AIBU to be a teetotal vegan? (Light-hearted!)

[Cheesyblasters]

After initially developing a bit of a wine o'clock habit while WFH in the first lockdown, I knocked booze on the head for a bit. And then for a bit more. I also read some books about 'Big alcohol' and alcohol advertising. After that when I tried drinking again it was a bit of a let down! I started to realise how much of it was marketing and that the reality (for me at least, and possibly linked to age) is that the idea of drinking is much nicer than the reality. It doesn't make me giggly like it used to in my twenties, it makes me a bit foggy and a bit grouchy and even small amounts result in a rubbish nights sleep. So I've gradually got used to being one of those mystical mumsnetters who might have a glass once or twice a year. I'm not saying I'll never go back if I want to, but I can't see me wanting to anytime soon.

After over indulging on food from about November onwards (extended lockdown Christmas!) I wanted to change up my cooking a bit and decided to give veganuary a go. I thought it would be a good way to shake off the quality street habit and learn some new recipes at the same time. I was expecting it to be quite a challenge.

Three weeks in and... I'm pleasantly surprised. After initially trying a few too many substitutes lv settled in to eating loads of veg, with pulses, pasta, rice etc, as well as making treats like brownies. I've lost a bit of weight without trying, I've started to develop a taste for dark chocolate, I'm spending less at the supermarket. Oh and with the endless lockdown walks I no longer feel guilty walking past all the cows and sheep in the nearby fields.

Have I lost the plot in lockdown? Am I going to have to start yoga, or writing a well-being blog? I feel like I need some vices to balance this out or I'll slowly collapse into a black hole of smug. Im not sure I can adjust if this becomes my new identity. I'm a firm believer in a little bit of what you fancy does you good. Maybe I need a middle class crack habit, or to find myself a weird sex kink. If I ever met my ghost of teenage self like this I don't think I could look her in the eye.

Anyone else inadvertently reinventing themselves in lockdown? Also will I ever get invited to dinner parties again (when they exist!)

I could have written your post, however I still smoke (not suggesting you take it up 😂).
Can still eat copious amounts of crisps and drink soy milkshakes if that makes you feel better. Or strong espresso?

I’m almost teetotal (alcohol gives me migraines ) and vegan for many years.

I think to balance out the healthy living what you need is to discover vegan junk food. Where do you live? I’m in London and can’t wait till all the food markets reopen

I’ve done similar over the past few years OP. I quit drinking a few years ago, then I quit caffeine, then stopped eating meat (although I’ve never managed to go vegan) but one thing that I cannot quit is sugar. I could eat loads of it. I try and balance it out by also eating at least 10 portions of fruit and veg a day. I don’t understand how people can give up every single vice, I need something ‘bad’ to get me through the day!

@coldemortReturns that's a good point about crisps. Im thinking nachos with homemade guacamole tonight actually! I do miss smoking from time to time but that is another thing I can romanticise but not enjoy if offered!

@PBJelly post lockdown there's some vegan restaurants and junk food places in my nearest city which is about twenty miles away. Easy enough for a train ride, though not that local. I live in a small northern town but the pubs and restaurants round here are quite good for vegan options. And there's some local Gujarati restaurants that have great vegan selections. I just don't seem to overeat in the same way if food isn't smothered in cheese (and I'm not sure vegan cheese is for me - maybe because I can still remember what dairy cheese tastes like)

@GoryGilmore I share the sugar addiction certainly. I don't think it's as powerful without dairy though. I could eat endless bars of Cadbury or tubs of ice cream before, I have settled on a couple of subs (magnum vegan almond mainly!) But while I like them I don't find them as moreish which is a good thing!

@Cheesyblasters if you’re not sure about vegan cheese I would recommend I Am Nut Ok or Mouse’s Favourite. Both do online - might be a bit low on stock at the moment as they sold out of a lot over Xmas. But the best vegan cheeses. They don’t taste ‘fake’ or ‘plasticky’ like some can as they’re both made from fairly simple ingredients.

If you love sugar then Jammy Dodgers are vegan. Aldi just may also do the most amazing vegan double choc chip cookies. #justsaying

@Cheesyblasters it’s interesting that it’s had that effect on you, I might give veganism another try because if it lessens my sugar addiction it would be an added bonus.

Good to see you back on here @ColdemortReturns, I remember your threads!

Haha maybe my weight loss will be temporary then . My local Aldi doesn't seem to have many of the veganuary launches I've heard about (they have the freezer plant menu goods but not a lot else) I do like their mint dark chocolate though. I have a reasonable idea of what things are accidentally vegan as I was veggie when I was younger and in the habit of checking labels (back when the veggie symbol was rare, let alone a vegan symbol!)

@PBJelly the Nut Ok foods look amazing, but does it really have such a short shelf life? I'm not sure I can justify £5-7 on cheese or butter that has to be eaten within 5 days!

I found this post spot on - after lockdown 1 I finally acknowledged that I had a serious alcohol problem - I'm currently writing an article about alcohol advertising! Sadly still eat meat but I don't have caffeine and I have managed to stop smoking so perhaps I will have completely reinvented myself by the end of lockdown 11,000 😂

@vangoghing well done! I think lockdown has made my question things I did out of habit, because it was the norm - I mean, I would never have stopped eating out and having a few drinks if the pubs and bars hadn't closed. I don't look down on anyone drinking but I realised for me that without the socialising it was changing from drinking for a laugh to drinking to relax or something to do and I think that's a slippery slope. And the benefit (or lack of) had changed and I hadn't noticed. I do think marketing has taught us that wine is our guilty pleasure and best friend and I really don't think it is!

I don't need wine to de-stress now, I don't get as stressed because I'm not short of sleep! I do need chocolate still though, I'm fine with that, but dark chocolate is scratching the itch. And the brownies!

So pleased you have taken up veganism! I did it about 5 years ago and I feel SO much better for it. I used to regularly get sinusitis and chest infections and I haven't once since.

Also quit alcohol after my drinking got out of control during the first lockdown. Then found I went off meat, although I do still eat some fish. I've switched to vegan butter and milk and have have some vegan smoked cheese I've not tried yet. I've been so pleasantly surprised by how many lovely AF free drinks there are now and meat free/dairy free substitutes. My absolute favourite find is the squeaky bean pastrami, so so good!

Oh, and my ibs has vanished since quitting booze and making the above dietary changes!

I sort of get this (although I'm not vegan) but over the last two years I have given up sugar , I don't drink(because I just don't feel like it...never say never and I'm not averse to it but like you I can't be bothered with the after effects). I was strict keto , now low carb so I eat pretty much no processed food. Actually I can't think of the last time I did.

I gave up smoking 4 years ago now.

Frankly I am far more edgy than this. , I am rather embarrassed. I really need to find a vice (in my case I really don't have the belief in veganism so for me meat is not a vice ....not a kick to you ....I think it's a huge achievement if that's the way you choose to go).

So yeah ,no smoking , no chocolate , no alcohol and no processed foods all by choice. How did I turn into this? Maybe I should rob a bank to claim back some edginess !

I am , I didn't do it all in one go . I became vege then vegan , somewhere in the middle I gave up booze. I was worried on the effects of alcohol on my brain and I can't deal with what the works does to animals so this drives me . Good luck

I’m a virtually tee total vegan and love it! I am a lifelong veggie but went vegan a couple of years ago through the sheer frustration of doctors dismissing my digestive issues & my symptoms cleared up almost overnight!

Booze is like petrol on my perimenopause symptoms so have almost completely stopped!

I feel so much better generally!!

Well my edginess in my younger days did extend to some protesting and animal rights stuff, that was when I was veggie (in the 90s when that was still a bit extreme)
@Shinyletsbebadguys I'm with you on the bank robbing, if we can go for one of the big 4? Nice bit of anti establishment-ism would be good!

@hazelnutmochi it hadn't occurred to me that I had a need for vegan pastrami, but now I do! I've not seen the brand though, where stocks it?

Also I'm very reassured to know I'm in good company. I hope when the festivals are back up and running I can go dancing like the crusty hippie I'm now aspiring to be

Vegan and drink alcohol now and again but still buy a slack handful of those G&T cans at Aldi when I'm there. Never been interested in wine, I prefer lager and my favourite Stella Artois is vegan too. Also like a drop of sherry at Christmas (I rang the manufacturer to check if it was vegan and they told me it was).

@Cheesyblasters, I get it from Tesco. They do other stuff too but it's all about the pastrami here at the moment.

[quote GoryGilmore]@Cheesyblasters it’s interesting that it’s had that effect on you, I might give veganism another try because if it lessens my sugar addiction it would be an added bonus.

Good to see you back on here @ColdemortReturns, I remember your threads![/quote]
Thanks @GoryGilmore I've only just seen this
And sshhhhhh I'm not supposed to be here backs out of the room slowly