My Brush with Veganism

Since we’re celebrating Vegan Week here in blog-land, I thought it might be fun to share the story of my brush with Veganism…

I was first introduced to the vegan lifestyle about 4 1/2 years ago, when I started dating my husband. His brother and his wife (my husband’s roommates at the time) both followed a strict vegan diet. That meant absolutely NO animal products whatsoever– no cheese, milk, eggs, gelatin, etc. I was already a vegetarian at the time, but I was incredibly intimidated by the thought of giving up dairy and eggs!! Mind you, this was at a point in my life where I was still under the impression that milk was good for me– and I would guzzle down a gallon of it every 2-3 days!! (Ick!)

It took a few months of being influenced by my (now) in-laws, as well as reading the book Skinny Bitch, for me to try out a vegan diet. I didn’t do any sort of transition– I just went for it. Cold-turkey. Unfortunately, my timing was TERRIBLE! I started my diet the week before Easter, where I was to be tempted with my mom’s egg & cheese casserole, deviled eggs and coffee cake! I feasted on a plate of dinner rolls and some pathetic-looking canned fruit. I wasn’t exactly the picture of a healthy, happy vegan.

Let me be clear: I did not become a vegan (or vegetarian, for that matter) for ethical issues. Don’t get me wrong– I love animals!! But I was primarily concerned with weight loss, and wanted to approach it in a healthy manner. The more I learned about meat, dairy and eggs, the more I realized that they may not be ideal for my health.

While I was absorbing all of this information, I happened to work at a popular brunch restaurant. I was surrounded by tempting goat cheese omelets, Gorgonzola pizzas, and the world’s best French Toast for 9 hours a day! Talk about torture!!!  As a full-time college student, I worked 40+ hours at this restaurant– so the majority of my meals were consumed there! I lived mostly off of bagels, french fries, cheese-less pizza, and processed soy products. I may have been eating all-vegan, but I certainly wasn’t eating healthier! And being surrounded by all that food left me feeling incredibly restricted.

During this time, I also became highly aware that I was suffering from a poor body image and disordered eating. The more I tried to stick to a specific diet, the more it fueled my disorder– leading to a multitude of binges, followed by depression and guilt. I fell victim to the “all-or-nothing” mentality, leading me to a vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting. Instead of losing weight and getting healthier, I was gaining weight from binging! The more I tried to be a strict vegan, the more I wanted to rebel! I ultimately came to the conclusion that diet labels aren’t for me.

I would be lying if I said I am completely recovered from that mentality today, but I’ve gradually been able to learn more about what works for me, and what doesn’t. I have a wonderful support system of friends and family, and I no longer follow any specific diet; I just try to make the best choices I can with the information I have. I still follow a mostly vegetarian– and often vegan– lifestyle, but I do not like to be labeled (even as a vegetarian!) anymore. It just sounds too restricting. I’m actually quite the fan of Gina’s quasitarian approach.

And the best part of being label-free? I don’t have to hear anyone tell me:

“Oh, but you CAN’T eat that!”

Um, I CAN eat whatever I want to, thank you very much. I may prefer not to, but don’t tell me I CAN’T!!!! I might eat it just to spite you.

So that’s me in a nutshell. My brief attempt at veganism, and probably more than you ever wanted to know!

While I may not have been the most successful vegan on the planet, I do believe that there are many good reasons to follow a vegan lifestyle. Here are just a few of the benefits:

1. Improved Nutrition: By reducing your intake of meat and dairy products, you significantly reduce the amount saturated fat in your diet– improving your health tremendously, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health. Also, by increasing your intake of plant-based food, you consume more antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and fiber.
2. Disease Prevention: Eating nuts and whole grains, while eliminating dairy products and meat, will improve your cardiovascular health. A British study indicates that a vegan diet reduces the risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Vegan diets go far in preventing heart attack and stroke.
3. Weight Loss: A healthy weight loss is a typical result of a smart vegan diet. Eating vegan eliminates most of the unhealthy foods that tend to cause weight issues. Several population studies show that a diet without meat leads to lower BMIs–usually an indicator of a healthy weight and lack of fat on the body.
4. Reduction of Allergies: Reduction in dairy, meat, and eggs is often tied to alleviation of allergy symptoms. Many vegans report much fewer runny noses and congestion problems.
5. Environment & Global Food Supply: Growing plants takes much fewer resources than growing animals. By eating vegan, you can help reduce the toll on the environment. Feeding grain to animals meant as food sources reduces the amount of food that is available to underdeveloped nations. Many people will go hungry while that same food they could be eating is given to animals raised for slaughter. Eating vegan ensures that you have removed yourself from the participation of this imbalance. Source

Also, I want to make it clear that I don’t think you have to be vegetarian or vegan to make a difference. I appreciated Caitlin opening the discussion about how she feels a bit hypocritical for being a vegetarian, but not taking the next step being a vegan. For those of you who want to follow a vegan diet, I think that’s great and very admirable! But for those of you who don’t, I think that’s fine, too! I believe that cutting back on meat is a positive thing for our health and our environment, but something as simple as “Meatless Monday” is a great place to start. I think transition is the most important part of any lifestyle change– so take it at your own pace.

I don’t think anyone should feel guity about their diets! There are enough social pressures surrounding body image and food as it is! All we can do is educate ourselves, and make the best choices for our bodies each day, whatever they may be.

Sorry this has become more of a novel than a post! I’ll be getting off my soapbox now…

Related posts:

1. BMI is a load of crap
2. Time for a change
3. Eat More to Weigh Less
4. Vegan Week
5. Vegan 4 A Day