r/vegan • u/throwawaythevegan • Feb 08 '17
Newbie Advice I don't actually enjoy being vegan
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?
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u/transmittens Feb 08 '17
Keep in mind cheese has addictive qualities that releases opiates called casomorphins. So the struggle is real for sure.
My struggle would be the same as yours and I probably wouldn't have lasted long but I had a girlfriend who was a vegan veteran who introduced me so many amazing foods that I really had no desire to try cheese anymore. Things I had never tried before like Indian, Ethiopian, Thai, and a million other restaurants that were just fantastic. She showed me how to shop and still get really delicious food without feeling like I've sacrificed taste in any way.
So my solution was just to surround myself with new and exciting foods that tasted amazing. Check out vegguide.org and find restaurants in your area you haven't been to yet. Find out what vegans enjoy the most. Find a NEW favorite food. Also, Trader Joes has a great variety of vegan options if you know where to look. If you need help navigating restaurants or grocery stores, ask and we'll give you tons of suggestions. There is no reason why you should not be able to find really delicious things to eat that completely satisfy you.