Veganism - How to Live like a Vegan

What can Vegans Eat? 

Milk, eggs and fish however, were another thing as I had little knowledge of what vegans can eat. I and vegetarian friends of mine felt that taking such "crucial ingredients" from our diets would limit food options to a head of lettuce and a carrot or two. Little did we know that there were vast amounts of new and replacement foods which our taste buds had yet to experience.

Being vegan offers the opportunity to expand your culinary choices, but you don't need to if you prefer not to. A meat eater could still have their (faux) meat and 3 veg. every night without the guilt or immorality associated with an actual meat based diet or you can eat some vegan recipes which can be found at Gourmandia.

Food Product Substitutes 

There are many alternatives to "used to" or substitute products. Although most of them won't actually taste exactly the same as the real product, over time you do find many substitutes that you will thoroughly enjoy. Often just changing brands makes a big difference in taste.

Most of the day to day ingredients that we consumed as meat eaters have a veggie substitute, be it the vitamins found in vegetables and nuts, or faux cheeses and meats. Milk on cereals, in coffee, tea, breakfast and cooking is easily replaced with the many non-dairy types that can be found at health stores such as rice, oat and soya milks. There are egg, meat and cheese substitutes which ensure no traditional home-cooked meal need be missed.

Important Foods for Vegans 

As a vegan you will need to consume certain foods to ensure optimal health. It is recommended that vegans consume in a day: 6-11 servings of grains, 2 servings of fruit, 3 or more servings of vegetables, 2-3 servings of beans or bean alternatives, 6-8 servings of fortified soya milk or alternatives, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

This can however, be a little time consuming and one might want to use this just as a guide. It is essential though to ensure that you do have enough protein, calcium, iron and vitamin B12 in your diet. It is best to gain these nutrients from food itself, however, there are also vitamin supplements available at most health stores.

Staying the Course 

Whatever your personal reasons for becoming a vegan, we'd like to thank you for making the right choice. Making the transition can appear daunting to some people but do not despair; you are not alone. There are more like-minded vegans in South Africa than you might imagine, and our numbers grow as more people become aware of the benefits of being vegan.

Source: EzineArticles