Monday, January 18, 2010

Going Vegan: 18 days in

It's been several days since my last update on being vegan, so I thought I'd rave and complain about it once again to you all. Honestly, this diet has some major pros and some major cons. On the plus side, I'm fitting into my super skinny jeans again! You know that pair that you have in the back of your closet, that you fear and loathe because you just can't get into it no matter how much you suck it all in? Well, I have two Sevens that fit that description, and as of yesterday, I can comfortably fit into both! I haven't weighed myself yet because I want to only weigh myself once--after this is all said and done, on Feb. 12th. But regardless, I can feel that I've lost some weight, and that is super exciting 18 days in!

I think one of the main reasons I've lost weight is because veganism has practically made me eliminate desserts and junk food from my diet. It seems as though every kind of dessert and snack out there has some kind of dairy product, from cheese, to cream or milk. I'm pretty much eating 3 meals a day and nothing in between.

Now for the downside. My dinners are usually quite filling and satisfying because I make vegan Indian meals, which consist of rotis, vegetables, a small salad, and a bit of chutney. But honestly, my breakfast and lunch are just not that nutritious and wholesome. For breakfast, I have 2 packets of oatmeal with soymilk and black coffee. Not filling or super-nutritious. And for lunch, if I don't have any leftover Indian food to take to work, I'm stuck with buying a vegan burrito with chips and salsa. So I'm basically eating very little for breakfast, and a ton of carbs for lunch. Not good.

The other downside is that veganism requires a lot of preparation. There's no busy-night excuse. I once had a busy night where I didn't have time to prepare any dinner, and I was left with making myself a small strawberry-banana-soymilk smoothie for dinner. I guess it wasn't enough because I ended up with a hunger headache. :(

I definitely think I have the stamina to keep my vegan diet going until Feb. 12th, but after that, I'd like to re-incorporate foods that I think are beneficial, but in small quantities. The main things I want to incorporate are cheese, yogurt, and fish. I'm still on the fence about whether I want to be a pescetarian going forward, or just have no "labels", and be a disciplined eater. Thoughts anyone? Or tips on how to be a vegan and still get wholesome, nutritonal meals?

12 comments:

Laura Loo said...

Go, Ashwini, go! You can make it!

Sounds like this does take a lot of prep, which I am not always good at. I tend to eat a cheese sandwich for lunch and somehow make it to dinner.

You should add fruit to your breakfast to help it feel more substantial. Or toss an apple in your bag for snacks.

cLaRa711 said...

Good Job!
That's really daring of you to go Vegan, I would fail miserably.

Have you ever tried steamed Green Beans or Cabbage with Olive Oil, Lemon, Salt &
Pepper? It's delicious!

Also you can cut up some Romaine lettuce, Some tomatoes Add some Olive oil, lemon, salt & pepper and If you like pita bread too. (This is my prior Boss' Lunch everyday and she looks amazing, They are Greek btw)

<3Clara

Anonymous said...

I am so impressed with you. I honestly think giving up cheese would be the hardest thing in the world for me. Though perhaps this might be an interesting challenge to take on in the near future.

Keep up the awesome work!

Makeup Kitten said...

Wow, great job on losing all that weight! Sounds tough, but it is SO worth it when you fit into your skinny jeans :)

Unknown said...

Being a vegan seems to be very hard...I have been contemplating becoming a vegetarian, not a vegan tho as I couldnt survive without fish or dairy but I dont think I have the determination like you to go ahead with it. Keep it up luv whether you decide to bring back fish or some dairy into your diet or not

Ashwini said...

Aww thanks for all the support guys. Your recipe ideas sound yummy, and I'm gonna try them out. I need to start eating salad. In my head it seems not too filling, and I have to pack it in the morning, so I get lazy. But being hard working and vegan seem to go hand in hand!

@Goldyrocks: yes, I am bitching a lot in this post, but man, its worth it. I feel goood about getting in them jeans. ;)

Ashwini said...

@Henessy: ooh props for thinking about going veggie! I have to warn you though--restaurant menu choosing can be AGONIZING. That's why I'm contemplating either going pescetarian or not having labels, just being a conscious eater. Best of luck!

LillianZahra said...

Well done for sticking to your challenge so far!

Sounds like it requires a lot of forward planning and preparation but the results are worth it - good luck for the rest of the challenge! :) x

manfascott said...

Hello! I'm very sorry about that blog post, I hope I didn't offend you ;[ xxx

Witoxicity said...

I admire your perseverance! I've so often told myself that I should try going vegan, but it just never worked out! I think it's a good plan there to incorporate a bit of dairy products and fish in your diet later. Good luck!! :0

Jenny$1983 said...

You could look at awesomevegan's blog: http://awesomevegan.blogspot.com

She did a nice Avatar-themed manicure too :)

Anonymous said...

Ooft! This seems hard! But you can so do it girly! =D. XX

Post a Comment