I need HELP! ahhhhhhh!

[Muay Jin]

I have just switched from a pretty much ALL meat diet to a vegan one, but im failing, I find myself eating lots of beans and thats about it. Meanwhile i'm going to the toilet almost once an hour =(
QUESTION: What can I eat that will slow down that side of things?


My muscles constantly ache from the punishing i give them with boxing and parkour.
QUESTION: I'm eating plenty of Tofu/beans am i missing out on something?

I'm feeling pretty crap, probably cause i dont eat all that much vegies or fruit but i can't really afford them?...

=(

[Enhydra Lutris]

I'm not an expert in any way , but here are a few thoughts. Do you get enough carbohydrate to cover what you spend during training? Grains, potatoes, root vegetables will give lots of cheap energy and fibres (to help your tummy, if that is the problem). For (more) proteins, add things like lentils and quinoa plus nuts and seeds. As with any food, it's always nice to vary so you don't eat tofu twice a day, every day of the week.

When it comes to fruit and veg, get the ones that are in season and therefore cheaper, to save money and get some variation.

I'm sure you'll get many more replies soon.

[Hiking Fox]

Where do you buy your fruit and veg? I get mine from markets and suchlike, it's usually half the price of getting them from a supermarket.

Example: a bunch of coriander in a supermarket will sell for around £1.20. Down the market, or at a big Indian grocers nearby, they sell for 60p each or 2 for £1.

With regards to diet, I'd say don't make big changes overnight. Phase out the meat etc. make sure you eat lots of rice, pasta etc.

[Dave Noisy]

Yeah, carbs are your friend, don't worry about protein as much...

Also, make sure you're eating *enough* - it's actually easy to under-eat by accident, so count your calories, and make sure you're getting enough! (As you've experienced, plant foods have more fibre, which doesn't count as calories, tho it's good for your insides!)

Speaking of which, that'll settle down as your body adjusts to getting all that good stuff..you'll have more movements than you're prolly used to, three a day (ie, one per meal) is a good number.

Good luck!!

[Muay Jin]

Its ok, everything has righted itself.

I've begun eating Vegemite and everything has righted itself (I think).

Although I might go see a sports dietician and get them to make me a diet =)

Thanks guys =)

[tempehmomma]

jin2, did you stop eating meat "cold turkey?" Some people may be able to make that transition without any difficulty, however others do not. When I went vegan I weaned myself off of meat over a period of 3 months. I consumed meat 3 days a week for a month, then 2 days a week for a month, then 1 day a week for a month.

IMO I would not recommend that anyone stop eating meat "cold turkey" to be on the safe side.

[Enhydra Lutris]

jin2, did you stop eating meat "cold turkey?" Some people may be able to make that transition without any difficulty, however others do not. When I went vegan I weaned myself off of meat over a period of 3 months. I consumed meat 3 days a week for a month, then 2 days a week for a month, then 1 day a week for a month.

IMO I would not recommend that anyone stop eating meat "cold turkey" to be on the safe side.

Just out of interest, why would it make any difference

[tempehmomma]

My opinion is based on personal experience not scientific research. Everyones body can react differently.

I tried to stop eating meat "cold turkey" before and I felt weak and I lacked energy. Whether someone chooses to stop eating meat "cold turkey" or wean off I would suggest they do there home work to make sure they are getting all of the essential vitamins and nutrients from plant sources.

I want to clarify that I am not discouraging anyone to stop eating meat "cold turkey." My concern is that I know many vegans who eat less healthy on a vegan diet than they did consuming animal products as far as not getting all of the essential vitamins and nutrients from plant sources because they didn't do there home work.

Simply Vegan by Debra Wasserman
www.vrg.org

[Enhydra Lutris]

I tried to stop eating meat "cold turkey" before and I felt weak and I lacked energy. Whether someone chooses to stop eating meat "cold turkey" or wean off I would suggest they do there home work to make sure they are getting all of the essential vitamins and nutrients from plant sources.

Ah, okay. I see what you mean. I was just being curious, that's all.

/Enhydra

[Hiking Fox]

Some people are more sensitive to sudden changes than others.

I know a lass who was vegan for years but lapsed one week and ate masses of cheese and felt fine. I know a bloke who used toothpaste with a little bit of milk protein in it, and his nose ran for a week.

[nancyveg4health]

I gradually took my whole family vegan many years ago and had a very hard time trying to find enough things to eat, so I scoured cookbooks and gradually accumulated a pretty good repertoire of recipes and menus. I offer them free at my web site, Veg4Health,so you might want to stop by and especially look at the 10 weeks of menus, with recipes. It definitely helps to have a guideline. Good luck and don't give up!

[Ava Odoéména]

I'm all for a sudden change, did that myself. It doesn't kill you, but not changing *now* into the vegan diet surely kills others.

I also don't think "weaning off" or skepticism about going "cold turkey" (interesting terminologies) should be supported on a vegan forum, when you do that, you're donating the lives of others.

A sudden change should always be supported first and foremost. Even if someone would develop e.g. digestion troubles, it's very easy to take responsibility for that, but how do you take responsibility for a murdered animal person?

[tempehmomma]

I'm all for a sudden change, did that myself. It doesn't kill you, but not changing *now* into the vegan diet surely kills others.

I also don't think "weaning off" or skepticism about going "cold turkey" (interesting terminologies) should be supported on a vegan forum, when you do that, you're donating the lives of others.

Interesting terminology? It's a figure of speak. You as an individual don't have to support it, however I am not an anti-human vegan who believes that one living creature, a human, should *possibly* risk suffering, becoming physically ill, for the benefit of another living creature, animal person. I don't think animals shouldn't unecessarily suffer for human benefit and visa versa.

A sudden change should always be supported first and foremost. Even if someone would develop e.g. digestion troubles, it's very easy to take responsibility for that, but how do you take responsibility for a murdered animal person?

*Should* statements should with begin *I think*.

I don't think a thread discussion on a vegan forum is the appropriate place to point out that most ethical vegans benefit from animal suffering and are in no moral position to judge anyone. I welcome any ethical vegan to PM me to discuss this issue.

[Hiking Fox]

I'm all for a sudden change, did that myself. It doesn't kill you, but not changing *now* into the vegan diet surely kills others.

Even if someone would develop e.g. digestion troubles, it's very easy to take responsibility for that, but how do you take responsibility for a murdered animal person?

Many people find it too difficult to cope with sudden changes. I'd rather they changed gradually and enjoyed turning vegan than do it suddendly, feel unhappy and ill, then give up being vegan and continue to eat animals for the rest of their lives.

I know people who have gone vegan too quickly and then given up on it, saying, 'I tried a vegan diet. it didn't work for me. I got ill. I obviously need to eat meat/milk etc.'

Surely it is better to be patient and understanding in the short term if it yields ethical results in the long term?

[XkillerX]

it all depends of the person. if i would have the support and info, oh no i wouldnt have wasted years being fakeatarian. actually once i got my shit together i went vegan in a snap and never looked back!

with the right help, knowledge and self confidence anybody can change the tide and stick to it! (......IF they want to go vegan in the first place....)