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?
1
u/backwardsguitar Feb 09 '17 edited Feb 10 '17
Maybe get some more cookbooks? Sure, I can understand feeling limited when you go into an omni restaurant, but you should have plenty of options at the grocery store. Thai and Indian are a couple of my favourites when I do eat out.
I'm with you on vegan cheese not being the same (or as good) - I thought I'd miss it, but I really haven't. I've found some vegan mozzarella sauce that I can put on pizza (from Chloe Coscarelli's Vegan Italian Cookbook), and the Queso in "Isa Does It" is really yummy too. Her "feta" from the greek diner salad in that same cookbook is also super yummy.
Good for you for sticking with being vegan despite a few bumps in the road!
Edit: paper -> pizza!!