Is being a vegan harder than being a vegetarian??

Question

Is being a vegan harder than being a vegetarian because you don't eat dairy, and eggs, or anything made from animals?? How was it when you started being a vegan?? Thanks in Advance!!

Answer 1

yes, being vegan is definitely harder than being vegetarian.  I'm vegetarian, but am slowly moving to vegan, and it's much harder.  Not using dairy and eggs makes a lot of recipes harder, not to mention that you have to be careful and make sure you get all your vitamins and enough protein, etc.

Answer 2

It was more difficult at first, but after a short time it becomes second nature.

Answer 3

No not really. The only hard part is reading the ingredients and all the hidden animal products, whey, ghee, etc. But I LOVE being a vegan, it truly is the best.

Answer 4

I would assume it would be at first

Answer 5

i would have to say YES.  don't know many "Vegans" whom have given up FOSSIL FUELS once animals, and if they are using computers - plastic is processed with you guessed it Fossil Fuels.  would have to give up purchasing anything that was trucked in using Fossil Fuels and only buy from local farmers that you walk to, no phones, no cars basically to REALLY live up to this lofty goal-you'd have to live in a cave or any structure not made with anything processed with Fossil Fuels - most lumber goes through processing that requires again Fossil Fuels.  back in the early 70's when i became a veggie, folks who did not eat milk dairy, eggs were called "dairyless" veggies.  i do like the goal to stop all use of anything that came from animals, i could see it helping the current environmental crisis a whole lot.  just do your best.  some food for thought:  "Each person  who becomes a vegetarian saves one acre of trees every year they stay veggie."

Answer 6

It's more likely to lead to a nutritional deficiency condition.

Answer 7

Not really. When I became a vegan it was actually easier for me than when I first started as a vegetarian, I guess because I was familiar with a lot of vegan foods already. Becoming a vegan just means learning to cook. Its also harder to eat out. But I'd say it's worth it: too many people are blind/ignorant or uncaring about the state of our planet etc. Becoming a strict vegetarian required me to open my eyes and be an educated consumer.

When I first became a vegetarian I was a junkatarian, eating candy all the time. But as I learned more about my options, I became a very healthy eater. My family was always heckling me about protein, like its so hard to get, so I had to educate myself on nutrition. Someone, a nurse, even told me that it's impossible for vegans to get protein! What a load of c**p!! :-)

@ Emma: I'm not a vegan--I'm a strict vegetarian who tries to avoid animal products (such as silk and gelatin). A vegan diet can be extremely healthful, but too many people don't understand nutrition; thus, they are still hungry after eating, don't get enough calcium, b-12 etc, and are weak and sickly. I'm not trying to pass judgment--I have no idea what your diet consisted of.

Study veganism and nutrition before making the leap. It's not that hard! We eat more than just salad!

Answer 8

Being a vegetarian was alot harder for me than being veg@n. I wasn't healthy cause all I ate was pizza and cake and stuff but never included veggies and fruits. So it really depends on the person. I think it's easier for me being veg@n because I better understand what I use to put in my body and have better judgment about what I put in my body. But as long as you eat a balanced diet with veggies and fruits it can be easy being vegetarian but being veg@n isn't as hard as you think!

Answer 9

Being vegan is difficoult just in the beginning. Then you start to appreciate really a big variety of food and to feel really better day by day.

One day I was eating sausages and pork, the day after I started to follow a vegan diet even if my dietologist was no so happy with it.

What to say? In 6 months my blood exams (full ones) become perfect and all the "stars" (bad signs in blood exams) disappeared.

Then, it is difficoult to be vegan when you eat outside, when you go out with friends, when you eat in restaurants. Being a vegetarian is much easier.

I would advice: try to be a vegan at home stay vegetarian outside.

Or better: find an equilibrium. If you really find hard to be 100% vegan all the time, then be vegan as much as you feel confortable with it. If you see it as an effort and not as a responsible and pleasant choice, you'll leave it in few months.

Enrico - Vegan from 3 years

Answer 10

not at all but if you cant eat soy all the time then that will be as hard as ever for you so you probaly just need to stay a vegie

Answer 11

Of course. Not only can a vegetarian indulge in things like ice cream, but also simple things like french fries; most restaurants use animal fat to deep fry with (for flavor). Depending where you live, vegan breads, and other groceries are hard to find. The most important thing for me personally is the protein. It is not very hard at all to get tired of legumes (beans). Without a serious knowledge of general nutrition, not to mention your individual nutrition needs, (i.e...gender, age, blood type,etc...) I would not recommend rushing into becoming a vegan. I'm not saying anything negative about this way of life, I'm just suggesting learning more about your own personal nutrition needs,and making this transition work for your benefit.

Answer 12

I haven't found the transition any harder, but I live in a city that has a lot of vegan-friendly restaurants and grocery stores.  And I cook.

Answer 13

I tried being a vegan after being a vegetarian for 8 years and quit after 8 days.

Not only can you not consume anything made from or from an animal - but you can't have leather, silk etc. It affected my social life as i could not eat out with my friends, and i became really ill. You also have to consume huge amounts of plant matter to feel 'full'. Wouldn't recommend it.

It is very hard and in my opinion, not very healthy. We need the nutrients which animal bi-products give us.

Whatever reason you have for contemplating becoming a vegan - for me it was animal cruelty - you always have to put your own health first.

I suggest seeing you doctor also before making this huge change to your diet.

Answer 14

i think it would be a little harder  bc wen ur a vegitarian u can eat everything but meat. but wen ur a vegan u cant have anything that comes from animals. Ex: eggs, cheese, milk, etc.

Answer 15

honestly, i dont see how people can become vegan. i mean if you dont eat any animal byproducts there isnt much left!

milk, cheese, egg, etc. doesnt hurt the animal at all. im sure you know that the egg is unfertalized. just go vegitarian.

Answer 16

Somewhat, yes.  But I do it because it's the right thing to do.  I've been vegan for a little over six years after having gone vegetarian a few months prior to that, and more and more people are interested in animal-friendly meals.  I also live in a city where there are plenty of vegan options, so it's easier for me than for someone who lives in, say, Wyoming.

It means I can't eat cake when someone has a birthday, but that just means fewer calories in my tummy.  As long as they bring some fruit and nuts, I'm fine.

Answer 17

Vegans do not eat meat of any kind and also do not eat eggs, dairy products, or processed foods containing these or other animal-derived ingredients such as gelatin. Many vegans also refrain from eating foods that are made using animal products that may not contain animal products in the finished process, such as refined white sugar and some wines. A vegan diet includes all grains, beans, legumes, vegetables and fruits and the nearly infinite number of foods made by combining and preparing them. Many vegan versions of familiar foods are commercially available, which means you can purchase vegan hot dogs, ice cream, yogurt, cheese and vegan mayonnaise. Most vegans also avoid the use of all products tested on animals, as well as animal-derived non-food products, such as leather, fur and wool, whenever possible. a vegetarian does not eat meat. so a vegan does sound like it is harder and also more work.

Answer 18

I am not a vegan myself but know people who are.

  It all depends on what you want, and if you really like dairy and eggs.

  I don't think it would be any harder one way or the other if dairy and eggs are no big deal to you.

  I wish I could do that, it is healthier!, but I love meat and cheese to much!

Good luck to you.

Answer 19

well i was a vegan for 2 weeks and it was hard for me. partly because i coudn't find many recipes that i truley enjoyed. so before you start out plan your meals and be open-minded.

Answer 20

i'm not one but offcource it's a lot harder just think of it how many things are made of dairy simple things like butter marshmellows(cow bones) there so much to think of!!!

Answer 21

I would be honest, the transition was pretty hard. I went vegan after 3 months of being vegetarian. I was researching alot on what I can eat and the food I really need to avoid since some contain animal additives that are not so apparent. I also started planning meals thoroughly and browsing every section in the grocery and looking at the ingredient list. It really is a must. I frequent some sites for vegan recipes like recipezaar.com and vegweb.com. But as I go along with it, it became much of a routine. I mean, the information and all the research paid off. I became more aware and clever on the food I need to avoid. but being Vegan is really great.