Since I’ve started this vegan thing, I’ve been getting many (unsolicited) comments and (welcome) questions. First, most people think it will be quite hard to make the switch; that I’d cave because of how much I love meat/cheese. I really haven’t found this to be the case at all. Not to say that I don’t find the scent of BBQ saliva-inducing. However, just one thought about where that meat/dairy came from is enough for me to get turned right off. Others say that I won’t be getting enough nutrition and that I’m bound to get sick. These Negative Nellies all seem to know someone how went vegan and became drastically ill. To them I say, I am not just cutting out meat/animal products. I have done my homework and am replacing those nutrient sources with plant-based ones. Plus, there are many examples of healthy athletes who eat an exclusively plant-based diet.
Here is what I have been eating on a typical week day:
Vegan Oatmeal Breakfast
Breakfast
- Organic oatmeal w/ flax seeds
- Organic, unsweetened soy milk
- Fruit, like grapes, apples, oranges, bananas
Lunch
My office covers lunch from a deli near us so my lunch options are kind of boring. Sometimes I bring my own, but my cheapness gets the better of me most days.
- A sandwich on multigrain bread, filled up with tomatoes, olives, lettuce, cucumbers, and peppers
- A handful of nuts, like almonds, cashews, or peanuts
- Veggie soup
Dinner
Dinner is way less consistent. This is were I switch it up every night. But I usually have some sort of high-protein grain like red rice or quinoa, a TON of steamed greens (don’t cringe, it is freaking delicious with lots of roasted garlic tossed in or Fu Yu aka fermented bean curd), and something tofu/bean-based, like Thai Coconut curry.
It’s only been two weeks and I feel awesome. No sign of weakness or fatigue. In fact, I feel way more energetic and I logged my fastest time ever doing the Grouse Grind and shaved off TWENTY minutes off my previous best. I love the way I feel and am excited to experiment with vegan cooking.
