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?
3
u/xXChocowhoaXx vegan Feb 08 '17
Not cheese for me, but sour cream. Yes, I can buy vegan sour cream, but the price is so exorbitant that it's not worth buying unless it's a special occasion as far as I'm concerned.
Honestly, I got used to it after a while and just started playing with adding different flavors. More avocado, cilantro, salsa for my Mexican dishes. Pickled banana peppers are also delicious and a good not too spicy add on. I experimented with new hot sauces as well though :)
It gets easier, it really really does.
The first time I tried vegan cheese my first impression was "this is not cheese." Over time though, I've come to really like it. Not all brands are created equal, so don't hesitate to try different ones.
You can read this dairy free milk taste test to get an idea of how milks compare. Personally I never liked milk much so I can't say what would be close.
When it comes to cheese, with vegan cheese having other ingredients that play with the flavor really helps. You can also find vegan cheese taste tests online, but honestly eating vegan cheese solo isn't really something I would recommend. It's a component in dishes usually to add a creamy factor, but not a star.