I share a lot about what I eat from recipe posts to what I eating a days, my diet makes up a large chunk of my content. And while I talk about what I’m eating a lot, I don’t always go into a lot of detail about why I do/ don’t eat certain things. There are a few questions that crop up in my comments section, and today I’m addressing those as well as explaining the basics. Everything from why vegan to why I don’t eat fake meat (the answers are related).
The basics
So, everything is gluten free and vegan. That’s pretty self explanatory if you’ve read more than one or two recipe posts.
Contents
Why Vegan
I used to be a very fussy eater. Within the realms of a vegan diet, I wouldn’t consider myself fussy at all. I like almost all fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes etc. When I ate everything, it felt like I didn’t like anything.
This breaks down into a few parts. I’ve never liked eggs in any form, fried, scrambled, poached – all gross in my humble opinion. So, back when I ate everything, I only ate eggs in things like baked goods and never ate eggs whole or egg based foods like omelettes.
I hate all seafood, and even if I did like it, the smell is enough to ensure I’d never eat it. Something else I don’t like? Meat.
It wasn’t an ethical decision
Well, maybe a little bit, but not really.
Meat
When I was a kid, I used to have a little rule, I refused to eat anything I thought was cute. I’ve never tried lamb because lambs are cute. My grandparents used to eat rabbit sometimes, and I absolutely refused because they’re super cute. On the other hand, cows and chickens weren’t cute, so I was fine eating those. Please keep in mind this was my philosophy from the age of about 5 and don’t get too caught up on what I deemed too cute to eat.
BUT I hated red meat. I don’t like the taste or the texture at all, so I stopped eating red meat when I was about 11 or 12. Now, chicken doesn’t really taste of anything other than whatever you season it with (from what I can remember, it’s been a while). For about 7 years I ate a lot of it, but it was filling a space on my plate. Even though taste wasn’t an issue, I still hated the texture. And by the time I got to the end of uni, I was eating chicken maybe two or three times a month, opting for more vegetable based dishes instead.
The only thing left? Pigs. The only meat I ever truly liked was the dry cured stuff, Parma ham, salami etc. Pork is up there with red meat in the taste/ texture department and I stopped eating that about the same time. However, I think pigs are the cutest animals on earth, cuter than dogs even… So, I did get a massive pang of guilt if I ever ate it and avoided it most of the time for that reason.
Recap: I don’t like eggs, seafood or meat at this point.
Dairy
This is the tricky one as it’s EVERYWHERE. But, what a shock, I was also really fussy here too. I hated milk. Before I adopted a vegan diet, I ate dry cereal and I’ve been drinking my coffee black since my early teens. I haven’t purchased (dairy) milk once in my life.
Prepare yourselves, but I didn’t like cheese much either. I know, I know, no one says that. But I used to like halloumi and melted cheese in things like paninis or pizza. I hated plain cheese, a cheeseboard was the worst thing you could offer me, and don’t get me started on the blue stuff.
Finally time for some stuff I used to love…dairy in all other forms. Yoghurt was basically a food group in its own right for me, and I always liked dessert kind of dairy things (including cheesecake despite hating cheese). But during my final year of uni, I started to get these blotchy skin rashes on my cheeks. After eliminating my skincare, I realised it used to flare up when I was eating dairy. It was there almost constantly, but would get a lot worse when I’d eaten a lot of dairy. I tried cutting dairy out/ cutting back massively for a couple of weeks and it almost fully cleared up.
Another recap: I don’t like seafood, meat or eggs and dairy is giving me horrible bumpy skin rashes.
So, I decided to try a vegan diet. I thought I was more likely to be able to stick to a dairy free diet if I tried a dramatic dietary change than if I tried to limit my consumption. I decided to try it for two weeks. If it wasn’t that hard, I’d keep it. Four and a half years later, you’re reading my vegan food blog so no prizes for guessing how that trial turned out.
No Gluten?
Well, this one is more recent. And I took you on the whole ‘am I coeliac?’ journey with me last year. But gluten used to make me a little bit ill with bloating, stomach aches, so I used to limit my consumption. Now it makes me really ill with full blown sickness, so it’s gone completely. And I still get cravings for bakery bread all the time after four months of being 100% GF. I’m so thrilled about that.
No Coconut?
This is another thing that stems from my own vanity. Anything coconut gives me cystic acne. That’s in my body, or on it. I can’t use makeup/ skincare with coconut without breaking out. My concealer has coconut water in, but no one really gets acne in the region of their dark circles. If I eat any form of coconut, I get a huge cystic breakout. I have dry skin that isn’t acne prone and I spent my teenage years reaching for extra oily creams for aging skin rather than acne treatment. My skin heals slowly, usually, each spot takes 2-3 weeks to disappear. It just isn’t worth it when I know my natural skin is clear without it.
I do get products with coconut in occasionally if I’m out, but never in the house and only usually on special occasions.
Most vegan cheeses are coconut oil based, which is why you never see me using vegan cheese.
Coconut free peppermint creams.
Why don’t you eat fake meat?
This cropped up a couple of times when I did my post about vegan protein sources. And the answer comes back to what I said in the why vegan section. I don’t like meat, so the idea of a fake meat isn’t exactly appealing to me. As I didn’t eat much of it before, it doesn’t feel like something I was ever missing and didn’t want/ need to find a replacement for in my diet.
Then there’s the health stuff. I don’t like thinking about some of the things that some meat free alternatives are made from. Anyone who reads my recipe posts in general knows that I usually like the more minimally processed options anyway, so I don’t like the concept of fake meat. I fully understand why people like it as a replacement, but those people probably liked/ ate meat to begin with…
I’ve never tried any kind of fake meat. It might be nice for all I know. But while I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything and know it’s healthier not to eat it, I’d rather keep it that way.
To conclude: my diet is mainly whole foods based, vegan, gluten free and mostly coconut free. Never invite me out for dinner, I’m very hard to accommodate.
This was a long one, I hope this clears things up if you’ve ever left a comment asking a dietary question, or wondered something but never asked. Is there anything else you’ve wondered that I haven’t covered here?
Until next time,
Sophie
Oh dear!! I think I’d struggle. Although, I do get you about meat, the taste and texture. I feel ill eating meat and I’ve been that way since I was child, I can always smell farm or something and I don’t want to eat it, which is why I don’t eat meat now. Thanks for sharing this!! x
This was so interesting and informative for reading. It is only important that you are satisfied with your diet and food that you eat and you enjoy while make it and eat. At your blog I find so many delicious recipe.
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This was actually such a great read! I personally don’t know many vegans but those that are do it for ethical reasons.
Jessica & James | http://www.foodandbaker.co.uk
I really liked this post and it really helps to know that being a picky eater myself that I will probably eventually be able to go fully vegan. For me texture is a bit thing and why I don’t eat certain meats. I also hate cheese though rarely admit it to people as the reaction I often get is what you would expect if I said I had murdered someone. I think this is why I love your recipe posts cause you don’t use vegan cheese or cheese like supplements. Love your blog!
This is very very interesting.
I’ve tried a few meat replacements and I’m not a big fan. I’d rather use real vegetables than something so processed it looks like chicken.
I’m not a big bread eater. Well actually I love bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and so on, but I makes me bloated and my body sees 100 grams of bread as a reason to put in 1 kg.
I hope you’re well and enjoying February.
Due to circumstances, I don’t eat meat right now, and haven’t for a while, I prefer to cook vegetarian dishes for myself and limit meat to a few times a week. With dairy, I’m lactose intolerant so avoid it as much as possible but if its in a cake or something I can’t help it haha! I’ve been looking to eliminate meat completely once school starts again, and be more mindful of my dairy too. And I agree with what you said about seafood, I can’t stand it at all!
This is soo interesting! Thanks for sharing it with us
I found this to be a really interesting read as it really does show that everyone chooses their diet through their own experiences, it’s not a trend as a lot of boomers perceive it to be. Reading this though has drawn me to some of the other recipe bits on your blog which I cannot wait to try out, I think it’s really cool that you don’t use the fake meats. I’m really looking forward to trying out some of your ideas in my own diet since at the moment I’m trying to become veggie with some vegan meals interspersed. Great post x
bumblingalong.co.uk
This was an interesting post to read about why you’re vegan – I’m always interested to find out why people eat the way they do.
I used to LOVE meat but only really ate chicken and fish, and occasionally beef. I started cutting down for ethical reasons (animals and the planet) and then one day I realised I hadn’t eaten it at all for a few months without missing it so I decided just to carry on. As I do like the taste and texture of meat, I’ve found that fake meats have really helped me transition but I know they’re not for everyone.
I’m with you on the dairy…HATE it! Cow’s milk makes me feel sick – so much so that even the smell makes me heave. I’ve been drinking soya milk for most of my life. I’m not too fussed about cheese either; I can take it or leave it so I generally just leave it. I’ve never tried vegan cheese (except on pizza) so I might give it a try.
Wow! I am impressed with how you eat. I love dairy (although I can’t handle it so I eat it sparingly). I could never be veggie/vegan because I hate almost all beans. It’s a texture thing. I’m not big on red meat either. Your diet sounds so clean and healthy!
I have a lot of the same dislikes that you do — I have never liked eggs and I am allergic to seafood. I don’t eat coconut as a personal preference. While I was on dialysis, I had to severely restrict my dairy consumption. Even with the transplant, I don’t drink milk like I used to. But cheese… it will be the death of me!
However, my husband and I are decreasing our meat intake. It would be easier if my son, daughter, and father weren’t so resistant to that. Oh well. You do want you can. I will have to check out some of your recipes!
I’m fussy too which is why the thought of veganism scares me a little. It is good to hear that you found the change relatively straight forward!
So hard to go out and eat when vegan. I still remember these days when I used to be one.
http://www.fashionradi.com
OK so that was fascinating.
The past few months I’ve cut dairy out because my partner is lactose intolerant and wow my skin, it’s the best it’s ever been. I never thought dairy would be the cause of my breakout. Dairy is in almost everything though it’s a minefield so we barely eat anything processed any more.
I love how honest you’ve been, admitting that it wasn’t an ethical chocie.
Cora | http://teapartyprincess.co.uk/
I hate milk and thought I was the only one! I just hate the consistency and smell. Thank you for sharing your reasons with us xo
Makeup Muddle
This was so interesting to read. I say it’s totally best to do what’s good for you and it looks like you have figured out what works best and that is totally awesome!
Charity http://www.morningsonmacedonia.com
I have to admit, I laughed a bit at your comment about inviting you out to eat! I love that you shared more about this, especially since you don’t owe anyone any explanation for your choices.
I toy back and forth with different “diets.” I like chicken, which is basically the only meat I like, save for some seafood. I do look for alternatives to a lot of things, especially nonprocessed options because, who wants crap in their bodies, ya know!? But, I love cheese and eggs!
I love reading your recipes – and have tried a few too. 🙂
Tonyalee @ http://vivaciousbibliophile.com/
I love your honesty – and sharing why you chose to go this way with your diet!
I get this a lot being vegan and to be honest I’m always super open about it! I love this post my lovely
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Making the transition from a 10 year vegetarian to complete veganism right now, so definitely intrigued by other people’s reasons and experiences with this diet. Must be tricky when there are more things you dont eat involved but looks like you’re making some very delicious meals!
This was such an interesting read. I kind of love that you were driven by a huge ethical decision but based on what you, quite simply, liked or didn’t like to eat, whether that was taste or how your body reacted to it. At the end of the day, what better reason to continue with a particular diet other than it suits what you need. Really enjoyed this – great post and looking forward to more yummy recipes!
This was a really interesting read, being vegan myself there are lots of similarities and differences between us!
How long have you been vegan for?
You seem like the opposite from me lol ^_^ because tbh I’ve never been a picky eater but when vegan for the animnals and eviroment 🙂 Interesting enough, while I have always liked dairy, it always left me feeling bad and heavy, so years before I went vegan I switched to soy milk. I like coconut in some forms, but a lot of them like in sauces, milk/cream, curry, etc just don’t agree with me. I do like mock meats but I’ve noticed that I keep liking them less and less, but in my first year of being vegan I depended on them so much, and now I just eat them bc I like them. 🙂
I learn so much about the vegan diet through your posts! I love that you find different ways to make your meals popping and don’t cut corners. It is interesting to learn about how foods react with you – which makes sense. I react the same way towards certain food. Instead of going out, having a homemade dinner with you sounds like a great plan! 🙂
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
I am always intrigued by reasons people go vegan, we are 50% vegan at the moment in our house. You certainly notice the benefits health wise eating more wholesome foods and I have never been a fussy eater so adapting for myself is straightforward and it helps give the family a more varied diet. I love your recipes keep them coming!
Sarah
http://Www.simplysarahjayneloves.com
This was really interesting – I’ve always been curious as to why you’re Vegan and I suppose your personal preferences made it a lot easier for you to become Vegan! Unfortunately, I love eggs. I have them every morning and I’m big on dairy so that would be the thing I’d really struggle with. Although meat, I could probably give up if I really tried x
This was so interesting to read! I agree with you about the meat alternatives, if you didn’t really like meat in the first place then it makes sense to replace it with things you already like and enjoy, they can be quite expensive too! I know I’ve said it before but I really do feel like I learn loads when I read your posts xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
I’ve been questioned why I’m veggie since I was 12 and now it’s the same being vegan – it can be so frustrating sometimes!