Results 1 to 32 of 32

Thread: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Hello everyone..
    here's my story and I hope someone can answer my questions too.

    I've been a vegetarian for about 12 years now.
    As confirmed in the section on the forum dedicated to Italy,
    being a vegetarian here is hard enough, so I thought becoming vegan
    would have been truly daunting on so many levels.

    (lack of support, lack of vegan food, lack of vegan-friendly restaurants etc).

    I'm the only vegetarian I know among my friends, my family and my co-workers. The myths on people not eating meat here abound ..

    ANd yet.. it had to be done. It just had to be done.
    I just recently found out that "free range" eggs are a huge hoax basically
    and i felt totally bewildered and fooled. I stopped eating eggs immediately.

    As for milk, I had avoided getting into what happens to veal.
    I think I turned a blind eye to avoid having to make the tough choice of becoming vegan in a very unfriendly-to-vegan country.
    But again, just one look at a video on what happens to them and a few other chosen images sealed the deal for me.

    i went vegan cold turkey in 2 days.
    I didn't care if it'd be hard or not. I was ready
    to have packages sent over to me from the UK or Milan if needed.
    it just had to be done at all costs..

    it's been about a month now.. 3 weeks probably.

    So far, I feel GREAT inside. It's been like a huge inner cleansing..
    My conscience has stopped nagging me I think..

    As for finding food, it's been easier than I imagined.
    I found this small organic shop I knew, and I had a list of vegan ingredients I needed for recipes and with my huge suprise, they stored most of them!

    I also bought the most fabolous book "the joys of vegan baking" and i started baking breads and cakes and pies and quick breads like CRAZY!
    They are all DELICIOUS (i'll post photos as soon as I'm allowed) and I'm getting people to share so that they too can see how great it is to bake with no eggs and milk

    Body-wise, soy makes my stomach upset sometimes but hopefully it's
    just the transition... anyone ?

    i read all i could about B12, Calcium, proteins etc and I think i have a good idea of how to balance.

    The only worry is my weight. I'm under-weight already and I really
    dont want to lose more kilos.. I'd actually like to increase a little bit.
    Or people will think my vegan diet is making me ill and thinner.

    So any idea there? Should I just eat more?
    What can be a good source of rich vegan food packed with calories?

    One last thing..
    i've also started feeling that the days of being a quiet vegetarian who
    doesn't want to stir the waters are over...

    Animals dont have a voice and we must speak up for them.
    The problem is to understand how.

    I'm learning tons from the veganoutreach website.. really cool one..
    but i wanted to ask here..
    is anyone else a teacher?
    I'm having a HARD time finding a way to bring up these topics to kids
    without fearing parents will come and complain.

    it happend before already, when I was a vegetarian, so now that I
    start answering "why dont you drink milk?" questions, I fear i may get in troubles just for telling the plain truth that veals are killed so we can get that milk...

    So, any advice there would be VERY appreciated.

    Sorry this was long.

    I've learnt a lot from this forum already so thanks to all those who share
    and who probably keep repeating things to newcomers like me...

    Ciao!

    (now) VEGAN cat

  2. #2
    robb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Inspiral Lounge. (Probably.)
    Posts
    318

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    Congratulations, Vegan Cat. And welcome to the forum proper.

  3. #3
    baffled harpy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    6,655

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    Hello again! To maintain weight, nuts and seeds are rich in calories and "good fats". Soy is probably best avoided if it's upsetting your tum. (Have we had this conversation already? )

    There is some advice on foods that help you maintain or gain weight here: http://www.vegansociety.com/people/health/weight.php

  4. #4

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    Also, while not as healthy as nuts and seeds, those pies and cakes don't hurt for weight gain either!

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    yorkshire uk
    Posts
    90

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    you probably will gain weight if you do alot of 'home baking' i found i was baking alot of chocolate cakes to satisfy my chocolate cravings i have to watch what i eat now or i do gain, but i do eat alot of crisps too... and drink alot of wine..... anyway as for the soya giving you stomach pain i think i did have a couple of weeks before a got used to it but it's fine now and i can't tell the difference now even in coffee, good luck

  6. #6
    Kevin2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Houston, Tx
    Posts
    139

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    Hello!

    I love the Joy of Vegan Baking book, and if you really to gain some weight then may I suggest the Pumpkin Spice Bread that is to be found on page 58?

    The author also has a website here:
    http://www.compassionatecooks.com/

    Welcome aboard!

  7. #7

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    Ciao e benvenuti! Dove in Italia sei? A settembre vado ad abitarlí per fare un Erasmus a Bologna... Ed ho un po' di paura a causa della mia dieta!

    Welcome to the forum Have you tried rice milk instead of soy? I get it sometimes just to make a change, it's more expensive but it's good

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    Thank you all.

    I forgot to say i'm badly allergic to walnuts, chocolate and red wine (I suffer from bad migraines
    and have to get rid of all those triggers) and have to be careful
    with all nuts in general so that is a great limitation when it comes to
    trying to gain weight.

    Good to hear that homebaking should help and I'll definitely
    try the recipe with pumpkin spice! I wouldn't have a clue where
    to get it but I bet that small shop I've found will have some. Thanks

    Anyway, I realized it sounded like I was complaining a lot about
    Italy not being a vegan-friendly country.
    As if you all had it easier..

    I just read the section where you are sharing what awful things people
    said to you, re. your decision, and it sounds like people making fun of
    veg*ns are everywhere

    As for soy, yeah, some are saying trying to cut it out, some are saying
    give it time and see if it gets better so I'll try the latter first and then cut it out if I can't help it.
    It's good to hear that some people had problems with it at the start but then it stopped..


    As for Bologna, well, I've never been there but that's in the region of lasagna, tortellini, parmisan cheese and pork of course so everyone will try to make you taste stuff and will tell you "you dont know what you're missing out" a lot I guess!
    But at the same time, it's a city, not a small town, so it will be a lot easier to find vegan-friendly places and shops or even groups of vegetarians to join..

    Anyway, I also wanted to add that I'm trying hard to feed my many cats
    and old dog a vegetarian diet. The problem there is that it's terribly expensive and I can't afford it all the time.
    Anyone knows cheap(ish) brands ?
    Last edited by vegetarian_cat; Jan 14th, 2009 at 12:01 PM. Reason: mistake

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    yorkshire uk
    Posts
    90

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    i wouldn't worry too much about feeding your animals a vegan diet, they are animals after all and in the wild they would be total carnivores, i feed my cat on fish as for all i wouldn't eat fish i think they have a happier life before they are caught i.e they don't get transported for miles before they are murdered etc.. just my views but do what you think is best

  10. #10
    Kevin2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Houston, Tx
    Posts
    139

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    nada

  11. #11

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    Good point about feeding them fish if I do have to choose
    between animal ingredients...

    As for the risks of a veg. diet for cats, what I know is that they need
    a special nutrient which needs to be added.

    Anyway, I posted about this in the thread on that topic.
    Thank you.

  12. #12

    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    yorkshire uk
    Posts
    90

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    i was a veterinary nurse for 12 years and was always led to believe that dogs can be vegan but cats are better off as carnivores, i know alot of people don't agree with that fact, again everyone has their own beliefs, choices etc...

  13. #13
    robb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Inspiral Lounge. (Probably.)
    Posts
    318

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    Quote pie View Post
    i know alot of people don't agree with that fact
    Well, it's not a "fact", it's an opinion. A generalisation, at best.

    Dogs can easily survive on a veg*n diet.

    For cats it's much more complicated; they need certain nutrients that are not found in a veg*n diet (c.f. B12 for humans).

    However, there are two main options available for those who want to feed cats a veg*n diet:
    1. Purchase a nutrionally complete veg*n cat food (which includes these nutrients)
    2. Purchase veg*n nutritional supplements to be added to veg*n recipies

  14. #14
    pat sommer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    hanging around California
    Posts
    723

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Hello and welcome, Vegetarian Cat!

    I have loads of exp with curious kids and giving politically correct answers.
    Main thing is to be happy and healthy and the kids will take that in.

    PM me if you want a tutorial on tough questions : )
    the only animal ingredient in my food is cat hair

  15. #15

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Oh thank you.
    It's not their questions I'm worried about.

    It's parents' reponse to the children asking those questions at home !

    How do you deal with that?

  16. #16

    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    .
    Posts
    1,996

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    Quote vegetarian_cat View Post
    Anyway, I also wanted to add that I'm trying hard to feed my many cats
    and old dog a vegetarian diet. The problem there is that it's terribly expensive and I can't afford it all the time.
    Anyone knows cheap(ish) brands ?
    Hi vegetarian cat and welcome to the forum! The only vegan pet food brand I know is Yarrah, and you can get it at NaturaSì, or online from a company called Antba in Turin; it is very expensive though.

    It's funny, your first post in this thread echoes my thoughts about being vegan in Italy almost exactly...

    I'm sorry to hear about your allergies, but you'll find tons of info on the site to help you out

    Are you in Milan? I'm doing a masters course there at the moment and go up once a week. We should meet for a nice vegan coffee...

  17. #17
    pat sommer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    hanging around California
    Posts
    723

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Exactly, VC. I tailor my responses knowing they will be repeated. Self censorship.

    So, it's not "I don't eat mangled carcasses" rather "the beautiful pasta and veggies here give me everything I want". For religious kids I might throw in "my ancestors were vegan -Adam and Eve".

    I frame answers around choice and environment and steer clear of too much negative. Hard as is not to tell The Whole Truth, kids learn by example and we are it. Occasionally, I throw in some reality like describing sausage or cheese: first cheese was the coagulated milk in a baby's stomach after it was killed. Hunters learned to reuse the stomach for making fresh curd from the still lactating mother.
    the only animal ingredient in my food is cat hair

  18. #18

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Welcome Vegetarian Cat! I thought I'd reply and give you my advice, if you're still in search of more opinions. Maybe you should give the soy milk a couple of weeks? I went vegan without warning my digestive system, so my stomach was a little upset with me for a while.

    As for your vegetarian animals, I can't give you much input there. I haven't done any research on that topic.

    Good luck with your kids. I have a lot of younger cousins myself. Whenever they bug me and ask why I don't eat animals, I just tell them it's because I like them. It confuses them, but at least I don't have to explain the horrible things that we do to innocent animals. Maybe you could tell them you prefer that your milk comes out of a bean instead of a nipple?

  19. #19

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Lol
    A bean rather than a nipple. that's a good one. thank you

    yes. I have cut down on soy milk for now and
    i will integrate it more gently than I have.

    As for my cats, the problem is just that it's terribly expensive
    and i have MANY cats..

    I'll have to prioritize ..

    ciao

  20. #20
    Jippia
    Guest

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Hello! I am Mirjam, from the Netherlands. Nice to meet you. I wish you lots of fun at the forum. I can imagine it is hard to be a vegan in Italy. I wish you good luck!

  21. #21

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned Vegan from Italy :)

    Kevin, yesterday I tried the pumpkin bread from the book. The one you recommended.

    My God !! DELICIOUS !!!!!
    It's SOOO good.

    Thank you so much for suggesting it !!

  22. #22
    Kevin2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Houston, Tx
    Posts
    139

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    hey great! Lots of calories in it too!

  23. #23

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    I still can't get over how good it is.
    I think next time i'll try adding cranberries to it

    Any other recipe from that book that you'd recommend ?

  24. #24
    Loss's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Posts
    110

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Ciao compatriota (Ok, non che vada molto fiera della nostra patria ultimamente, però... ;D)
    Sei iscritta a qualche forum italiano, anche?

  25. #25

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Ciao
    No, e tu?
    Cosa mangi di buono ?

  26. #26
    Loss's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Posts
    110

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Sono iscritta a promiseland, ma devo dire che questo forum dà molta più soddisfazione
    "Cosa mangi di buono?" non è una domanda a cui rispondere ora, ho una fame tremenda e l'ora della merenda è troppo lontana!

  27. #27
    AVL VegFest Chrilynhawk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Asheville, NC
    Posts
    41

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    WELCOME!

    Body-wise, soy makes my stomach upset sometimes but hopefully it's
    just the transition... anyone ?
    Personally it makes me feel icky too. The only way I can have soy is if it's a trace ingredient or if I use soymilk in cooking (though I do usually still opt for almond or rice milk).

  28. #28

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    I noticed some soymilk brands do that more to me than others..
    So who knows?
    Also, it has been better with time so that's good.

  29. #29

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    135

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Loss, I posted some pics of what I've eaten/baked recently on
    another thread but basically, I'm baking a lot of recipes from
    this book
    http://www.joyofveganbaking.com/


  30. #30
    Loss's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Posts
    110

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Quote vegetarian_cat View Post
    Loss, I posted some pics of what I've eaten/baked recently on
    another thread but basically, I'm baking a lot of recipes from
    this book
    http://www.joyofveganbaking.com/

    I really should look into buying a recipe book! This one looks great. I usually look for recipes on the internet (http://www.veganblog.it is great) or I... improvise

  31. #31

    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    France
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Hi, we are neighbours

  32. #32

    Default Re: Vegetarian turned vegan from Italy :)

    Quote Loss View Post
    I really should look into buying a recipe book! This one looks great. I usually look for recipes on the internet (http://www.veganblog.it is great) or I... improvise
    I don't understand what it says but the pictures are fabulous!

Similar Threads

  1. Hi from Vegan Italy! :o)
    By trudi in forum Europe (other)
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: May 29th, 2007, 06:36 PM
  2. looking for vegetarian-vegan climbers to live in Italy
    By vegrock in forum Europe (other)
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: Mar 10th, 2006, 05:49 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •