I Will Not Give Up Cheese!

As many of you have heard, I have recently "gone vegan" - I'm just as stunned as everyone else in my life.  How did this happen?  That last words out of my mouth after discussing this with a friend who had recently become were "I will never be able to give up cheese - I can give up meat, sour cream, milk, butter, sugar, white flour, but please DON'T TAKE MY CHEESE!!!"

I decided to start some reading on a "plant-based" diet.  I questioned whether it was really necessary to give up all of my favorite things, perhaps I could just eat them in moderation.  After all, I've never been able to completely end my cravings for sweets, cheese or junk food.  And my will power is not strong enough to overcome those strong cravings.......so perhaps moderation was the key......knowing I can have them, just "some of the time".  

The first book I read addressed food cravings - "Breaking the Food Seduction" by Neal Barnard, M.D. The book discusses the reason behind food cravings and their causes, but most importantly, how to end them!  It didn't take long for me to realize the foods that were causing the cravings, were exactly the foods I craved!  Then the lightbulb - if I'm going to get rid of cravings, I have to give it all up, cold turkey.  After all, what did I have to lose besides my cravings?

It only took 5-7 days for my cravings to stop.  During this time, I remained "full" by loading up on fresh fruits, veggies and whole grains.  My sweet tooth was the toughest to tame, so I used a variety of Luna Bars to get me through any rough patches.  I still love Luna Bars, but need them much less often and sometimes only eat 1/4 or a 1/2 bar.  Otherwise my "go-to" dessert is fresh fruit.  

I continued doing more reading throughout this time, including "The Engine 2 Diet" by Rip Esselstyn and "The Starch Solution" by John A. McDougall, M.D.  I kept discovering the same information, not only were meat, sugar and dairy increasing my cravings, they were also significantly increasing my risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer.  All along I thought I needed meat and dairy to "be healthy" and meet my daily needs for protein and calcium - not the case, I can get all my calcium and protein from a plant-based diet. I know, those words shocked me too, but it's really the case.  Soon to be 41, I have no desire to spend the next 40 years taking pills, paying even higher health insurance premiums/medical costs and going to the doctor and/or hospital repeatedly.  I don't want to fight these medical conditions, I want to prevent them - and plant-based nutrition is the key!    

Eating has completely changed for me, I eat now because I need to nourish my body, not because I'm filling a craving.  I'd rather fill my body with the correct foods, than take several pills so I can eat the wrong foods.  The food, even organic food, is cheaper than the pills and the medical costs!  This is my new health insurance plan!  

The best part about this life change are the dramatic effects on my daily life - I have more energy, I can tell my blood sugar levels are stable throughout the day, because I've given up Sudafed, I'm sleeping better at night and I'm assuming my blood pressure is probably a bit lower as well, I still drink coffee, but drink less, my skin is clearer and I've shed 6.5 pounds in just under 3 weeks.  All without feeling hungry, deprived or tired- so now instead of being addicted to sugar, meat and cheese, well, now I'm addicted to fruits, vegetables and whole grains!   

I hope to write more about this vegan journey - but wanted to first share how it all got started.  Until next time.........