Just went vegan - very hard in a 3rd world foregin country

[JLICK]

I decided to go vegan about 5 or 6 days ago. My sister sent me another peta link in her email. I looked at it and decided that I might as well try it for at least a day. (My sister has been a vegan for 2 years I think.)

It turns out that I really like it. I have not even wanted meat since the first day. I find it a little gross now. I am not totally vegan, but that is not by choice, as we have to eat what is provided here. I am currently in one of the "stans" for the Air Force. (I get out in May, and I can't wait!) It is difficult to be a vegetarian, much less a vegan, while here.

I do make concessions - some of the vegetables will have light butter on them, I am not sure if the oatmeal is made with milk or not, stuff like that. But, if it is possible, I eat no animal stuff at all.

I lift weights over here, and I am lifting just as hard this week as I have in weeks past. - I can bench 280 at 5'11 185 lbs, just to give an idea of my level of strength. I really think the vegan diet will not hurt my strength. I am sure it is harder to get "big", but I really don't want that. I am hoping to lean out a little and just get healthier.

I am going to keep this up while I am here and when I get back to the real wold. I can't wait to learn how to cook and make protein shakes and be healthy the vegan way.

Thanks

Jay

[tylerm]

Sounds great, Jay. I don't think it is harder to get 'big' on a vegan diet, take a look at some of the members on this board. It is great that you are open to veganism, any questions on nutrition or anything, post away, there are lots of well informed people on this board!

Tyler

[JP]

welcome to the board Jay!

Which country is it that you are from? (can you add it to your location as well in your profile please? Cheers!)

Great to hear you've decided to stop supporting the animal industry! There's a whole new world out there with vegan food, and more research you do on it, the better. Many people just drop things out, but you can't build a new way of eating on negatives (what not to eat). There are 6000+ edable plants out there, so plenty to choose from.

Any questions you have at all, please fire away!

Good luck!

[Mary]

Great to have you on board! And I hope you will be surprised and delighted with the improvements you make in your health and strength. I know I have been.

The oatmeal (porridge) is probably made with water anyway. From what I gather about army cooking, they try to keep it as cheap as possible. Sounds like you have made a great basis for being vegan and sticking with it for life when you get out.

Good luck! And stay safe.