Thinking of becoming a vegan.....

[Jennyfur01]

Hi everyone :) I'm thinking about becoming a vegan.......and I was hoping someone could tell me what differences they've experienced since becoming one? Have you noticed changes in your body, alertness, etc?

Thanks in advance for any replies :) Feel free to email me as well if you'd rather do that.......... jennyfur2001@lycos.com

[Sylver]

Hi there! For me the changes have all been good. The first difference I noticed was that my nails were much stronger. I also feel lighter (not weight) and happy, which I think is because I don't feel the guilt anymore from eating the poor animal. I feel better knowing I'm not contributing to the slaughter of animals. I am also generally more energized, but I do still have those lazy days! I'm not feeling sluggish anymore. I can't think of any other changes that has happened to my body at the moment.
There was (for me) added stress from other people who don't understand, or think that I'm doing something wrong etc. but, as long as you are knowledgeable about what you are doing they will understand what you are all about. Of course they need some time to come around too. I still occasionally get teased by my brother about it, but he likes to bug me. I just ignore him! LOL! Either way, it's worth any stress or trouble, especially if it makes you happy! :) I hope this helps! Take care.

[Erin Pavlina]

In 1997 I went from vegetarian to vegan and the physical changes I experienced were tremendous. Here is a list:

1. Triglycerides went down from 390 to 144.
2. HDL's went up from 21 to 71.
3. My nails got stronger.
4. 90% of my allergies disappeared.
5. My carpal tunnel syndrome went away completely.
6. All my stomach troubles that required antacids daily went away.
7. I lost 20 pounds really quickly without dieting.
8. My energy increased, and I feel that my mental clarity also increased.

Do it and see how it effects you. You can always go back to eating the way you were before if you don't like the results.

[Emily]

I used to be tired all the time and I'm not anymore.

I get zits and pimples less often, my skin is much clearer.

I have a lot more energy to do physical things.

I experiences some negative side-effects for a very short period of time because I became vegan cold turkey. These lasted only 2 weeks so if you don't notice improvements right away don't be discouraged. I noticed improvements after the 2 weeks.

Emily

[CarlaJ]

I've been vegan for about a month and a half now (l/o for 6 yrs). I'm 22 right now (I know not really a teen :rolleyes: )

My case might be a little different though, because the day I "went" vegan, I also quit smoking, quit caffine, and quit refined sugar. It sickens me to think of all that crap I was putting in my body. I'm glad I decided to do all this while I'm young.

Okay, this is all fresh in my mind. The first 3 or 4 days, my appetite was almost gone! I would eat a few bites of very yummy things and feel an overwhelming fullness. I was kinda hoping that's how it'd stay, but it didn't hehe.

My stomach hurt some also.

A week or so later, I was back to my "old" self except with more energy. I used to have a LOT of trouble staying awake at work during certain times of the day. Now, nada. Full of energy all day.

Now, I feel like my skin has changed. I still break out once in a while, but my skin feels fuller and softer. My lips look puffier and my cheeks as well. It might be my imagination.

[karma8400]

hey everyone! im thinking about becomeing a vegetarian but it seems that it might be a lot less convintent. i don't mind the comments by my friends, i already endure them when i order a fruit and yogurt parfait at mcdonalds instead of a big n' tasty. for now, i don't eat meat on the first and middle of every monthe for religious reasons but i really want to do it full time now. if i do decide to do it, i would have to shop and cook for myself because my mom thinks im just being difficult. pleasee give me your opinion...anyone.

[duckie1978]

The best thing I found about becoming vegetarian in HS was that I lost weight without dieting. That was really cool because I had gained a lot because my family is a "meat & potatoes" family. We ate lots of fried foods and cheap (fatty) meats. When I started to realize the amount of negative things (residual pesticides, hormones, antibotics and other animals) that were being fed to "feed" animals, I was cemented in my desire to never eat an animal again. I also never had trouble with acne like all of my friends. I had so much energy and even more so when I became vegan.
When I became a vegan in college, I lost more weight because I had substituted dairy for meat (protiens) and it was just was fattening. I also felt mentally "clear" for the first time and it was great. For me, it wasn't about physical benefits but spiritual (not religious) benefits. I began to realize how important life was for everyone, not just humans. The "big picture" got more important to me.

To Karma8400: Keep talking to your parents about going meatless, answer every question they have, bring them info on health benefits, and go slowly. My parents REFUSED to help me when I became a vegetarian. I was stubborn and kept insisting that I would be okay and read alot about the health benefits and kept talking to her about how badly the animals were treated. When she realized how seriously I was taking it, she started to come around and bought some cookbooks and tofu for me and my twin who converted shortly after I did.
I compromised with my parents and eliminated red meat and pork first, then after a while, when I learned more about getting protien and nutrients, I cut out all meat completely. After a year or so I gave up eggs and dairy and haven't looked back. I found that I stuck with the lifestyle better because I took it slowly. Several other of kids in my HS became vegetarian because it was "cool" but after realizing how difficult it was bailed on the lifestyle. They weren't really commited to it, they just thought it would be cool.
Also, going to shop with her isn't a bad thing! You can find new produce to try, price shop for meatless alternatives, even show her the nutrition labels for veggie foods-low in cholesterol, usually low fat, less refined flours & sugars, fewer to no preservatives. Maybe it will help her see how healthy a meatless diet is. (You can also find a lot of non-veggie sources that will tell her how great a little to no meat and lots of produce and whole grains diet is if your mom is suspicious of a veggie group. Just keep talking with your parents about the switch.

[felicia]

Go to peta2.com and watch "SAVE ME" and "MEET YOUR MEAT"
i have been vegan for about 7 months now (and am absolutely loving it by the way!). i already knew that very horrible things happen in the factory farms but i really wanted to show these videos to my younger brother(13) and sister(14).
The next day they told me that they dont want to eat meat and hurt the animals. It was a dream come true for me! i mean my little brother was one of those who would tease me and stick meat in my face or call me a tree hugging hippie! UNfortunately, the next day my little sister said that she didn't want to be a vegan, and i am very disappointed in her but it's not a big surprise cuz she and her friends are all potheads with bad attitudes. i am still totally happy that my little brother now understands what REALLY goes on at the factory farms (it made me cry several times) he now knows that the flesh from a horrified and tortured animal is NOT "food"!

p.s.if you look up the word FOOD in the dictionary, one of the meanings says "anything that NOURISHES" in which case animal products do anything but!

[jazz_pianist]

I switched to vegan cold turkey 2 days ago, and I did get slight stomach aches, but on a normal day before the switch, my day of eating could look like this:
breakfast-decent sized breakfast
snack
lunch-lots of grazing
snack
big dinner

and just today I had 4 glasses of water, two glasses of fresh fruit juice, a tofu dog, and vegetable soup, which is a lot less, and I am just as full. I feel great, awake, and I feel more happy. I think this is great, and by the by, to all the other vegans, the carrots your eating strengthen your nails.
talk to you later
-Bryan

[sarahrose]

I've been vegetarian my whole life, and vegan about half that. I have always been one of those healthy people who never get sick, never have a problem with excess weight, no skin problems. When I cut out dairy, I had much more energy, got better grades, and was generally happier (probably the clear concience). I realize that people don't know they feel bad until they actually feel good. I have known people who gave up meat and dairy who then realized that they had felt sick, sluggish and tired, but had never realized it because they had never experienced life without those things. One person I know suffered from severe acid reflux, which would make him take tums all day every day. He would go through a huge costco pack of them twice a month. When he went vegan, his acid reflux dissapeared. There is this giant bottle of tums in his cabinet that is at the same level that it was at last year when he went vegan. He saves it a a souveneire now!

[Sublimeveg]

My boyfriend went vegan from being vegetarian when i did, and he lost 20lbs! in like 2 months, i also lost a considerable amount of weight but i had just had a baby so.... the weight loss might not have been due to my veganism. He was slightly overweight and looks fantastic now!!! Just do a little reasearch on nutrition first!

[mgoff]

I am the mother of an "almost teen". Our family is vegetarian and heading to veganism quite quickly. My daughter was having problems with acne and slight weight gain, but when we dropped dairy products both of those problems went with it. I also have a nine year old son who was considered obese before we became veggies. He has lost a considerable amount of weight and is almost into the healthy range for his age and height. The only things that keep my family out of the vegan category are honey and the occaisional white burger bun I allow for the boccas. All of us are in much better health and improving daily. I also agree with the earlier comment about people not realizing they feel bad until they feel good.

[Lulu]

Originally posted by ihatehippiesandvegan
think again.




or just kill yourself while you can

I think your response is uncalled for. This is supposed to be a supportive environment.

[Christa]

All of the posts by that "member" are rude and inflammatory. I find it especially cowardly that s/he chose only to post on the vegan teen segment of this board. Apparently that member is too afraid to be that rude to adults, but sees no problem with harrassing teenagers.

I have reported the posts and expect that they will be removed shortly.