This fall, I decided to spend a month as a vegan. No bets, no threats, no friends or doctors included. Just me and my decision. Here is how it went down and what it left behind. Some tips and other remarks are included for those who are inspired to try something similar.
I went for a strict diet, meaning that also honey and naturally lactose, whey, gelatin and such were excluded from my daily intake. I did, however, consume products that had warning labels about possible remnants of milk, since I considered them to be more or less safety information for the allergic.
I should point out that my regular diet does not include red meat at all, and I eat chicken only occasionally. This meant that the biggest changes in my eating habits were linked to the dismissal of dairy products and eggs. I chose the month of September for my experimental project, since I thought that the chance to eat regularly in university cafeterias (as lectures commenced from the beginning of the month) would facilitate the situation. Also, there were no big festivities or trips overseas expected.
The Experience
For the most part, the month went by smoothly. I ate soy-based yogurt for breakfast, had lunch at the university or at home, and enjoyed porridge or other vegan friendly products later in the evening. I did experience some problems, though, and also observed some changes and reactions in my body, but whether those were due to the new diet or for instance the stress induced by the start of a new academic year is hard to say. I will list some of the observations here, in case you are contemplating a similar experiment.
Difficulties and tricks
It is quite interesting that it is possible to face several problems, both physical and social, during only a month. These were minor problems though, so do not be disheartened.
As for social problems, you might want to ensure that everyone around you knows what a vegan is allowed to eat. I faced some difficulties when I had dinner with my family: I realized that it might be necessary to ask one by one what products have been used to prepare the meal. Did you use honey? Does this include cream?
An ordinary trip to the grocery store becomes an interesting exploration, when you want to sniff out the products that are suitable for vegans. The sad truth is that vegan convenience food is expensive. My month ended up being rather full of falafel, since you can acquire a bag for two euros from regular markets if you just know where to look for. If you have a sweet tooth, you may need to spend a couple of minutes more searching in the stores but do not despair. Here, tips from friends and well-informed people become handy. Did you know that you can get a bag of completely dairy and egg free sweet buns for one euro from certain K-markets? (Tip: warm them a bit in the microwave before consuming). Many filled cookies, while not being exactly healthy, are also dairy free.
The tricks that made the month easier were eating in Unicafe restaurants at Helsinki University (as they almost always have vegan options which I consider often being relatively tastier than regular options) and of course preparing your own food. My fast & easy favorites include pasta Bolognese from soybeans, bean sauce with Indian spices and noodles with mushrooms or tofu. Considering the prices at local stores, you also save a formidable amount of money by for instance preparing bean patties yourself. Keep your eyes open for numerous cheap and fast recipes!
Consider your health
Just to give a fair warning: It is important to pay attention to your eating and secure that you eat enough. I sometimes realized I was a bit hungry at night and experienced some problems falling asleep. A good double-check on your protein intake might help if you face similar complications. Continuous fatigue, irritation and dry skin or hair are examples of serious symptoms of too low protein intake. If you experience these, consider your diet over. Basic information about protein and health can be found for example here. One Green Planet has also made a great list of vegan protein sources.
The results
I could summarize the results of my month-long experience as follows:
It was not that difficult. You just have to get used to people asking why. Be firm in your decision.
I ate less pastries. If you think you eat too much sweets but do not want to stop eating them altogether, having to stick to restrictive standards may help.
I got used to the thought. When the month was over, there was a slight feeling of emptiness. What will I regulate now? This actually encouraged me to spend more months as a vegan, maybe twice a year.
Changes in diet. The thought of veganism stuck to me in a way. Even if I am not avoiding dairy products anymore, I eat even less meat than before. I also fell in love with soy-based yogurts, so I have decided to replace part of my regular yogurt consumption with soy products. And I am eagerly waiting for the prices to come down.
I would recommend a similar experiment to those who have even slightly considered a vegan diet or just want to try if it is economically or otherwise possible for them. In the best case scenario this trial run may change your views and preconceptions. Are you up to the challenge?
The last picture by the author, rest from Pixabay.