How can I go vegan and keep my weight up, and make my parents let me?

Question

Im 15 and have been veggie for 4 and a half months, I found the transaction incredibly easy and I really want to go vegan.

When I fnd out about the dairy (and veal) and egg trade, I was disgusted, so I thought I'd try soya milk I thought that if I liked it, I might as well swap from Dairy Milk to Soya milk. When I was putting the soya milk in the car, my dad said "oh no, you're not going vegan are you" In a way as if Im stupid, he is very opinionated and found it strange when I went veggie.

I am very slim as I have a very fast metabolism and I have a slightly low iron level. I am taking one ferrous sulphate tablet with and orange every day for treatment.

How can I persuade my parents to let me go vegan, and keep my weight up.

If recommending products, I live in the UK in a small town. (Somerfield, Tesco, Lidl, Spar and Waitrose are close by, theres a Marks & Spencers, Sainsburys and Co-op close-ish as well but they arent so practical . Any other stores please ask. Thanks =]

Answer 1

Sorry, but all your wants are impossible...for sure.

Answer 2

Going vegan doesn't mean instant weight loss, and if you're looking for vegan products that will keep your weight up - well, you're really fortunate to live near a Waitrose and a Tesco.

Look in both for Redwood's products - some branches sell them, some don't. This is their website, to give you an idea of what to look for

http://www.redwoodfoods.co.uk/

Your local Tesco may sell some of Redwood's Cheezly products, and Waitrose branches usually sell their 'chicken' pieces - both are high in calories. If you have a Holland & Barrett, try them for Redwood products too, including Cheatin' Bacon. They will probably also sell Tofutti's Better than Cream Cheese, which I guarantee you will love.

Both Tesco and Waitrose - and Sainsburys too - sell Swedish Glace vegan ice cream - if nothing else keeps your weight up, that will. All supermarkets sell hummus, most sell tofu including smoked and marinated tofu, and most sell things like falafel.

Of all the shops you mention, the Co-Op is the least vegan friendly (except for wines - they alone label their wines according to whether they're vegan or vegetarian, but this won't be a concern of yours right now).

I'm reluctant to enter into 'how can I persuade my parents?' type questions and I don't usually; but if you can demonstrate to them how many delicious vegan alternatives there are that they can purchase during their normal supermarket shop, they may be willing to let you give it a go.

Answer 3

Why would you lose weight? You already have a high metab. so you are likely at optimum weight already.

> and I have a slightly low iron level.

You will find that being a vegan or vegetarian you will be told  that you are low in all sorts of things... but it's not a bad thing.  they are comparing you to the general fat unhealthy population.  Don't listen.

>  ferrous sulphate tablet

Yuck!  Eat some food instead.  Spinach is still high in iron.  One of many things.  Dark green leafy stuff.

The UK has a HUGE vegan and vegetarian population.  Take advantage of that... find others who are also vegan... they are around.  They can help with info and parents etc.  And try to rely as much as possible on real whole foods rather than any kind of supplements.  I keep the supplements for emergencies... such as if I become sick or if a co-worker is sick and coughing around me etc. but still, I go for a sack of oranges rather then any kind of vitamin etc.

Answer 4

Tell them that you won't miss any nutrients because you can get egg replacer as well as soya, almond, rice, multigrain milks, with fortified calcium and tons of other nutrients.

To keep your weight up, have at least 1-2 servings of nuts every day, and eat some avocado, and other high fat things. (Try and stick to good fat)

Good luck!

For iron, eat spinach, broccoli, fake meat, and beans.

I like tofutti brand soy cheese, and soy ice cream. Earth balance makes a good margarine. Trust me - everything that a vegetarian/omnivore can eat - there is a vegan version.

Milk, cheese, meat, butter, creamer, everything!

Answer 5

Nuts have a lot of protein in them. Things like nut roast are great for vegans because they have a lot of nutrients and most are vegan.

Pulses (chickpeas, lentils, beans etc.) are also a great source of protein for vegans.

There's always Tofu and Quorn and things like that which are great meat substitutes. You might also find that you can find vegan cheese in some large supermarkets (Sheeze is quite a good brand.)

Also broccoli has an awful lot of iron in it, so eating plenty of that won't do you any harm.

Answer 6

I have to disagree with Duane. You can go Vegan and still keep your current weight, I have been Vegitarian since a toddler and Vegan for about seven years. Just as you are I am a very slim person with a fast metabolisim. Anyway, if you do decide to be a Vegan I would suggest using Tofu, it is a soy-bean based product that  soaks up about any flavor that you put it in. It provides vital protein as well. Here is the Link to a picture of Tofu so you can locate it in your grocery store...

http://seaotter.phys.tohoku.ac.jp/privat...

Also, just to let you know, that is the brand that I use there might be different ones in your store, just fint that one that has water in and and says "Extra Firm" on the label somewhere. If you need recipes to make Tofu, I suggest looking it up on websites such a www.allrecipes.com (my favorite!), or if you need ANY other help or question, Please E-Mail me at [e-mail]

As for convincing your parents to let you become Vegan, Pelase visit www.unhappycows.com there it lots of Information and videos there for you use about how animals are treated and the toruse and illegal actions that go on in meat and dairy producing factories.  Once they see that, they will probably let you become Vegan and might even consider it for themselves. Again, if you are in need of Help or have questions to ask about Veganisim, Please E-Mail me at [e-mail]

Best of Luck!

P.S: Try to stay away from "fortified" things such as milk and egg replacers, "fortified" means that they (food producers) took OUT important vitamins and minerals and the them BACK in, so they call it "fortified"

Answer 7

Great answer Marilyn! Marilyn is correct, fortified foods (except soy milk) mean that the original nutrients have been lost during processing, and by law are *added* back to the food, for example, bread. Bread in the UK must by *law* be fortified with calcium, selenium and folic acid.  Soya milk is different, nutrients are added to it to make it have a similar nutrient value to cow's milk. : )

You should research veganism on the internet and learn about daily vegan nutrition. We all have our path to choose, and if veganism makes you happy, go for it!

Make sure you eat a balanced diet, avoid junk. Don't feel you need to defend your beliefs to others, because they are just that- *your* beliefs.

Good nutritious foods in a vegan diet include soy milk, nuts, beans, tofu, tempeh, and fruits and veg.

Be a role model for good vegan health, and take excellent care of yourself.

Best wishes.

Answer 8

You need to make sure you eat all the right things and enough of them.  You need a varied diet and you will have to make sure you consume enough calories every day.

Foods high in protein: Beans, tempeh, brown rice, barley, whole wheat, tofu, legumes such as peas, lentils, and garbanzo beans, soymilk, nuts and seeds, nut butters, veggie burgers, and veggie deli slices.

Foods high in calcium: Calcium fortified orange juice, fortified soymilk, broccoli, bok choy, kale, figs, tofu made with calcium carbonate, almonds, and tahini.

Foods high in iron: Dark leafy greens, beans, legumes, tofu, nuts and seeds, dried fruits like raisins and apricots, whole and enriched grains, sorghum molasses.

Foods high in folic acid: Green leafy vegetables (spinach, asparagus, broccoli, romaine lettuce), oranges and orange juice, corn, green beans, beets, peas, peanut butter, whole wheat bread, bran breakfast cereals, dried beans, peas and lentils, nuts, and seeds.

Foods high in B12: Nutritional Yeast (Red Star Vegetarian Support Formula), fortified nondairy beverages, fortified juices, cereals, meat substitutes. Beware seaweed and fermented soyfoods as they are not necessarily reliable sources of B12.

Foods high in omega-3's: Canola oil, safflower oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil, and avocados, and to some extent whole grains, legumes, and nuts.

Here are some websites with good info:

http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/teennutriti...

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitn...

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/...

This website has many good recipes (many are vegetarian but they are vegan recipes as well):  http://www.101cookbooks.com/

Other websites with vegan meal plans & recipes:

http://www.vegcooking.com/pdfs/2wkmenu30...

http://www.notmilk.com/lawson.html

Answer 9

I would say if you buy your own groceries then get whatever you want....If your dad buys the groceries...get whatever he wants.....That was simple.