Going Vegan
This past week, I finally made the jump and decided to change my diet to a vegan one. I thought I'd write a bit about it.
First of all, why vegan? I've been vegetarian at multiple points in the past, and I always looked back on that time fondly. I simply feel better when I'm not eating meat, and I wanted to take it a step further and include dairy in that. I have mild lactose intolerance, and I deal with acid reflux quite often. Veganism has completely eliminated both of those issues from my life. I haven't had acid reflux since I started eating vegan, and no dairy means no discomfort brought on by lactose.
I want to do it for environmental reasons as well. Of course, I understand that veganism is not an easy choice for everyone. This world does not make it easy to be vegan, and there are a lot of factors, including financial ones, that make it impossible for some people to take on that kind of lifestyle. I want to make it clear that I don't fault anyone for that. I don't think I'm a better person than anyone else for being vegan. I do believe that if it's possible, however, cutting back on the consumption of animal products is beneficial to the environment. I believe humans, particularly in richer countries, have moved past the need for animal products. The simple fact that so many people are successful with a plant-based diet is proof of that.
So, what have I been eating then? I'm honestly having a blast finding vegan recipes and cooking with ingredients that I didn't use much in the past, such as tofu. I've become a huge tofu lover, especially when it's breaded and baked to be crispy on the outside. One of my favorite quick and easy meals is garlic sesame tofu with white rice, shown below.
I'm also amazed at how easy it's been to find vegan options at restaurants. I've had far less trouble than I thought I would, even here in the US where a meat-based diet reigns supreme. Some fast food places like Burger King, Taco Bell, and Chipotle offer vegan items, and I've found so many local restaurants offering vegan options as well. Some of my favorite local spots are really accommodating when it comes to a vegan diet. Shown below: fried avocado tacos and Mexican street corn from one of my favorite places.
I haven't been perfect; I've made mistakes. The other day, I picked up Danny's matcha latte without thinking to take a sip, and it was made using whole milk. I've also had days when I've been hit with cravings. I wanted a bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast biscuit so badly one day that I almost caved and got one. Ultimately, though, I'm happy with my decision. I know how much better it makes me feel, physically and mentally, and I want to continue on this journey for as long as possible.
Are there any downsides? The biggest downside is that I can't eat some of Danny's cooking, or my mom's. Danny is not choosing to be vegan at this point in time, partly because he's a professional chef who works with meat on a daily basis. The meat-based meals he has cooked for us in the past, such as pork belly with risotto, have been some of my favorite experiences with food, and I feel bad sometimes that I'll be missing out on some of his cooking. That being said, he has been experimenting with cooking vegan meals at home and cutting back on his meat consumption a bit as well, which has been great! He made the most delicious vegan chili the other day. I'm seriously still dreaming about it.
Of course I'll miss some of the meat-based dishes I've had in the past; I can't avoid that. But I think about how much better I feel since I've started eating vegan, and it's all worth it. I keep going back to that statement, that it makes me feel better, because that's such a tangible and appreciated benefit for me. It really has had such a positive effect on my physical and mental well-being.
What do you think about veganism or vegetarianism? Do you follow a plant-based diet, either partially or fully? Let me know in the guestbook!