I’m going vegan.

It’s something I’ve been thinking about for some time now, but I can first remember considering it when I learned of Daniel’s challenge to the king to eat a vegan diet. I recently thought of it again because of my renewed vigor for the spiritual, enlightenment, and harmony…how could I live in harmony with the world when I ate the life in it, especially such tortured life that goes on in our slaughterhouses? Certainly, I would be much more comfortable hunting my own meat, because I could at least ensure that the animal doesn’t live a life of suffering, and that honor and thanks would be given for the life instead of just an electrical zap to the brain and into a vat of boiling water.

What really pushed me over the edge is a book I bought dealing with the diet of people who have fibromyalgia (FM), a syndrome I developed in the Marine Corps. It doesn’t advocate vegetarianism specifically (it mentions fish and also has recipes with meat), but does speak of vegetarian, vegan, and raw diets tested on FM patients, with the greatest results coming from the vegan and raw diets.

So that’s the back story. I have a few questions for you experienced vegans out there…keep in mind that I will not only be on a vegan diet, but a natural diet, so pre-packaged, over-processed, additive-filled animal-free products are off-limits to me.

1. What are any tricks, tips, etc. that you’ve learned/discovered?

2. Do you grow your own food? Where do you live that you do this, and how hard is it? I usually end up killing plants…I don’t have a green thumb. I have heard of little communes where people come together and have a patch of garden, would this be advocated?

3. I come from a bodybuilding background. It died with my diagnosis, but I like to maintain as much muscle as possible. I have already made the switch to soy protein from whey for my post-workout protein shakes. Are there any other ways to ensure that I am getting complete protein? I do know that grain + legume = complete protein.

4. Do you take any supplements? I hear that vitamin B12 is an animal-only supplement. How do you ensure that your supplements are vegan?

5. What does your daily diet look like?

6. I am not specifically looking to lose weight, but especially considering my concern with muscle mass, how much weight am I anticipating to lose? I exercise several times a week (cardio, weights, yoga).

Thank you in advance. Namaste.
cin2win: I should probably have also stated that I will be eating an extremely varied diet that will be rice in various enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Do I still need to worry about hair loss and whatnot?
Thanks, tmkt, for reminding me of my delicious sushi. :(

However, I would prefer specific answers to the questions from everyone who answers. Thanks.
Hypertrophy: It’s funny you mentioned that. I am a huge fan of Indian food, especially admiring how tasty it is without adding a bunch of junk. I have some pre-packaged Indian cuisine for convenience…it’s kosher, vegan, and more, while also providing whole food with no added crap.

i was looking at raw foodism on wikipedia and i came across this line "the increases in human brain-size occurred well before the advent of cooking, due to a shift away from the consumption of nuts and berries to the consumption of meat." so does this mean meat was essential to human development but not necessary now?ive met many fundamentalist vegans who say it was never "natural" to eat meat .which one is it? im a vegetarian btw.
humans cant digest meat the same way animals do. we suck at it. our teeth are made for hard plants as well. can you tear off flesh like a bear? no didnt think so

I am on an 80% vegan diet. About twenty percent of my diet is dairy. Organic cheese, an organic egg once a month, cake at a party, but for health reasons, I’d like to do a diet that is half raw vegan, half cooked vegan. Anyone have any quick recipes for me? Diet staples? What equipment, if any do I need to invest in? I heard that a lot of raw vegans invest in juicers, food processors, etc. What do I need?

Hi, vegans and vegetarians! I assume that this is the best forum to post my question.

I’ve researched raw-foodism, and I am sold! I’m eager to gain all of the health benefits from this diet. But there are so many cooked foods and non-vegetarian foods (sorry) that I can’t imagine living without. How do you cope with this? Should i just go 75% raw and allow myself to eat those prized foods occasionally? Will my health improve even as a 75% raw foodist, or do I need to go all the way?

I’ve heard of raw vegans or raw foodists, and would like someone to explain this lifestyle.

I am trying to think of moral reasons etc. for such a lifestyle…. Is it just a diet, similar to the concept of going on Jenny Craig (sans cooking and meat)?

I’m just curious.
Thanks
Hmmm, maybe I am missing something. I thought a raw diet had only uncooked foods.

Standard vegans definitely cook their food… and can get lots of calories and fat.

And I suppose I should add that I am not looking to go on a diet; I have just been seeing a lot of "raw" questions lately.

I am not 100% raw, but I definitely believe in the power of raw fruits and vegetables (I am around 80% raw, vegan, and I take b12, iron, calcium, vitamin D supplements).
The long term strict raw vegans out there look so unhealthy.
Matt Monarch, I love you, but don’t you agree that he looks sickly?
I have yet to see a truly healthy looking LONG-TERM strict raw vegan.
If you know any, please tell me.

Alright, I am a frustrated raw foodist. Right now I am about 75%, but I have been wondering about the B Vitamin issue..

In my research it has come up that David Wolfe mentions in an interview that he eats ants for B Vitamins, but this interview seems to have happened in between the last edition of The Sunfood Diet Success System, and the new edition.. I have now read both versions.. Neither say ANYTHING about it that I have noticed..
I’d ask on the raw food forum, but it has come up before, and turns into a huge argument between the raw dairy people and the vegans.. To me, raw dairy is not an option.. I’m vegan, and have been for a long time. Right now I’m just taking the supplements.. Try to be respectful of other beliefs in your answer, but I’m trying to figure out if the supplements are necessary.. or is there a better source.

someone that just don't eat cooked foods. but is okay with eating animal products as long as they are not cooked; like sushi. I'm not talking about raw vegans, which I know about, I'm talking about raw foodist.