in touch with your local vegan society or group, who can offer help, support, and, in particular, will know about vegan matters in your area (where to shop, places to eat out, etc.). I don't know where in the world you hail from, but a good starting point is the UK vegan society page (www.vegansociety.com), which has links to vegan societies in other countries, who should in turn know about local groups.
There are also a number of email discussion lists and forums filled with people who can help, including several on yahoo.com, and the list connected with this website: http://www.vegan-info.com/vml.html.
What else...Oh, if you don't like soya milk (and you're not alone!), have you tried other alternatives? Oat milk is not bad, whilst my favourites are rice-based milks, such as Rice-Dream.
Hope that helps a little,
John
> I have been vegetarian for about 4-5 years now and I am ready to go vegan.
> The only thing is that I made the decision to go vegetarian pretty young
> without a lot of knowledge of hidden animals products in a bunch of foods
> at the supermarket, etc. I started learning of this stuff recently and I
> am not sure how to know what has animal products and what doesn't. I
> guess I am looking for this type of information and also just generally
> helpful suggestions so I can take the next step towards being vegan. Oh,
> and I was wondering if there were any good brands of soy milk? I've tried
> Silk and a couple other brands and I can't say I am too fond of it so far.
> I did have one brand that I like, I think it was called Pacific
> something-or-other but if there is anything else that is good it would be
> helpful for me :) Thanks!!!
> (By: Mary)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question: May contain milk
I went vegan about a week ago and I've been very pleased with myself and with the variety of delicious things that there are to eat, but is it necessary to stay away from items that were processed on equipment with milk and eggs or that may contain traces of milk??
(By: Kim)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: May contain milk
Hi Kim,
That's a question with no easy answer, I'm afraid. Strictly-speaking, to be vegan means to use and consume no animal products, which therefore includes even the merest hint of milk or egg. However, practically, you'll find it impossible to always avoid all animal products at all times (let alone never killing, say, the occasional fly on your windscreen) - so the avoiding of all animal products always is to my mind at least more of an ideal to be sought after than something one can ever truly achieve.
But to answer your question, I think most vegans would probably try to avoid traces of milk and eggs in products. Some would probably also avoid products made on equipment where milk and eggs were used, though personally I don't tend to - after all, quite often a manufacturer doesn't bother telling you this, so you can never be certain anyway.
The best advice I can offer, really, is to do as much as you think you can do - after all, veganism is the 'attempt to reduce suffering through avoidance of animal products so far as is possible and practical', and it is better to be almost entirely vegan all of the time than tie yourself up with guilt because you consumed a trace of egg and then give up being vegan because it is too hard.
Hope that helps a little,
John
> I went vegan about a week ago and I've been very pleased with myself and
> with the variety of delicious things that there are to eat, but is it
> necessary to stay away from items that were processed on equipment with
> milk and eggs or that may contain traces of milk??
> (By: Kim)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question:
What can I do to keep vegan leather clean?
I have a matt & nat wallet I need to buff and clean.
Thanks
(By: Sarah)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question:
Hi,
It probably depends on what kind of vegan leather you have. Some kinds - those that are shiny, or have no 'pores', don't tend to need anything more than a clean with a damp cloth every now and then. Other vegan leathers, such as those with larger pores or which look as if they might dry out, can benefit from a vegan shoe polish. You can get this from vegan shoe shops and online sites - the one I use is, I think, 'no bull' polish.
Hope that helps,
John
> What can I do to keep vegan leather clean?
> I have a matt & nat wallet I need to buff and clean.
>
> Thanks
> (By: Sarah)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question:
i want to be a vegetarian but im 11 and living with my mom and she wants to know if i can eat sea-food i said i would look it up so here i am! i have always liked fish but i dont want animals killed so i can eat it... i dont know what to do...
(By: claire)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question:
Congratulations on becoming a vegetarian!
Vegetarians don't eat any animals, including fish. Strict vegetarians and vegans also don't eat dairy products, including milk, cheese, and eggs. Your family probably already makes some meals and a lot of side dishes that are vegetarian. On days that the main dish is meat, eat the sides and try substituting a veggie burger, a bean burrito, or some seasoned tofu for the meat.
Some vegetarian meals that your family may already make:
Cereal or oatmeal
Spaghetti and tomato sauce
Peanut butter and jelly or hummus sandwiches
Salad (add some nuts and dried or fresh fruit to make it a meal)
Tomato, vegetable, or lentil soup
For some easy vegan recipes, go to http://www.veganoutreach.org/starterpack/recipes.html (try the cake! Duncan Hines frosting is good, or make your own) or http://www.thevisualguide.com/vegan.htm
Becoming vegetarian will save a lot of lives (over 2000 animals, by many estimates). Stick with it, even if you're not "perfect" right away. Start with the easy changes. For you, that may mean that you're vegetarian 6 days a week and you eat fish once a week (just until you get used to the new foods). Or it might mean being vegetarian at breakfast, lunch, and 4 dinners a week (and then 5 dinners, and then 6...). You'll be vegetarian before you know it.
Write back and let me know how it's going,
Theresa
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question: Clothes
I've been vegetarian about 10 yrs now and will almost certainly become a vegan just as soon as I can find some clothes to wear! Please help, I can't find anything much at all. What are the best websites for clothes? I live in the UK.
(By: Lewis Black)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question: Clothes
Hi,
Many clothes that you can buy in any High Street store will be vegan if you avoid wool, silk, etc., so personally I do most of my shopping there. But the following sites sell some vegan clothing:
www.ethicalwares.co.uk
www.veganstore.co.u
www.pangeaveg.com/
Whilst googling vegan clothes, or similar, will probably turn up others.
Hope that helps,
John
> I've been vegetarian about 10 yrs now and will almost certainly become a
> vegan just as soon as I can find some clothes to wear! Please help, I
> can't find anything much at all. What are the best websites for clothes? I
> live in the UK.
> (By: Lewis Black)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Vegtarian products
Hi I am a vegetarian i.e.I do not consume any kind of animal products or products containing extracts as well as eggs.But I'm fine with milk.I would like to know what are the specific brands of Cereal, bread,juices and nature bars that are suitable for vegetarians. Also I read that milk contains D3 which could be derived from animal extract.Is that true?I reside in Sunnyvale, California .I was wondering if vegetarian friendly brands would be available in regular supermarkets like Safeway.
If you have any Information to share on these I'd be grateful.Thanks a lot.
(By: Aparna)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Vegtarian products
Hi,
I'm afraid I can't help with products in the US, as I come from the UK. However, I did just want to point out that for vegans, the same morality which insists that eating meat and other animal products also extends to milk, which is only gained through cruelty to the animal. Also, inevitably milk does contain - apart from the milk itself! - traces of other animal products, such as blood, pus, hormones, etc.
For more information about milk, might I suggest you take a look at this site:
http://www.milksucks.com/index2.html
And, as an aside, whilst some people do not like soya milk, there are many other kinds of non-dairy milk available, such as oat-based and rice-based, the latter of which goes particular well with cereal!
John
> Hi I am a vegetarian i.e.I do not consume any kind of animal products or
> products containing extracts as well as eggs.But I'm fine with milk.I
> would like to know what are the specific brands of Cereal, bread,juices
> and nature bars that are suitable for vegetarians. Also I read that milk
> contains D3 which could be derived from animal extract.Is that true?I
> reside in Sunnyvale, California .I was wondering if vegetarian friendly
> brands would be available in regular supermarkets like Safeway.
> If you have any Information to share on these I'd be grateful.Thanks a
> lot.
> (By: Aparna)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question:
Are dietary supplements such as creatine against a vegan lifestyle?
(By: Serrigieo Valinetino)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question:
Hi,
Yes. Creatine, as I understand it, comes from invertebrates, which makes it an animal product. Basically, any product that derives from animals is not vegan.
John
> Are dietary supplements such as creatine against a vegan lifestyle?
> (By: Serrigieo Valinetino)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Question:
what foods that have animal products that dont clearly say that it does,that use diffrent names
and what are the names
(By: zachary taylor )
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Question:
Hi,
I suppose the three that spring most quickly to mind are whey, rennet and gelatine, none of which obviously suggest themselves to be an animal product.
For a fairly comprehensive list, take a look here:
http://www.veganwolf.com/animal_ingredients.htm
John
> what foods that have animal products that dont clearly say that it
> does,that use diffrent names
>
> and what are the names
> (By: zachary taylor )
Category: Becoming a vegan
italian dressing
Is bottled italian dressing like Paul Newman's vegan?
(By: Teresa Moser)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: italian dressing
Unfortunately it does have Romano Cheese in it. Italian dressing usually does have some cheese.
Salad dressing is so easy to make I rarely buy it. It tastes better and is healthier since it is fresh without the preservatives. Just use some good quality extra virgin olive oil, and your choice of vinegar, some fresh garlic and some Italian seasonings. Fresh herbs are always nice if you have them. You could add a little sweetener like maple syrup, sugar, or molasses if you like.
Susan
> Is bottled italian dressing like Paul Newman's vegan?
> (By: Teresa Moser)
Category: Becoming a vegan
Previous posts << >> Next
Diseases and veganism
I have been a vegetarian for a long time, but recently decided I can't tolerate eating dairy and eggs anymore if it means animal abuse. I am trying to switch to a vegan diet, but I have ulcerative colitis, so I have a hard time digesting whole grains and other whole foods which are healthy for most people. I have been having stomach aches ever since I stopped eating dairy. What should I do??
[By: @ 2010-02-28, 19:40 | Reply | Print ](By: Jane)
Category: Becoming a vegan
ANS: Diseases and veganism
Until I became a vegan about 14 years ago, I also had colitis. To my surprise I no longer have a problem with it. There are so many things that you can eat. Please try tofu. It is high in protein but low in the things that you want to be low. You can also cook rice and other grains. Try new ideas and go to a web site like <http://vegweb.com> for thousands of great recipes and food ideas. Once you make a successful transition to veganism I believe that you will see a great improvement in your colitis just as I did. If we mentors can be of more help, just ask. We are here to help. Also thanks for making a commitment to help the animals.
[By: @ 2010-02-28, 21:20 | Reply | Print ]Doc
(By: Doc)
Category: Becoming a vegan