I'm going to become vegan.. but..?

Question

what are the things that I should aware? I know meat and dairy that we should avoid. I'm talking about the shocking news that we didnt know such as umm BBQ chips that contain chicken fats and else..

Let me know, thanks

Answer 1

Avoid anything by animals (honey, cheese, milk, etc)

ummm im Vegetarian who doesnt eat anything w/ a face but i dont think BBQ chips have anything secret in them...if they do im going to have to look at the labels!

Try eating mostly seitan, tofu, and vegetables. There are many great alternatives too like veggie burgers, tofurkey, chik n' nuggets, fakin bacon,    just to name a few

u can barely taste the difference

Answer 2

Whats up with BBQ chips?  I've been vegan for 4 1/2 years and I eat BBQ chips.  Whats the hidden ingrediant?

Answer 3

Well, you really have to read the nutritional labels of everything you buy. I'm a vegetarian and you really would be surprised at some of the meat-based ingredients they sneak into things you wouldn't expect (like, oh, generic canned vegetarian soup has a chicken-stock base). Vegans don't eat any meat (including fish), dairy (milk, ice cream, cheese), and eggs. Some also don't eat honey or use any products (soap, etc) that have any connection to animals. I also think (but I can't remember if this 100% accurate) that there is some type of flour or wheat (or some product like that) that is manufactured in some way that involves an animal product, so a vegan wouldn't want to use that product, but I could be remembering wrong.

Anyway, there are lots of sites on the Internet and books that will give good direction. Even though PETA is often criticized for its tactics and campaigns, it does have a lot of information on this.

If you are transitioning from omnivore to vegan, I'd suggest being vegetarian for a little bit so you can get used to it. And you'll be less like to get overwhelmed with all the new 'rules' and just give up altogether.

Also, if you eat a balanced diet, you CAN get enough protein. Protein is found in more than just meat. You probably would want to take a vitamin supplement, though, for B12 at least.

Answer 4

Beware of gelatin, especially in candies like gummy bears/worms, and Starburst (found out the hard way). Gelatin, casein (which I have found in veggie cheese ingredients), rennet, lanolin, and whey are animal by-products. The one vitamin I've heard that is in meat and not plants is Vitamin B12. But, we have supplements and Vitamin Water so that's not a problem. I've heard from some people that you can have a calcium deficiency but I've also heard that's a lie from the milk and calcium industry so...I don't know. Don't worry about protein, you'll get plenty of it and if you're still concerned or you want to build muscle there's soy, rice, and hemp protein at Hi-Health and Healthy Habits. Uh...that's all I can think of, enjoy not eating corpses! Here's some websites that'll give you information or products to buy:

www.healthyhabithealthfoods.com

www.veganessentials.com

http://coffeetea.about.com/od/eggnog/r/v...  <--vegan egg nog!!!

http://www.vegguide.org/  <--for restaurants and stores

http://www.veganoutreach.org/health/stay...

Answer 5

Don't go vegan, I know you are health conscious, but you will be missing a great source of protein and calcium in dairy and meat products, not to mention some great meals derived from these ingredients.  You can live a healthy lifestyle with meats like lean chicken, fish, and dairy such as cultured yogurt

Answer 6

Too much like hard work reading all thoses labels. Go and have a nice bacon sandwich, that should bring you to your senses.

Answer 7

Yep, you have to read labels obsessively.  Casein, a milk protein, pops up in many so-called non-dairy foods.  However, many labels will identify casein and whey as dairy ingredients.  People will tell you to get Egg Beaters, apparently unaware that Egg Beaters ARE MADE FROM EGGS!!!  Carmine is made from the crushed bodies of cochineal beetles.  Food glaze or confectioner's glaze is made from insect secretions, as is shellac.  Honey, beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly are all bee products.

Read labels.  If you aren't sure what one of the ingredients is, put the product back on the shelf.

Check out www.happycow.net or www.vegdining.com to find vegetarian and veg-friendly restaurants near you.  I think there are also some sites that tell you your options at chain restaurants.  

If there's a Chipotle near you, the rice, tortillas, taco shells, veggies, salsas, and black beans are vegan.  The pinto beans are NOT vegetarian.  At Subway, only the white (Italian) bread is vegan.  And the VegMax is not.  Moe's Southwern Grill and California Tortilla also have vegan options--just nix the cheese and sour cream.

You may also want to check out www.vegweb.com and www.veganwolf.com.

Answer 8

i would strongly advise taking a basic nutrition course.  a common problem among vegans is nutrient deficiencies, such as B12, which can very literally cause brain damage.

i would also suggest staying away from processed foods in general, as you never know what's really in them.  cook and prepare your own foods and you'll know exactly what you're eating.

Answer 9

Watch out for "natural flavors".  That can mean anything, even animal ingredients.

Also hard pretzels get their dark brown color from an ingredient made from animal urine.  

McDonald's fries have beef tallow.

Gelatin is an animal ingredient.

Read the ingredients on your food at least twice before you eat it.  Milk shows up in food you would think would ever have milk...like salt and vinegar potato chips.

Some food dyes are made from beetles.

Taco Bell puts meat juice in their rice, but it isn't always listed as an ingredient.

Wait staff at restaurants don't always know if there is meat in something, and even if they ask there is no way to be certain that they are telling you the truth, if they really asked, or if the person who told them really even knew.  

There is often cheese in restaurant boca or morningtar farms burgers...like at red robin.

Most processed foods have animal products in them, especially if they have like 30 ingredients.  It is healthier and safer to stick to foods that have between 1 and 5 ingredients.  Fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and other basic foods are always a better choice.

You can use boca, morningstar farms, or light life ground in place of ground beef in any recipe that calls for ground beef.  We use it in tacos, sloppy joes and chili.

Tofutti has great stuff called "Better than cream cheese".  It's great on bagels and tastes great on jelly toast too!

I think you are great for becoming a vegan.  It is a noble way of living and it is the most unselfish diet available.  I wish you the best of luck and I hope everything works out for you.

Take people's opinions with a grain of salt.  People can be rude about things they don't understand.  Follow your heart and don't give up.  You can be very healthy and happy as a vegan if you eat all of the right foods.

You can get most of your important nutrients if you consume 2 servings of silk soy milk every day and eat fortified breakfast cereal.  Natural peanut butter is both nutritious and delicious.  Faux vegan meat is a great source of protein.  Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise.

AND if it looks like there are a lot of trollers on here it's just not so.  Every day around 2:00 PM some rude person creates a new account and harasses and spams until they lose that account.  Then they either create a new account or give up for the day.  They ask the dumbest questions and give the rudest answers.  They really have nothing better to do and most people just try to ignore them.  It's only one person and I think that's hilarious!  

E-mail me by clicking on my user name if you want to know anything else.  I receive and answer questions via e-mail all the time and I never mind helping a fellow vegan!