Would you rather:
-Eat thick greasy American-style pizza in Estonia OR eat cold kidney beans in Estonia?
-Enjoy whipped cream on your stack of delicate Swedish pancakes OR enjoy your weird looking vegan pancakes plain?
-Start a three-course meal with a fancy cheesecake and smoked salmon OR start a three-course meal with basically just glorified lettuce?
Comical contrasts, I know. But these conundrums are common for committed consumers of exclusively plants. Choosing option number two has been my reality as a vegan for the past month.
In this post, I want to lay out what I see to be the hardest and scariest parts of veganism. Part of my decision to go vegan was to become an activist for others to reduce the meat and animal-products in their diets. But it would be misleading to sell veganism as an easy and convenient lifestyle shift. I have found the conversion relatively painless, and I think anyone is capable of making the switch. Nevertheless, it is worth acknowledging the aspects of the plant-based diet that may turn people off.
The most obvious one is taste. That’s probably why most people would choose the former option in the would-you-rathers posed above. Giving up many foods and dishes from your diet is a huge sacrifice for the taste buds. It would be futile to try to convince a meat or cheese lover to eat beans instead of pizza, salad instead of cheesecake, or straight up worse pancakes on the basis of taste alone. But I will point out that vegan food does not have to be bland. There are so many ways to make plant food delicious, and it’s been a joy to explore new recipes in my first month of veganism. It’s also probably healthier and cheaper.
Second, veganism requires so much more effort! I really do think this is a major deterrent, especially for people who aren’t used to the extra planning and need for foresight that dietary restrictions demand. The beauty of omnivorism is the assurance that even if you didn’t pack lunch, you have a million food options wherever you go. Vegans generally do have options eating out, but they’re limited. Planning for every meal seems daunting, but once you get in the routine of making all your meals and always having food to bring on the go, habit takes over and it really does become easy! Sometimes that means relying on just beans, nuts and fruits for an afternoon. But most of the time, it’s delicious, and once again, healthier and cheaper!
A last potentially terrifying reality of veganism is the risk of inconveniencing other people or creating awkward social situations. “George, if you ever come over, you will have to eat meat,” my one friend warned me. I don’t have too many wise words on how to handle situations like that, as I have not yet encountered many. But I think being flexible and potentially even breaking the veganism for a meal or two to avoid conflict isn’t the end of the world.
I knew giving up animal products was going to involve sacrifices. My main reason for going vegan, to avoid the massive environmental damage done by the livestock industry, has superseded all the inconveniences and made the switch completely worth it. But I’m surprised to say I’m actually enjoying veganism so much. I feel better about the food I’m eating than ever before. Being forced to cook all my meals and try out new foods is a great thing. I’ve still found food to still be a source of great pleasure and satisfaction. I crave eggs every morning, but am content with tofu scrambles instead.
The title of this post alluded to a triumph or success story from my experience only eating plants. What could be more triumphant than hosting non-vegan guests for several vegan meals, and actually satisfying them (unless my friends are lying to me)? It’s been a pleasure to share my favourite vegan dishes, and it’s my hope that discussing my veganism has brought environmentally conscious eating to the attention of those around me.
The triumphs have ranged from simple veggie stir-fries, to a multi-course Yom Kippur break fast feast, all the way to a pizza party featuring six unique and mostly tasty vegan pizzas for ten guests. Some claimed it was the first vegan meal of their lives. Changing that is what vegan activism is all about.
Please feel free to comment on anything you agreed or disagreed with about this post!
-George Radner
Common Energy External Team
Common Energy UBC 
George, like a lot of things, changing ones diet is not so hard once one actually does it. I remember thinking that if I became a vegetarian I would have to eat a lot of tofu. That tofu would be my main protein source. That was an awful feeling since I don’t like tofu and I found out to get the protein one needs from tofu I would have had to eat a lot of it.
When I finally made the switch, which was much easier since Susan was bringing home bags and bags of vegetables (organic no less) from her CSA at Snipes Farm, I started eating lots of nuts, almonds in particular. Also vegetable protein, and admittedly, dairy products like cheese, and fish. But no meat.
I don’t particularly like meat, especially not beef or pork. We use to eat so much chicken I really got tired of that too. Eventually Susan started raising organic meat, which still has the same water and pasture needs of CAFO beef, just no chemicals and medications. I still shy away from even Susan’s organic meat, it just does not appeal to me that much. And the moral/ ethical issues you brought up are completely relevant.
Now because of Rachel and Nora (Nora is gluten intolerant, and eggs, peanuts, soy, …) I am even more aware of the issues around food. And with Charlotte developing Type 1 diabetes this year, some foods, or too much sugars, are really dangerous.
I remember that Hannah Sadtler was vegetarian, maybe vegan, for a long time. I think she began eating meat again when she just could not get the protein balance and quantity her body needed through plants. I heard that she had cold like symptoms for a yr that she just could not get rid of so decided to up her protein intake using meats. It made a difference. Please check this out from an independent source, since I actually did not hear this from her, but through siblings.
I also find that the day after I do my workouts with a trainer (weights, lots of work on Abs and some minor running) my body wants to build muscle. It is hard to get that without an animal protein, I have found.
I remember when we lived in the mountains of Mexico for three years, no electricity, mostly tortillas and beans, that our neighbors had single 2cm square chunks of meat in their rice and beans. Very small portions, since they ate what they farmed or grew. But it seemed to me those portions are much more in line with what the body needs, contrary to the typical western diet.
Anyway, life is a constant adaption. Monitor your health, energy level, and perspective. And be faithful to your (evolving) beliefs. I think we all have a lot of soul searching to do because of our life style effects on Climate Change.
By the way, I have been tweaking my bread recipe. Let’s make some when you are here at the end of December.
Oh, and I think Claire would agree, play squash. That solves a lot of problems.
Uncle Tom