Earthlings and Forks over Knives... i am now on the path to becoming vegan! How did you make the transition?

[juicychops]

Never in a million years did i think i would ever want to do such as thing as give up meat but after a few months of research i am now on day 17 of no meat from land animals. Im still eating fish, eggs and dairy as i will fail if i try to do it all at once so baby steps in the right direction.

I watched Earthlings yesterday and can safely say i will NEVER be going back to eating meat. lots of tears were involved, it was awful, and there is a part in particular that has been branded into my brain that i don't think i will forget as long as i live.

So today i have watched Forks over Knives and it has confirmed why i am wanting to make this life change.

Im going to try and phase out the fish, dairy and eggs by the end of the year and hopefully start the new year a vegan!

How did you all make the transition? did you do it slowly like im planning to or did you just go cold turkey?

Well done you, it's difficult to change life long habits but you'll find that soon enough your 'normal' changes.

I went from vegetarian - gave up dairy for a bit then stopped eating all other animal products shortly afterwards. First few months were a little difficult adjusting to my new diet, not so much for not eating what I used to (had no desire to eat any animal products after learning about the suffering involved in producing them) but it was frustrating no longer having an easy go-to dinner, or having to think a bit harder about dinner out with friends, etc. But, a year on, it's so easy and I can't imagine it being any other way.

My advice would be to try lots of new recipes, not just substituting a meat burger for a veg burger, etc. Keep it interesting and make sure you're getting all the right nutrients - If you feel great you'll be more encouraged during any fed up moments as you transition. And always, always keep up with the research. Good luck!

We made the commitment to going vegan after seeing Forks Over Knives and What the Health.

I gave all of our meat in the freezer to a friend and we just started with our next grocery shop. Currently on our second week!

I went dairy free five years ago as an experiment (I was a massive dairy eater). I lost two stone in three months without even trying. Then I met my boyfriend who is vegetarian and decided to drop meat too. Now I'm completely vegan after watching Earthlings and What The Health although I think it just gave me a push in the direction I always wanted to go in.

I agree with Mother to experiment with recipes. Substitutions are great but there is so much flavoursome vegan food out there in the shape of curries, chills, soups, etc. Don't forget beans and legumes. Lots and lots of veg will always fill you up. I now have overnight oats every morning, always have some sort of vegan soup in the fridge, and frozen bananas in the freezer for quick "nice cream". I find that by being prepared I am less likely to a) fall off the wagon, or b) eat unhealthily.

Good luck!

Is earthlings health-based or is it about the farming industry? Already vegan but can't handle the videos that show animal abuse, though we made the switch for health reasons and I'm always looking for more info.

pumpkin - it's about all aspects of animal welfare - circuses, food industry, entertainment, fashion etc but is VERY graphic. Put it this way; I watched 6 mins if Earthlings and want vegan instantly! I couldn't watch more, even the advert traumatised me.

thanks for your replies everyone, all very much appreciated!

I am still meat free and loving it. I am also doing my best to cut out fish now too and have stopped buying milk, although im not at the stage yet of cutting out all milk products (baby steps)

im still eating eggs too, but am opting for organic where possible so that they are from chickens with much better living conditions and haven't had their beaks cut down.

Im really enjoying it so far, although i need to keep better track of whether im getting my full nutrients as im still eating a lot of crap food. defo need to start cutting that all out

overnight oats sounds like something i should try

I'm not a 'proper' vegan" I don't have any cows milk or products, there are very good milk substitutes now, I like org. almond milk and soya milk best (that is brilliant for cappuccinos because it froths up better than dairy does! ) I do sometimes have some organic goats cheese.

Living between London and France, is useful because the supplements are better in England. The organic fresh veg and fruit is much better in Fr. Our local org producers are lovely, You can see the way their chickens are treated ! very kindly. So I have an egg occasionally. There is a nice book by Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall called Veg Every day for good recipes to start you off.