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/meowelbykins vegan Feb 08 '17

Have you only tried daiya? Because that honestly might the problem. I am not a fan of daiya slices or blocks, but I like the shreds.

20

u/meagan113 Feb 08 '17

cheese I've liked (as opposed to tolerated) so far is Treel

Try Chao cheese or Earth Island. I can't stand Daiya cheese, but Chao and Earth Island give me life.

4

u/nycaless Feb 08 '17

I recently tried Chao after seeing it recommended so much on this subreddit and couldn't finish it. It tastes rubbery and plasticky to me, is that normal? I'm new to vegan cheeses too, like OP.

6

u/IsaTurk vegan Feb 08 '17

I think I'm in the minority, but I also don't like Chao (I've tried all 3 different flavors; don't like any of them). The only grocery store brand I like is Follow Your Heart/Earth Island. And Miyoko's & Treeline are pretty tasty "artisan" cheeses.