Every once in a while someone will tell me that they have a friend who knows someone who went vegan and got really sick, or a child on a vegan diet almost died. Those stories may actually be true. Yet for me going vegan has been great for my health. My cholesterol is down from the mid 200’s to under 100, my triglycerides are excellent, I’m 50 pounds lighter, my nails are stronger, I surprisingly get lots of complements on my complexion that I never got before, I sleep better, I just feel overall healthier and more alive. This isn’t the case for everyone.
But let’s be honest. What does going vegan really do? By not eating animal products I have eliminated all dietary cholesterol. Great for my heart! I have removed from my diet the hormones, antibiotics, and other nasty drugs farmed animals are given. The biggest benefit in my opinion is that I no longer have casein (dairy fat) in my diet which is a known, horrible carcinogenic. These are all great things, actually amazing life-saving changes. But if that was all I did I wouldn’t be feeling healthy and strong. It has been the change to my diet, increased exercise, and more attention to what I eat that has sustained the benefits of going vegan.
When I went vegan I read everything I could find and I still buy any new book that comes out about vegan health. I read that one of the main reasons a person does not stay vegan is that they don’t feel healthy. Someone who gives up on veganism because they aren’t healthy can become a true anti-vegan evangelist. Not good. Not good for the animals.
For me going vegan meant I needed to take some time to make sure I could get what I need to be healthy. That isn’t to say I don’t still eat chips or pizza. I just don’t eat as much. Tonight I had fried vegan fishless fish sticks (that will be my next recipe post, so incredible!). But half of my plate was sautéed kale. This week I went to see my doctor and she actually told me that she was excited to see me so she could give me my test results. Last visit she admitted that my cholesterol problem was not genetic as she had always told me. Love a doctor who can admit a new perspective on a diagnosis.
Yes it took a couple of months to research what I needed to stay healthy and to build a routine but today I don’t even think about it anymore. And really, is a little investigation into what is healthy too much to do for one’s self or the people you love? I’m not forcing myself to eat food I don’t like, and I’m actually expanding what I eat. I eat better and more tasty food than I ever ate as a meat eater. I know you meat eaters don’t believe that, but try it for a month and then tell me I’m wrong. Also, the better I feel the more I seem to want to do to feel even better, hence the exercise.
If I had only eliminated animals from my diet and did not enrich it with other healthy things I would feel sick and weak. But if I gave up all veggies without planning I would also feel just as unhealthy. So the point is that yes, if someone just gives up animal products and doesn’t change anything else they probably won’t feel healthy or strong. But that doesn’t mean that a vegan diet isn’t healthy or sustainable. It just means that it is time to love yourself enough to take care of you. So glad I found that out. And now I’m going to the kitchen for a vegan ice cream sandwich. Yum!
Excellent post. You told your point of view without being “preachy”. I already share your views, but sometimes read articles that would put a carnivore on edge immediately. Your approach is much better, and I think I would have accepted it and/or at least considered it “back in the day”.
By: Debbie on August 6, 2011
at 7:33 am
Thank you Debbie. That is a wonderful compliment! I am really trying to just share my experience and not to tell anyone else what to do. I’m sure I mess up occasionally but it is great to hear when I don’t. Thanks!
By: vegandeb on August 6, 2011
at 8:51 pm
Interesting to hear that your cholesterol dropped that much from going vegan. My most recent test was 227 (which is down from about 270 and I’m only 21 and weigh 120lbs). I’ve cut out all factory farmed meat but I still eat humanely treated meat when my parents make it. The cholesterol factor may be something for me to look into-I think I may need to take the step on becoming vegan.
By: karesaurus on August 7, 2011
at 6:20 pm
Thanks for commenting. I always had high cholesterol, even in my 20′s when I was a size 3. However, when I went vegan I was overweight so I think it was the combination of getting rid of the animal products and losing weight that lowered my cholesterol so much. Of course going vegan is what helped me to lose the weight.
I think it is wonderful that you have cut out all factory farmed animals from your diet! I really respect people who take those kinds of steps. It isn’t always easy. I know.
Good luck with reducing your cholesterol and I hope you do take the next step to going vegan.
By: vegandeb on August 7, 2011
at 7:13 pm
That was a neat site in your first link. Too bad it looks like they stopped posting back in January.
My story is a bit different in that I had already eliminated most dairy products from my diet before going vegan (solely for health reasons), and was already eating quite well i.e. little processed food, lots of fruit, whole grains, nuts, beans, etc. I actually gained weight though because I ended up needing to eat more to feel as full. Plus I think I rewarded myself for going vegan by eating way more treats.
But I really can’t say that I felt that much healthier or more energetic or that my complexion changed or really felt much of a big difference overall, and I believe it’s important for vegans to share that perspective as well. Some vegans experience greater health benefits which is wonderful, but others experience fewer benefits. That said, ALL sentient beings benefit from as many people going vegan as possible!
By: Have Gone Vegan on August 10, 2011
at 8:22 pm
You are so right! Potential vegans need to know that going vegan is not a guarantee of better health or a smaller jean size. Thinking that would only lead some to end up believing a vegan diet is not what people say it is when they don’t experience the benefits some of us have. Thanks for reminding us all of that fact. I get so excited about how my life has changed for the better that sometimes I forget that my experience is not the same as everyone’s.
By: vegandeb on August 10, 2011
at 9:48 pm
I wouldn’t say Ive seen a striking change in my 45 days being vegan – buy I think it probably takes some time. The two biggest things ibe noticed are my nails are longer and stronger than ever (that’s not enough to keep me vegan but it’s something) and I no longer have tired “spells”. You know that post eat exhaustion – haven’t felt that once while eating vegn. I feel much more steady. Like you said, for me it’s been a lot about learning and experimenting with new flavors.
By: Vanessa on August 14, 2011
at 8:28 pm
I think you are right, it probably does take some time Vanessa. Also, I think it depends on your health when you started. I was not in the best shape so I had more room for improvement
By: vegandeb on August 14, 2011
at 9:45 pm
Enjoyed reading this article. My 90 day vegan adventure began with a juicing reboot. I felt great after the first 2 days. Slept well, and had plenty of energy. It’s made me realize how poorly we eat here in the States. One of the mistakes that I see vegetarians make is to imitate animal products using soy and other vegetable combinations. I’m sorry, but a soy burger does not taste like a beef burger. When non-veggies expect it to taste the same they are disappointed and become opponents. Give up the imitations and let the vegetables and fruits be themselves. Everyone will be healthier and more satisfied.
By: Laura Powell Like on August 18, 2011
at 7:42 pm
Great point Laura! I have a co-worker who does not understand how I can eat a meal without meat or a meat substitute, Also, as long as people believe we need to compensate for meat with a meat analog, we can never get to the point where people understand that we don’t need dead animal flesh at all. Not the real stuff and not the fake. Thank you for your comment.
By: Debbie on August 19, 2011
at 6:07 pm
Awesome blog you got here! I have been a vegan for about 6 weeks now. At first it was really overwhelming. I didn’t know where to start. I did a lot of research and realized that this was going to take sacrifice and commitment. Throughout these 6 weeks I have discovered a whole new world of food that is surprisingly tasty, healthy, and completely vegan. I think the key is just making sure you get the vitamins, minerals, and proteins you need. I take vitamins, calcium, drink vegan protein shakes, and, of course, I eat lots of vegetables, beans, and oats now. My favorite discovery so far is the wide variety of really good non-dairy ice creams that are available. Not a fan of the fake meat though.
By: Cherie on September 24, 2011
at 2:20 pm
Cherie, I am so glad you like my blog! Isn’t the first few weeks, while overwhelming, also just amazing? Like you mention, for me I was surprised at how good the food is and how much better I felt after only a few weeks. Congrat on all your positive life changes.
Deb
By: Debbie on September 24, 2011
at 10:03 pm
I’m really hoping my dad sees a drop in his cholesterol like that. He’s at about 175 (total chol.) now, and pretty healthy. He exercises a lot, but has always eaten meat. We both decided to try being vegans for three weeks and get our blood tested before and after. I know he would be disappointed if there was no change.
By: whimsiesofahopefulfoodie on January 2, 2012
at 9:15 pm
Helpful info. Lucky me I discovered your website by chance, and I am surprised why this coincidence did not came about earlier!
I bookmarked it.
By: loss remedies on November 17, 2012
at 11:18 am