Today I wanted to share something a little bit different with you.
It’s a touchy topic to discuss and I’ve spent the last few years asking others where they stand on this topic, how they feel with their current diet and the health benefits and risks of a vegan diet.
At the time of writing this, I have been plant-based for a little over 3 years.
- I started off eating just one meat meal a month if I was dining out for the first year, until I eventually didn’t crave it anymore.
- I gave up cow’s milk way beforehand in my teenage years which was the best decision ever.
- I gave up eggs when I lived in the city, until I moved to a country property with my own chickens and started eating them again. My nana who is also plant-based only buys them from lifestyle blocks, never the supermarket. Here’s a video explaining why.
- At this point I haven’t eaten red meat or chicken in years, but I do still enjoy a small amount of cheese every couple of months if I’m dining out, and I eat fish about twice a month which I always crave around certain times of my cycle.
- I don’t mind very small amounts of dairy like in chocolate or if someone else has cooked for me. I get an upset stomach from dairy but as long as it’s a very small amount, sometimes it’s a more manageable diet approach to have a little bit of leeway and just stick to it ‘most of the time’.
If you restrict things you are craving immensley, it can lead to food binges and eating disorders. That’s why it’s always wise to check-in with how you feel and get a check-up every 1-2 years of your nutrient levels.
I class myself as 90% plant-based except for the fish. My meals are vegan most of the time but if they aren’t 100%, the meals are ‘based around’ plants.
It has been a difficult arguement in my head. Why is a fish’s life less important than a cows? But when I tried to give that up too, I experienced MAJOR cravings and it’s all I could think about. I went crazy in the supermarket and spent $15 on one piece of salmon and scoffed the whole thing.. My body knew what it needed 🤷🏼♀️
I do have a friend who just started incorporating salmon back into her diet as well, for brain health. I’ve also had friends tell me they eat vegetarian except they really crave red meat during their time of month.
Yes, there are some things we can do like ensure your nutrient levels are right and ensure we are eating a wide variety of whole-foods. I’ve been recommended to add more tahini to meals for the ‘fattiness feel’ I’d get from salmon. But I truly believe everyone sits slightly different on the scale due to our genetics and lifestyle.
I know people who are full vegan and are doing great, so it’s not to say it’s impossible or not recommended! I just want you to find out what’s right for YOU!
I cater to this in my meal plans and recipes too, whether you prefer whole-foods (to improve healthy eating in general), predominantly plant-based or full vegan. I’m here for you at every step of the way.
I came across this video by Abbey Sharp which I found very un-biased and scientifically orientated. All of these vegans who had built entire brands around their lifestyle, started incorporating animal products again due to personal health reasons.
Sometimes you can feel excellent initially due to eating a lot more fibre and vegetables, and many of them cutting out processed food. But after a while they felt having a bit more ‘balance’ helped them find their sweet spot.
This can be down to how organised they were with their cooking/meal prep/food choices, how well they absorbed certain nutrients, genetics or other lifestyle factors.
It is horrible when you have to go against your values to make a decision for your own personal well-being and quality of life. That’s hard enough. But then to get bullied and ripped to shreds by other vegans for not being ‘perfect’ anymore is absolutely uncalled for.
Yes, if they were making profits off promoting veganism, I can see why some people would be upset. But that’s why they are coming out and being honest to their audience.
That’s why I share on my Instagram story the occasional eggs on toast from my chickens, or a salmon salad if I’m craving it, despite putting myself out there to be bullied from those further along the scale than me. I feel it’s important to be transparent so you can make your own decisions about what suits you.
Give this video a watch and I hope you take away some really valuable information from it!
Let me know if there are certain topics you would like me to cover in future content 😄
Have a great rest of your week,
Cassie xx
