Vegan/Plant-based Thread
Discussion
Not sure if this has been attempted before but I just wondered how many PHers follow a plant-based diet and whether we could get a thread going to share thoughts, recipes, ideas, tips etc..
Veganism is absolutely exploding at the moment (see google trends) so I'm thinking there might be a few of you out there.
I personally eat animal products at present but have been gradually working more and more plant-based meals into my diet with a view to cutting meat and dairy out completely over the next few years. If I was single and had no family meal times to think about I'd go Vegan tomorrow.
I'm not trying to ignite a debate here, just create a place for discussion, so if any negativity or comments about full amino acid profiles could be placed into another thread, that would be great
So, anyone out there? Or am I still on my own...?
Veganism is absolutely exploding at the moment (see google trends) so I'm thinking there might be a few of you out there.
I personally eat animal products at present but have been gradually working more and more plant-based meals into my diet with a view to cutting meat and dairy out completely over the next few years. If I was single and had no family meal times to think about I'd go Vegan tomorrow.
I'm not trying to ignite a debate here, just create a place for discussion, so if any negativity or comments about full amino acid profiles could be placed into another thread, that would be great
So, anyone out there? Or am I still on my own...?
Hello,
I went vegetarian last April, but my diet is mainly vegan.
I very occasionally eat cheese, never drink milk (never have really), and only an egg once in a blue moon.
Physically and mentally, I have never felt better in my life since moving to a HCLF diet.
It's been pretty eye opening, I genuinely don't miss eating meat at all, not even a bit. Eating out is simplified by the reduced offerings, I would find strict veganism difficult in some situations I think.
It's a very interesting and positive movement imo, however some of the Vegans really are too militant, and don't do the movement any favours.
My Mrs had been surprisingly supportive despite being upset at firt, and meals are easy enough to separate out (rest of house still eat meat).
I went vegetarian last April, but my diet is mainly vegan.
I very occasionally eat cheese, never drink milk (never have really), and only an egg once in a blue moon.
Physically and mentally, I have never felt better in my life since moving to a HCLF diet.
It's been pretty eye opening, I genuinely don't miss eating meat at all, not even a bit. Eating out is simplified by the reduced offerings, I would find strict veganism difficult in some situations I think.
It's a very interesting and positive movement imo, however some of the Vegans really are too militant, and don't do the movement any favours.
My Mrs had been surprisingly supportive despite being upset at firt, and meals are easy enough to separate out (rest of house still eat meat).
DuncanM said:
Hello,
I went vegetarian last April, but my diet is mainly vegan.
I very occasionally eat cheese, never drink milk (never have really), and only an egg once in a blue moon.
Physically and mentally, I have never felt better in my life since moving to a HCLF diet.
It's been pretty eye opening, I genuinely don't miss eating meat at all, not even a bit. Eating out is simplified by the reduced offerings, I would find strict veganism difficult in some situations I think.
It's a very interesting and positive movement imo, however some of the Vegans really are too militant, and don't do the movement any favours.
My Mrs had been surprisingly supportive despite being upset at firt, and meals are easy enough to separate out (rest of house still eat meat).
High carb works really well for me too - I do a lot of running and cycling at high intensity so glycogen constantly needs to be replenished! I went vegetarian last April, but my diet is mainly vegan.
I very occasionally eat cheese, never drink milk (never have really), and only an egg once in a blue moon.
Physically and mentally, I have never felt better in my life since moving to a HCLF diet.
It's been pretty eye opening, I genuinely don't miss eating meat at all, not even a bit. Eating out is simplified by the reduced offerings, I would find strict veganism difficult in some situations I think.
It's a very interesting and positive movement imo, however some of the Vegans really are too militant, and don't do the movement any favours.
My Mrs had been surprisingly supportive despite being upset at firt, and meals are easy enough to separate out (rest of house still eat meat).
Eating out is definitely the part where I struggle though I think it depends where you are. Chinese/Thai/Indian always have plenty meat/dairy free choices but otherwise I tend to opt for seafood.
Yep, it's an unbelievably positive movement and feels great to be a part of it but yeah I totally agree that the overly militant nature of a select few tend to be what a lot of people focus on which is a shame.
I wouldn't say my Mrs is supportive, but she is accepting and is fairly open minded about trying plant-based dishes from time to time. I think if I turned around to her tomorrow and said I'm not eating meat again I'd have a problem, so the plan is phase it in gradually!
NatAsp said:
High carb works really well for me too - I do a lot of running and cycling at high intensity so glycogen constantly needs to be replenished!
Eating out is definitely the part where I struggle though I think it depends where you are. Chinese/Thai/Indian always have plenty meat/dairy free choices but otherwise I tend to opt for seafood.
Yep, it's an unbelievably positive movement and feels great to be a part of it but yeah I totally agree that the overly militant nature of a select few tend to be what a lot of people focus on which is a shame.
I wouldn't say my Mrs is supportive, but she is accepting and is fairly open minded about trying plant-based dishes from time to time. I think if I turned around to her tomorrow and said I'm not eating meat again I'd have a problem, so the plan is phase it in gradually!
It's great that you're interest in the movement Nat, it is the right way for everyone to go in my personal opinion Eating out is definitely the part where I struggle though I think it depends where you are. Chinese/Thai/Indian always have plenty meat/dairy free choices but otherwise I tend to opt for seafood.
Yep, it's an unbelievably positive movement and feels great to be a part of it but yeah I totally agree that the overly militant nature of a select few tend to be what a lot of people focus on which is a shame.
I wouldn't say my Mrs is supportive, but she is accepting and is fairly open minded about trying plant-based dishes from time to time. I think if I turned around to her tomorrow and said I'm not eating meat again I'd have a problem, so the plan is phase it in gradually!
.Without wanting to be too personal, no one should have a problem with what you eat, and if you want to stop eating meat right now then you really should.
I simply told my Mrs that I'd eaten my last piece of meat.
Once you know something,you can't unknow it, have to be true to yourself
.NatAsp said:
I'm not trying to ignite a debate here, just create a place for discussion, so if any negativity or comments about full amino acid profiles could be placed into another thread, that would be great
So do you want a discussion, or do you want a pat on the back? Well done, you made a choice. Happy for you. Just try not to fall into the trap of letting it define you / banging on about it all the time. Vegans are cool, as long as it's not a religion. If you ever get close to calling someone a carnivore, punching yourself in the balls will stop a slippery slope =)
One bloke that might interest you is a cyclist who calls himself durianrider. He has fallen totally into the "head up his own arse" preaching side, but you have to give him credit for being an absolute machine - like 1200 miles a week on a pushbike machine. Pretty impressive stuff! His internet presence has loads and loads of vegan tips..
Some Gump said:
So do you want a discussion, or do you want a pat on the back?
Well done, you made a choice. Happy for you. Just try not to fall into the trap of letting it define you / banging on about it all the time. Vegans are cool, as long as it's not a religion. If you ever get close to calling someone a carnivore, punching yourself in the balls will stop a slippery slope =)
One bloke that might interest you is a cyclist who calls himself durianrider. He has fallen totally into the "head up his own arse" preaching side, but you have to give him credit for being an absolute machine - like 1200 miles a week on a pushbike machine. Pretty impressive stuff! His internet presence has loads and loads of vegan tips..
I love Durianrider, best of the lot despite his obnoxious Australian arrogance Well done, you made a choice. Happy for you. Just try not to fall into the trap of letting it define you / banging on about it all the time. Vegans are cool, as long as it's not a religion. If you ever get close to calling someone a carnivore, punching yourself in the balls will stop a slippery slope =)
One bloke that might interest you is a cyclist who calls himself durianrider. He has fallen totally into the "head up his own arse" preaching side, but you have to give him credit for being an absolute machine - like 1200 miles a week on a pushbike machine. Pretty impressive stuff! His internet presence has loads and loads of vegan tips..
Have to pick and choose though, his vids range from great, to average trolling.
Btw, I live with meat eaters and am very much not a preachy veg/vegan. Everyone has to find their own way, and make their own informed decisions
DuncanM said:
I love Durianrider, best of the lot despite his obnoxious Australian arrogance
Have to pick and choose though, his vids range from great, to average trolling.
Btw, I live with meat eaters and am very much not a preachy veg/vegan. Everyone has to find their own way, and make their own informed decisions
Yep I think he's great entertainment. He uploads some complete crap and there's a load of the same old stuff repeated but at the same time he also has some really good content. Being a fairly serious cyclist I can probably relate to his vids more than most. Have to pick and choose though, his vids range from great, to average trolling.
Btw, I live with meat eaters and am very much not a preachy veg/vegan. Everyone has to find their own way, and make their own informed decisions
Until you understand his sense of humor it's really difficult to tell when he's trolling and when he's being serious, hence why he gets such a reaction from people. I can see why he's as unpopular as he is popular, but if you see past his brash nature and unpopular opinions, his morals are in a better place than many of the other "fitness" channels.
I don't ever really talk about my diet, only bring it up if people ask. Until today, none of my colleagues had ever noticed I'd stopped eating meat in my lunch. Then this afternoon I had the following discussion:
Colleague: Something smells nice, what you got? (In my wrap)
Me: Humus
Colleague: What with?
Me: Spinach, Avocado, Sweetcorn
Colleague: And chicken?
Me: Nah
Colleague? No meat?
Me: Nope.
Then the conversation drifted, he didn't ask any more Q's thankfully as really couldn't be bothered to get into it! Eating the same thing every day for 6 months and that's the first time anyone's clocked
I'm a long time fiddler with my diet, currently enjoying being pretty much vegan but only began a couple of weeks ago. I'm taking advice from one of the plethora of self appointed US health and wellness gurus; Dr Joel Fuhrman. Anyone interested in reducing or eliminating animal products and more importantly increasing nutrient rich plant foods may find his books interesting - maybe Eat to Live or the End of Dieting would be a good place to start.
Long story short:
Nutritarian Daily Checklist
- Eat a large salad as the main dish for at least one meal.
- Eat at least 100g, but preferably closer to 200g, of beans.
- Eat one large (double size) serving of steamed green vegetables.
- Eat at least 50g of nuts and seeds. Half of them should be walnuts, hemp seeds, chia seeds, flaxseeds or sesame seeds.
- Eat some cooked mushrooms and raw & cooked onions.
- Eat at least three fresh fruits.
It took about two weeks to really notice any perceivable change, but I'm definitely feeling and looking very much better for it.
I've lost about 20lbs this year by switching to a plant-based diet in February and feel so much better. I changed mainly for the long term health benefits i.e. reduced chance of cancer, particularly prostate and bowel cancer. My 59 year old cousin died of bowel cancer a few weeks ago. Also, a Vegan diet helps avoid or can reverse type 2 diabetes.
Meat, diary and eggs simply inflame the internal organs and the asssociated hormones promote cell growth. I don't know why anyone with cancer continues to eat something that can't help their illness.
I've now learnt more about the meat, dairy and egg industry, and this alone would prevent me from returning to my old ways.
I've found there are lots of equivalent products out there (milk, egg, cheese, bacon, sausages), with more and more of the big supermarkets stocking them. Yes, some taste slightly different but you get used to it and then if I've mistakenly eaten an animal product it tastes so fatty in comparison. I'm not a big fan of tofu so eat more veg instead.
I've eaten meat, dairy and eggs for 52 years and don't have a problem with those who continue to do so. But I hope as a race we become better educated and make a decision to reduce our meat and fish consumption. The animal product industry will switch to the vegan industry if we vote with our £'s.
Meat, diary and eggs simply inflame the internal organs and the asssociated hormones promote cell growth. I don't know why anyone with cancer continues to eat something that can't help their illness.
I've now learnt more about the meat, dairy and egg industry, and this alone would prevent me from returning to my old ways.
I've found there are lots of equivalent products out there (milk, egg, cheese, bacon, sausages), with more and more of the big supermarkets stocking them. Yes, some taste slightly different but you get used to it and then if I've mistakenly eaten an animal product it tastes so fatty in comparison. I'm not a big fan of tofu so eat more veg instead.
I've eaten meat, dairy and eggs for 52 years and don't have a problem with those who continue to do so. But I hope as a race we become better educated and make a decision to reduce our meat and fish consumption. The animal product industry will switch to the vegan industry if we vote with our £'s.
What's your diet like?
I'm very conscious that I'm doing this for my health and fitness so nutrition is paramount. Only whole foods - nothing processedand no starchy processed foods like pasta or bread*.
See my post above - there's no room for fake food like veggie burgers or cheese and onion pasties from Greggs.
* This didn't last long.
I'm very conscious that I'm doing this for my health and fitness so nutrition is paramount. Only whole foods - nothing processed
See my post above - there's no room for fake food like veggie burgers or cheese and onion pasties from Greggs.
* This didn't last long.
Edited by LordGrover on Monday 22 August 09:04
_Nathan_ said:
I have been vegetarian (no fish, eggs only in cakes) since for 25 years now since I was 5.
It is interesting to me to read about those converting and claiming new found energy etc because I am tired and groggy most of the time and have no strength.
I'm not claiming new found energy. Just feeling better after losing weight. My lifestyle still affects how I feel in the same way as before. It is interesting to me to read about those converting and claiming new found energy etc because I am tired and groggy most of the time and have no strength.
As a vegetarian do you still eat dairy, cheese etc?
Dr Joel Fuhrman's Nutritarian diet proved more difficult than I'd expected or hoped. After a few weeks I was getting bored and more importantly lacking energy, though otherwise fine and in good health.
I switched to the McDougall Program a couple of weeks ago and I'm bursting with energy! Turns out starch isn't such a bad thing (for me anyway) after all.
I am surprised how little I'm missing meat, or any animal products. I'd expected the omission of dairy would be an issue as I always had a weakness for cheeses in particular, but not a bit of it.
I may be a convert, but it's still early days.
I switched to the McDougall Program a couple of weeks ago and I'm bursting with energy! Turns out starch isn't such a bad thing (for me anyway) after all.
I am surprised how little I'm missing meat, or any animal products. I'd expected the omission of dairy would be an issue as I always had a weakness for cheeses in particular, but not a bit of it.
I may be a convert, but it's still early days.
LordGrover said:
Dr Joel Fuhrman's Nutritarian diet proved more difficult than I'd expected or hoped. After a few weeks I was getting bored and more importantly lacking energy, though otherwise fine and in good health.
I switched to the McDougall Program a couple of weeks ago and I'm bursting with energy! Turns out starch isn't such a bad thing (for me anyway) after all.
I am surprised how little I'm missing meat, or any animal products. I'd expected the omission of dairy would be an issue as I always had a weakness for cheeses in particular, but not a bit of it.
I may be a convert, but it's still early days.
That's quite a switch from your keto/low carb diet, I look forward to seeing how you get on I switched to the McDougall Program a couple of weeks ago and I'm bursting with energy! Turns out starch isn't such a bad thing (for me anyway) after all.
I am surprised how little I'm missing meat, or any animal products. I'd expected the omission of dairy would be an issue as I always had a weakness for cheeses in particular, but not a bit of it.
I may be a convert, but it's still early days.
Yep. When I was weight lifting regularly all the bro science pointed towards lots of lean meat/fish for protein and low carbs. I no longer lift as regularly, certainly not with the same intensity so needed to change things up a bit. Once I started reading outside of the BB 'arena' I discovered that maybe the 'studies' and evidence for a high protein diet were poorly structured and paid for by meat/egg/dairy corps & other self interested parties -- also, much advice simply so often repeated it became 'fact'.
Also way more macho.
Anyone looking to improve their health I found several books very interesting and have taken much of their advice and guidance on board.
Long story short; it's clear that a plant based whole food diet is healthful, and the Western diet is what's making people fat, ill and dying prematurely of preventable diseases like CHD, cancer and obesity.
* Much of this is available online here: McDougall Program
Also way more macho.
Anyone looking to improve their health I found several books very interesting and have taken much of their advice and guidance on board.
- The China Study by T. Colin Campbell PhD
- Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman
- The McDougall Program* by John A McDougall MD
Long story short; it's clear that a plant based whole food diet is healthful, and the Western diet is what's making people fat, ill and dying prematurely of preventable diseases like CHD, cancer and obesity.
* Much of this is available online here: McDougall Program
LordGrover said:
Yep. When I was weight lifting regularly all the bro science pointed towards lots of lean meat/fish for protein and low carbs. I no longer lift as regularly, certainly not with the same intensity so needed to change things up a bit. Once I started reading outside of the BB 'arena' I discovered that maybe the 'studies' and evidence for a high protein diet were poorly structured and paid for by meat/egg/dairy corps & other self interested parties -- also, much advice simply so often repeated it became 'fact'.
Also way more macho.
Anyone looking to improve their health I found several books very interesting and have taken much of their advice and guidance on board.
Long story short; it's clear that a plant based whole food diet is healthful, and the Western diet is what's making people fat, ill and dying prematurely of preventable diseases like CHD, cancer and obesity.
* Much of this is available online here: McDougall Program
I'm a big fan of McDougall Also way more macho.
Anyone looking to improve their health I found several books very interesting and have taken much of their advice and guidance on board.
- The China Study by T. Colin Campbell PhD
- Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman
- The McDougall Program* by John A McDougall MD
Long story short; it's clear that a plant based whole food diet is healthful, and the Western diet is what's making people fat, ill and dying prematurely of preventable diseases like CHD, cancer and obesity.
* Much of this is available online here: McDougall Program
Fozziebear said:
I've looked at this a few times, I think I'd struggle as I'm a pork/bacon addict. My wife used to live off green salads and tuna, never really ate red meats etc. I'll have to look into it better, I'm off overseas soon so this may drive me to do it
I thought I was addicted to meat, but it was much easier to give up than I thought, and I genuinely don't miss it.I do very occasionally crave a dirty KFX/Roosters meal when tired at work though ha ha!
DuncanM said:
Fozziebear said:
I've looked at this a few times, I think I'd struggle as I'm a pork/bacon addict. My wife used to live off green salads and tuna, never really ate red meats etc. I'll have to look into it better, I'm off overseas soon so this may drive me to do it
I thought I was addicted to meat, but it was much easier to give up than I thought, and I genuinely don't miss it.I do very occasionally crave a dirty KFX/Roosters meal when tired at work though ha ha!
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