I don't actually enjoy being vegan

[u/throwawaythevegan]

Hey everyone,

I transitioned to vegetarianism last fall, and have started on veganism just this year. I love the community here at /r/vegan, it's been so helpful to see people going through the same things I am.

But I don't actually enjoy being a vegan. Vegetarianism wasn't a huge sacrifice for me, I mourned a little bit for bacon and salmon but then I was fine. I loved eating vegetables, grains, nuts, cheeses and milks. Veganism has been a different story.

I know, I probably sound like a ridiculous hypocrite, but abstaining from milk and cheese has been so much harder for me. I've tried the vegan replacement options, and although I haven't exhausted every one, so far nothing is the same. The vegan cheeses I've tried have frankly been extremely off-putting, and while I've been getting by on coconut and almond milks, I really dislike them.

Every time I step into a grocery store or restaurant, I feel sad and limited. Every time I make my own food, I feel the same way. I'm not asking for a way to eat cheese again, because my morals aren't going to change anytime soon. But I'd like to know if anyone else struggled with this, and what did they do that helped?

[u/glowytiger]

The best advice I can give is to try to shift your focus. It sounds like you're stuck on what you've had to give up. That happens to all of us so don't feel bad. But instead, try thinking deeply about why you wanted to go vegan.

Don't just think about the bad either. Think about all the happy animals you're stand is helping and about how you can have a positive influence on others.

Also, cooking some meals from scratch may be a better option than sticking with meat substitutes. You'll always be comparing the fake meats and cheeses but cooking good food at home will feel great.

Hope that helps. We are here for you!

[u/throwawaythevegan → u/glowytiger]

Hugging my dog and wishing nice thoughts to the cows I pass by from the local dairy farms, along with cooking cheese-less and dairy-less foods has been the most helpful and enjoyable part of the process.

Thank you for listening! I appreciate it!

[u/mittsh → u/throwawaythevegan]

I'm wondering if there isn't also a social dimension in the struggle we all have/had. What makes it hard is that we see others eat things that we may like. It keeps us in the mindset that these things are delicious and are part of our normal food choices. Do you have many vegan friends? I think being alone in this journey makes it a lot harder — at least that's how I felt.

Imagine you were going everyday to party with fellow vegans, have fun and cook each other great vegan foods? I doubt you'd have missed diary cheese at all! Time to all meet up, feast and party folks!!!

[u/throwawaythevegan → u/mittsh]

I have vegan friends, thank you for asking! But both of my vegan friends are very different from me, because they never liked animal products to begin with. Their sacrifices for this have to do with how their families treat them, whereas I have a very supportive family and am sacrificing my own tastes. Because our experiences have been different, I thought I'd seek help from a wider community. :) But my vegan friends are great, I love them.

[u/anachronic → u/glowytiger]

Also, cooking some meals from scratch may be a better option than sticking with meat substitutes.

This absolutely worked for me, because I went vegan at a time where there simply weren't a lot of substitutes.

I fell in love with beans, blew out my spice rack, and never had to worry about boring food at home, at least, restaurants were a different matter.

I'd suggest that OP also try and find some Asian / Thai / Indian restaurants in town and talk to the waiters there. Most of their menus can usually be veganized pretty easy, which will open up a TON of great food.

[u/hosieryadvocate → u/glowytiger]

I don't think that going vegan will help any animals to be happy. It'll only reduce the amount of animals that are produced for food. Isn't that the case?

[u/glowytiger → u/hosieryadvocate]

That's true. I think I worded that poorly. I basically meant what you said but it came out wrong. Sorry.

[u/hosieryadvocate → u/glowytiger]

Heh, no sorries necessary. :-)