For ex-vegans

[UmmZahra]

I'm really thinking of switching over to Traditional FOods.

My question is for ex-vegans.... what things really pushed you from being a vegan?

I've never been a vegan for long. LOL I've usually done it in bursts... 6 months here.... 4 months there...etc.

I'm curious to know.

[zoebird]

i became vegan by ethical construct: if it isn't necessary killing, then one should not participate. later, i discovered a unique health condition that made veganism impossible, and returned to vegetarianism. i am vegetarian now.

i am considering 'situational omnivorism' during pregnancy and lactation for the construct of "optimal" health for the child's body. but, that decision isn't made yet. we shall see how i feel over the next few months. I may only take cod liver oil.

so, that's my process. i was vegan for 5 years, i've been meat free for 7.5 years.

[toraji]

My story is over here:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...7&postcount=34

[Mama2E&O]

I am not an ex-vegan, but have contemplated and researched veganism and have chosen to avoid a vegan diet for myself and my family for the reasons toraji states in her link- and I've heard similiar stories from other ex-vegans. Toraji, thank you for sharing your story.

[pampered_mom]

Wow, toraji - thanks for the link to your story and the other links you provided there. Not a former vegan, but former l/o veg. For me, this part resonanted with me greatly given that we were likely find ourselves with FTT on our previous diet (from Beyond Veg):

Ethical considerations about vegetarian diets too often proceed under the simplistic assumption the diet will work for everyone. Particularly when failure to thrive is an issue, then whether to be vegetarian becomes a question only the individual can best decide or not, and the issue loses any sacrosanct status as a social agenda that some may believe it to have. The idea of vegetarianism as a social solution for environmental concerns, or for the so-called moral problem of killing animals for food (which is not made into an issue where other omnivorous animals are concerned) is based on the idea that vegetarianism can work for everyone. But if such presuppositions do not hold, then the questions become more complicated, and there are no longer any easy answers (if there ever were anyway).

Tough questions often not faced. Can the health and well-being of an omnivorous animal who may depend on animal food for optimal health be measured against the lives of the animals that are sacrificed for such food? Only the individual themselves can answer such a question; and supposing that the question can, should, or ought instead to be made a prescription for society is seen as presumptuous. How does one weigh the "right" of an omnivorous animal to eat omnivorous food against the "rights" of its prey? These are questions that have no definitive answers, and perhaps should not have to be asked in the first place.

OP - I'd certainly also suggest checking out books from Nina Planck or Jessica Prentice and their discussions. I know for sure that Planck is a former vegan.

[PrairieBohemian]

disgruntled ex-vegan here!

I bought into all the pro-vegan propaganda hardcore. I was vegan for about 2-3 years and I was a very unhealthy vegan. I had horrible skin, gained weight and lost my period. Other vegans told me my body was "cleansing"; I was so obsessed with being pure. I also didn't eat refined sugar or flour.

I actually gave up veganism while pregnant and living in Eastern Europe. It was very, very hard to find supplementary protein (like tofu) and even more difficult to go against the social norm in a country that takes food celebrations very seriously. In addition, in my pregnancy I began to crave milk (strawberry kefir actually) and meat like crazy. In the end, listening to my body was the right thing to do.

Reading NT, everything MADE SENSE at a deeper, intuitive level and once I started adapting the priciples into my life, I felt great!

Sometimes I still get turned off of meat and think of the slaughter etc but I chose to buy meats from my local farmers market. I have also come to accept that life is violent and unless I am a Janeist, I am still killing other life.

I could go on about this forever. I really, really wanted to believe in veganism. But now that I think about it, I have yet to meet a strong, healthy, vibrant vegan. Have you?

[PrairieBohemian]

Originally Posted by toraji

My story is over here:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...7&postcount=34

Thanks toraji! I actually haven't met to many ex-vegs in my path and feel so good to know I am not the only one who gave it up. I was in denial for so long about my health. Now I ask other vegs just that question: if it was a matter of your health, would you give it up? Most say no. They will never eat meat again. I would have said the same.

[kdmama33]

See, that's the thing I don't get about many of the posts I read and conversations I have with vegans. They say that they "don't care about their health" and would rather continue to be vegan and live in bad health than slaughter animals. Personally, that just makes no sense to me. My health, and the health of my husband and my children, is of the utmost importance to me.

Now, I'm not saying that all vegans are unhealthy. I don't believe that. I believe that different diets are suited to different people. I just don't think that, if I were vegan and unhealthy as a result, I'd be able to continue along that path.

[newcastlemama]

I moved from whole-foods veganism to NT.I was still struggling with PPD and had a miscarriage and uterine hemmorage on 2/28/06. I also was feeling weak. I started to rethink my choice and started adding traditonal animal products (In March/April this year) and immediately started to feel better and keep getting better. I have decided that I need animal products to thrive and I will never go back.

Jen

[mountain mom]

Lets see, my history is this: vegetarian for about 15 years, 5 of which was vegan and 2 of which was pesco.

I started adopting NT/RAP philosophies after my hair began to fall out and I gained 45 pounds in 4 weeks.

I sustained a pregnancy with a pesco diet which I contained after my dd was born. Thankfully I was eating fish and downing omega oils like crazy. I was also eating lots of good eggs then as well, but my thyroid still pooched out from mineral deficiency.

Now I eat mainly a pesco diet still with one serving of bison per week and a serving of stock every day. I also only eat fermented dairy and soaked or sprouted grains. As well I have ferments in my diet such as kvass and kombuchu. I also periodically do lower bowel cleanses as I find eating animal products to be congesting to the bowel as well as mucous forming. Herbs are a large part of my diet as well, I take several mineral rich herbs in tincture form daily.

[mothragirl]

it is so great to see this thread. i've been ovo-lacto vegetarian for 15 years with many sprinklings of veganism, a few months to a few years at a time. i've always felt healthy but after a pregnancy and 15 months of nursing i can feel my health deteriorating. for the last month i've been craving something and i don't know what it is. i take vitamin B, calcium/mag, flax seed oil, and occasionally iron (all food based) and i still feel off. i'm not sure what to do, but the idea of traditional foods seems like exactly what i need.

[PrairieBohemian]

Originally Posted by mountain mom

Lets see, my history is this: vegetarian for about 15 years, 5 of which was vegan and 2 of which was pesco.

I started adopting NT/RAP philosophies after my hair began to fall out and I gained 45 pounds in 4 weeks.

I sustained a pregnancy with a pesco diet which I contained after my dd was born. Thankfully I was eating fish and downing omega oils like crazy. I was also eating lots of good eggs then as well, but my thyroid still pooched out from mineral deficiency.

Now I eat mainly a pesco diet still with one serving of bison per week and a serving of stock every day. I also only eat fermented dairy and soaked or sprouted grains. As well I have ferments in my diet such as kvass and kombuchu. I also periodically do lower bowel cleanses as I find eating animal products to be congesting to the bowel as well as mucous forming. Herbs are a large part of my diet as well, I take several mineral rich herbs in tincture form daily.

Thanks, mountain mom! Sounds very similar to my story! I gained about 20 lbs in 6 weeks which really tipped me off that something was seriously wrong. My body was totally freaking out!

Pesco + bison would really work for me. I am on a chicken kick right now since I've just figured out how to roast one and I'm pretty excited about it. I don't loooooovee chicken though (dh does)--I just like the skin.

You make kvass? What kind? From black rye bread? I'd love it if you'd share more info about that!

[PrairieBohemian]

ummm...just rethinking my tone from an earlier post. Yes, I do feel betrayed by all the promises of veganism and am only a *little* bitter, but I do appreciate that veganism was a keystone in my transition to NT. I learned a lot about whole foods and experimented with many odd veggies during this time. Veganism also kickstarted bouts of sugar-free times in my life (yippee!).

It was also rude to say I have never met a vegan who glowed with health--that's a pretty judgemental thing to say. They must be out there. Veganism probably does work for some people.

I also think veganism has a role for short-term cleanses; I aslo think it could help as a semi-fast during times of intense spiritual search. I also don't really believe in milk but can't deny my body does ask for plain yogourt and finds great pleasure in the fruit/cheese combo.

Just wanted to apologize for my tone and hope I didn't offend anyone.

Thanks.

[vermontgirl]

I dont really consider myself an "ex vegan" because I still dont eat meat or dairy. The only animal products that I consume are honey and eggs. This makes me an ovo vegetarian. The only reason that I switched from a vegan to an ovo is that I wanted a good source of B12 that isnt a supplement. I dont eat eggs on an everyday basis but occasionally. My sister (mama2E&O) has a free range organic egg farm and she shares some of her eggs with me. They are so yummy!
I dont eat dairy because I believe it to be unethical and not intended or healthy for human consumption, however my husband and I are laxed about that. We dont buy dairy ourselves but if someone prepares us a meal with a little cheese in it we will still eat it. It is important to us that we are polite and as flexible as possible.
I would actually be more willing to add a little meat to my diet than dairy if I felt that my health was suffering, but so far I am thriving this way!

[PrairieBohemian]

Originally Posted by vermontgirl

I would actually be more willing to add a little meat to my diet than dairy if I felt that my health was suffering, but so far I am thriving this way!

I said the same thing when I was a vegan. ITA!

[hanno]

Originally Posted by kdmama33

See, that's the thing I don't get about many of the posts I read and conversations I have with vegans. They say that they "don't care about their health" and would rather continue to be vegan and live in bad health than slaughter animals. Personally, that just makes no sense to me. My health, and the health of my husband and my children, is of the utmost importance to me.

Now, I'm not saying that all vegans are unhealthy. I don't believe that. I believe that different diets are suited to different people. I just don't think that, if I were vegan and unhealthy as a result, I'd be able to continue along that path.

I care very much about my health. My mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health are one. To me, consuming the murdered flesh of another sentient being would put me in extremely poor health from every angle.

[xenabyte]

:

[PrairieBohemian]

Originally Posted by xenabyte

:

ummmm....what does that mean, xenabyte?

[LovemyBoo]

Originally Posted by animus_silvae

ummmm....what does that mean, xenabyte?

It means she finds the conversation interesting but has nothing to add. She's lurking and taking notes. It's a way to keep a thread going when you have nothing to add but are really interested in what others are saying.

eta: Or she's just modding.

[xenabyte]

I'm just making sure no one is offended...I've got 'duties' now...have to make sure everyone is playing nicely.

In general, the thread was being maturely and gently talked about, just making sure it stays that way.

Since we have a new UA, I'll just say please remember that according to the UA, no disrespectful, defamatory, adversarial, baiting, harrassing, offensive, (and so on and so on) posts please.

I understand for some that 'eating meat' is something that is repulsive, but to others, it's life sustaining and what they need/choose to consume.

'Don't begrudge the deer his vegetation, and the mountain lion his deer..." They both serve a purpose in the cycle of life.