Being a vegetarian on-and-off for years, and now deciding to go on this vegan diet has opened my eyes to people making me feel that my choice in diet is 'bad.' I get questions like "What do you eat? What about protein? (which is a huge mystery for some people for some reason), Do you just eat salad?," and comments like "Sorry if I am offending you by eating this hamburger, I like bacon too much, and don't you miss drinking milk/eating cheese?" The fact is I am not trying to make anyone try my choice of eating if they do not want to, but why are most people close-minded when it comes to the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle, and why is it a mystery to most?
Being a vegetarian and vegan is easier than most people think. What most people do not realize is vegetarian/vegan or not, your diet should consist of mostly fruits and vegetables, and smaller portions of protein. In reality most Americans eat huge portions of protein, and frown upon their veggies.... but why? I think the convenience of processed foods and fast foods has made a lot of people's taste buds go for the more salty/sugary choices over vegetables. No, I am not perfect and I have eaten this junk food on very rare occasions. Most people do not realize what they are doing to their bodies by eating this junk food until it is too late. I am not saying that everyone should be a vegetarian/vegan, I am trying to say to eat real and be mindful of what you are putting into your body.
Being a vegan is easier than ever with the internet and tons of recipes for a balanced meals. So what do I eat you ask? Any kind of vegetable, fruit, and bean that exsists. There's actually more vegetable, fruit, and bean choices out there than meats. Generally people have a false assumption that being a vegan/vegetarian is bad, when it is actually one of the healthiest diets out there if you do it right. If you are deciding to go vegetarian/vegan, do not eat a lot of those pre-packaged vegetarian fake hamburgers and meats, those are still processed food. It is very possible to eat a balanced meal without having to eat meat, or having dairy. Humans are the only species to drink milk after infancy, and the milk is from another species! I am lactose-intollent and cannot remember the last time I drank milk, I was probably a young kid. And no I do not miss cheese, I have realized that food is actually more flavorful when it's not smothered in cheese, and I do not get a tummy ache after! It's only been 3 days since I started my vegan diet, but I feel more energized, happier, and don't even miss eating junk food.
Meateaters: No you're not offending me by eating your hamburger, I don't care about your love for bacon, and I don't miss dairy. Sorry if I offend you for eating these veggies.... :)
~aB
The Short Vegan
