Positive (side) effects of going vegan

[cobweb]

The chef at work now puts a vegan option on the menu several times a week. There are four options on the menu, so about a quater of the company are eating vegan without even knowing it.

:thumbsup: great :)

[m00se]

One unexpected result of becoming vegan is that it has made me reevaluate almost every aspect of my life. I am realizing that so many things I do are just out of habit, and I previously had never sat down and thought about them. I am trying to make positive changes in all aspects of life, and finding that change isn't as scary as everyone thinks it is.

[vegetarian_cat]

It's turned me into a chef !!!
I'm learning to bake and cook SO many interesting yummy dishes
and i'm finally learning to use spices too..

Cool

mine from vegetarian to vegan has been a very, very yummy transition :)

[vegetarian_cat]

i think we need to set up a peer-reviewed double-blind experiment to put this one to rest once and for all ...
lol

[Chrilynhawk]

One unexpected result of becoming vegan is that it has made me reevaluate almost every aspect of my life. I am realizing that so many things I do are just out of habit, and I previously had never sat down and thought about them. I am trying to make positive changes in all aspects of life, and finding that change isn't as scary as everyone thinks it is.

First of all, CONGRATS m00se! I've had this same kind of unexpected result in my own life and it's such a great one to have. Even though change can sometimes be scary (many fear the unknown), you're just like me and you're just *doing it*! I've changed so many aspects of my life now that I'm vegan. I'm more eco friendly, I'm nicer to people in general, heck I even clean my house more because I know it makes my husband happy...and what a small thing to need to do to create happiness for another person.

Good luck with your changes! :thumbsup:

[Veggie-HOLIC]

Well I've lost a lot of weight, and I enjoy life more for the most part.

But.....

My parents have cut off contact with me because they have a grudge against vegetarianism/veganism and I've not spoken to them in 4 whole years.

[clementine]

My nails grow really really long and i can paint them any colour i want!! (they used to snap off real easy)

mine too! that's really wierd seeming that we no longer consume milk which has calcium... I guess all the other goodies like veggies and enriched soy products are doing it for us :)

[talknerdytome]

I feel so much more in tune with nature, knowing that everything I eat comes from nature makes me feel really happy.

Also, better digestion, clearer skin and more energy. I haven't had any weight loss, but as I was bordering on underweight before, that's probably a good thing.

[Bartlebee]

Well I've lost a lot of weight, and I enjoy life more for the most part.

But.....

My parents have cut off contact with me because they have a grudge against vegetarianism/veganism and I've not spoken to them in 4 whole years.

Woah thats harsh, sorry I might consider it a bonus :p

I eat healthier, can cook, new foods but no vegan superpowers of yet though :(

[CrunchyMomma]

Angered far less easily for some reason! more mellow temperment.

Other than that... sweating less and less greasy face.

I've only been a vegan for a short time now, but I have noticed the same thing! I am far less moody and I haven't perspired as much.

In general, in just the short time I've transitioned I've noticed tremendous health impacts (all positive!):

-I'm not as lethargic feeling when I first wake up.
-I feel I have more mental clarity. Silly things I used to forget I remember now.
-My Spring allergies are not as bad.
-My lower belly "pooch" has disappeared. My husband actually remarked about this tonight when he hugged me before he went to bed. He wrapped his arms around my waist and said, "your belly is getting so small!"
-No more loose/runny stools.
-No painful gas.
-My nails are growing rapidly and they're not as splitty.
-My hands, which are normally cracked and splitting open, are healing up.
-I'm ovulating right now, which usually gives me terrible cramps, but so far no pain.
-I don't feel abdominal discomfort after a meal.
-I used to have terrible pain in my gallbladder that started when I was pregnant with my son seven years ago. It would give me terrible fits. I haven't had any gallbladder pain since going vegan.
-I feel more aware of my impact on the environment.
-I go right to sleep now. Before I'd have to read or play a DS game before sleep because I'd have trouble falling asleep.
-No more bad headaches, which I used to have frequently.
-I'm drinking more water.

[salatheel]

I think health benefits are to be expected. The unexpected is how much happier,more upbeat,and content I am. It's the emotional/mental aspect that has been such a surprise. I am a totally different person.

[terem]

I think health benefits are to be expected. The unexpected is how much happier,more upbeat,and content I am. It's the emotional/mental aspect that has been such a surprise. I am a totally different person.


I feel I'm more aware of everything now. It pains me to know of all the injustices that go on in the world, however, I am happier that I am doing something that ends part of those injustices and relieves certain beings of suffering.

It does feel really good to know that I'm making even a little bit of an impact in another's life, and I feel more at peace with nature. I appreciate every kind of weather and every field of wild grass more than I did before going vegan. It's nice. :)

[DavidT]

I can eat more. Been a ravenous vegan for maybe eight or nine years now and can't eat enough to put on weight. It's brilliant.

[ambs]

yes, i would say loosing weight was a plus.. but also the fact my mum doesn't eat nearly as much meat as she use to, she loves the vegan meals i cook so i try cook a lot of it so she can have it for dinner. She ain't vego.. but cutting back still makes a difference.

[CrunchyMomma]

I think health benefits are to be expected. The unexpected is how much happier,more upbeat,and content I am. It's the emotional/mental aspect that has been such a surprise.

Same here. I used to be very high-strung, moody, easily stressed. I feel more at peace now. It's difficult to describe. I find myself not feeling as anxious about things in my life as I used to.

[saidsirius]

I was amazed at how quick I dropped a little excess weight and how quickly I stopped craving non-vegan things and junk food in general. Now whenever I get a craving, it's usually for a beautiful salad or a fruit that's only in season in the summer. It's kind of nice to feel so healthy- like I did a major detox and once all the junk got out of my system, it was gone for good.

[saidsirius]

I also didn't realize how in-tune with the world I would feel. I love knowing that I'm making a difference in the world and setting a good example for others to follow if they so choose. I feel more grounded and at peace.

[imblissful]

Yesterday my 2 year old daughter wanted something yummy so I sat her on the counter next to me and made vegan brownies and while I was mixing she was scooping handfuls of batter out of the bowl and eating it up.
Try doing that with non-vegan brownies and you could get salmonella or something else icky.
I bet she ate half the batter, it was so sweet :heart:. What was even funnier is she didn't really want any of the finished product, probably filled up on batter.

[vava]

Yesterday my 2 year old daughter wanted something yummy so I sat her on the counter next to me and made vegan brownies and while I was mixing she was scooping handfuls of batter out of the bowl and eating it up.
Try doing that with non-vegan brownies and you could get salmonella or something else icky.
I bet she ate half the batter, it was so sweet :heart:. What was even funnier is she didn't really want any of the finished product, probably filled up on batter.

heh so sweet..... yummy mummy and baby!:thumbsup:

[DiaShel]

I became a more sensitive and caring person. I used to care about nothing but myself and not only am I sensitive to the pain of suffering of animals now, but of all kinds of things I never gave a second thought. I like myself better now.

[Sarabi]

Unexpected effect... here goes:

Due to my interest in veganism, I became interested in worker justice and visited the campus solidarity committee that workers for worker justice. These are some of the sweetest, most caring people on campus, though mainly to the exclusion of nonhumans (as one of them told me with disinterest in veganism). Anyway, one of them recognized me and ended up finding me relatively cheap housing for the summer just by coming over and having a conversation with me! A very kind person.

So, that's how veganism has affected my life! :p

[kriz]

I became a more sensitive and caring person. I used to care about nothing but myself and not only am I sensitive to the pain of suffering of animals now, but of all kinds of things I never gave a second thought. I like myself better now.

Beautifully said, DiaShel. I feel very much the same about all living things, and the increased compassion for myself is a nice bonus too. It actually goes hand in hand - how can I respect the sanctity of an animal's life if I don't even respect my own.

[Eat Y'self Fitter]

I'm healthier, I care about everything more. I'm full of peace and love towards everyone human or non human. I eat better, I exercise more. I wish I could put it in better words but becoming vegan is the best thing to happen to me, its changed my life for the better.

I agree with DiaShel, I was really selfish beforehand but thats mostly gone. If I think about this more I'll get all teary eyed, I just love my decision to become vegan so much. I had a bit of a negative idea about vegans before as being stuck up and thinking down on everyone else, but this forum is full of people lovely people :)

[baby_vicuña]

I became a more sensitive and caring person. I used to care about nothing but myself and not only am I sensitive to the pain of suffering of animals now, but of all kinds of things I never gave a second thought. I like myself better now.

Totally agree. I never expected to actually be more aware of the world around me. I feel myself slipping back into the ways of my childhood where I could hear the trees whisper stories in the wind...and I love it :D

I find myself working toward improving every aspect of my life now. My veganism has opened my eyes to the world, and there's a hell of a lot to see.

[lorikan]

I have been vegan for one month (vegetarian for 2 years) and this is what I have noticed.

1) I lost 6 pounds :)
2) My fingernails are TOUGH and they have always chipped off and looked horrible.
3) My hair stopped falling out in HUGE clumps and I have baby hair growing in!
4) I live in Florida and it is getting so hot outside! I went out to work in the garden in the heat of the day (not a good plan) and when I was inside for a while I lifted my arms up to get something out of the cabinet and I did not stink! ( I quit using my old deodorant until I find out if it was tested on animal) How cool is that?
5) I have more energy
6) I enjoy the taste of food. Even veggies that I did not like before have wonderful flavor to me now. :tongue_ani:
7) I do not get "shaky" anymore around 1 in the afternoon if I have not had a chance to eat. I get HUNGRY, but I do not feel like I am going to pass out. (This may be due to cutting out all sugar except agave nectar and, for a real treat, real maple syrup)

Not bad for one month!!