How do I make the switch from vegetarian to vegan?

Question

I know a lot about it and I have decided for my own reasons that veganism would be better for me. I would just like some more info. Like what are the "hidden names" that I should look for on food packages that would tell me if it contains dairy or meat products hidden away.

Also... RECIPES! Your favorite recipes, cookbooks, etc.

MOST OF ALL: EASY MEALS! I am often on the go and it is easy for me to just grab a powerbar on the run, but I know that they are not vegan, what are some easy meal alternatives? Like, easy snacks, powerbar type brands that are vegan, easy sandwiches to make and take, good snacks, etc.

Please help! Nothing preachy though please! I am very interested in hearing peoples personal experiances, but I look at other questions for that, so please stick to my questions! THANKS!!!

:]

Answer 1

Isa Chandra Moskowitz is a great vegan cook. Her perhaps most well-known cookbook is Veganomicon but she also wrote Vegan with a Vengeance and is coming out with a brunch book next spring. There are great recipes in all of these - from goodies like scones and cakes to chickpeatties!

As for bars, Clif Bars and Luna Bars are both completely vegan. The disclaimer, "May contain traces of dairy," etc. are there because dairy is manufactured in the same building - there's no dairy intentionally put into them.

Make sure you read all the ingredients in the bread you buy! Some whole wheat and other types have milk and sometimes eggs. These are usually bolded in the ingredients section, but they might not be, so make sure you look carefully.

And when I'm on the go, I often stop at Arden's Garden to have a quick all-fruit smoothie or some vegan jerky. I'm not sure if you have any Arden's Gardens where you are, but they have great vegan snacks!

Answer 2

I shop at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods because they are more likely to stock vegan and vegetarian friendly foods that don't have animal products hidden in them under fancy terms. (Trader Joe's is inexpensive, Whole Foods is very expensive).

Be aware that gelatin is in many, many products besides Jello and marshmallows - I've even recently seen it in an artichoke dip. (Although a vegan wouldn't be eating artichoke dip as it has dairy in it).

Here are three webpages with lists of foods (and products) vegans should avoid:

http://gremolata.com/notsoveggie.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org/C004833/av...

http://tribes.tribe.net/veganphilosophy/...

Be sure to get enough vitamin B12 supplements:

http://www.vegsource.com/articles/walsh_...

I'm vegetarian, not vegan, so I can't particularly recommend any vegan cookbooks. Here's a helpful page of vegan cookbook reviews though:

http://www.veganpeace.com/cookbook_revie...

Answer 3

The biggest one to avoid (and it amazes me how many don't know or ignore it) is "natural flavors".  These are in a lot of processed foods, including some that seem safe, like tomato sauce or ketchup.  But they are almost always from egg or animal product  People who say they ignore it are not vegans - it's in too much stuff.

Answer 4

I found this AMAZING website that lists hundreds of animals products to avoid in foods & products. Here's the website URL:

http://www.veganwolf.com/animal_ingredie...

It is extremely helpful...I would list the stuff here, but there are too many to list. I hope you find it as helpful as I have!

Answer 5

Hello, it is great that you are going to go vegan!  here are some ingreadance that you have to watch out for.

Casein- milk protein

Gelatin- product from the bones, cartilage, tendons, and skin of animals

Glucose- animal tissues and fluids (can be found in plants though)

Glycosides- animal fats (can be found in plants)

Isinglass- Gelatin from the air bladder of freshwater fish

Lactic acid- an acid formed by bacteria acting on the milk surger lactose

Animal shorting- Butter, suet, lard

Lanolin- fat from sheeps' wool (can be found in gum)

Lard- animal fat

Lecithin- from animal tissues, egg yolks, and plants

Natural Flavoring- can be from meat (i don't pay much attention to this because nearly every thing says it)

Tallow- Fat of sheep and cattle

Oleic acid- animal tallow

Suet- fat around kidneys and loins of animals

Vitamin A- obtained from vegetables, egg yolks, or fish liver oils

Vitamin D (D1, D2, D3)- D1 is produced by humans upon exposer to sunlight, D2 is made from plants or yeast, D3 comes from fish liver oils or lanolin

Whey- liquid that separates the solids in cheese making

Pepsin- Enzyme from pigs' stomachs

Stearic acid- tallow, other animal fats and oils

You can find many recipes at

http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/,

http://www.goveg.com/

http://vegweb.com/

http://www.veganchef.com/

Good Luck

Answer 6

allveggielinks.com

vegan books:

125 best vegan recipes / Maxine Effenson Chuck & Beth Gurney.



  The complete vegan cookbook : over 200 tantalizing recipes, plus plenty of kitchen wisdom for beginners and experienced cooks / Susann Geiskopf-Hadler and Mindy Toomay



  The joy of vegan baking : the compassionate cooks' traditional treats and sinful sweets / Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.



  The Mediterranean vegan kitchen : meat-free, egg-free, dairy-free dishes from the healthiest place under the sun / Donna Klein



  The new vegan : fresh, fabulous, and fun / Janet Hudson



  The new vegan cookbook : innovative vegetarian recipes free of dairy, eggs, and cholesterol / by Lorna Sass ; photographs by Jonelle Weaver.



  Skinny ***** in the kitch : kick-*** recipes for hungry girls who want to stop cooking c**p (and start looking hot!) / by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin



  Vegan express / written and illustrated by Nava Atlas



  

The vegan gourmet : full flavor & variety with over 120 delicious recipes / Susann Geiskopf-Hadler, Mindy Toomay



  Vegan planet : 400 irresistible recipes with fantastic flavors from home and around the world / Robin Robertson



  The vegan sourcebook / by Joanne Stepaniak ; special nutrition section by Virginia Messina



  Vegan world fusion cuisine : healing recipes and timeless wisdom from our hearts to yours / [Mark Reinfeld, Bo Rinaldi and the chefs of the Blossoming Lotus, with a special foreword by Jane Goodall].



  Veganomicon : the ultimate vegan cookbook / Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero.