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Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

Posted by Lana Gay on Sep 11, 2009
When the year 1924 began, a then 14 year old Donald Watson gave up meat as a New Years Resolution.  In the 40's, after learning about milk production, he became (and created the term) "Vegan".  Watson went on to create the Vegan Society in 1944, and in 2005 died at the ripe old age of 95.

Vegans do not consume any animal products, avoiding all meats, dairy, eggs and honey. In recent years it has become a popular lifestyle an adopted by everyone from Thom Yorke to Alec Baldwin and even Weird Al Yankovic.

So, today on Foodie Friday we delve into veganism. Nutritionist Meghan Telpner will be on hand to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of giving up meat, and we'll learn about why she thinks you should try it out for 5 Days.

ARE YOU A VEGAN? Have you ever been?
Would you go vegan for 5 days?

Post your comments on the blog or email feedback@cbcradio3.com

photo by Nostromo
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  1. brainwash
    01

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Vegan! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by brainwash
    Good topic!

    I've dated a few vegans, and was practically there myself a few times. I gave up buying milk since my girlfriend got soy milk and it was just cheaper to drink hers, and it's been so long I can't even drink regular milk anymore. It's amazing what you can't go back to after you give it up for awhile.
  2. emef
    02

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by emef
    I've been vegan for 3 years (and lacto-ovo vegetarian for about 11 years before that). Going vegan was one of the best decisions I've ever made! Most of my friends and housemates have been veggies, so life is easy, meat-free, and delicious.
  3. AlexOfAnders
    03

    I respectfully decline

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    Eating meat is just part of who I am, I push bacon onto my friends, talk of the wonders of pig flesh and even have a motto that "It's not a meal, if something didn't die for it" (don't mean to be insensitive but that's just me).

    There's no way I could give up meat, and I don't think there's anything that can convince me to try. I mean, yesterday I realized at about 7p I hadn't eaten any meat so my idea of a popcorn dinner just wasn't going to work (I was going to the movies) so I had a quick salami sandwich and bolted out the door.
  4. Absotively
    04

    Veganism

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by Absotively
    I was more-or-less vegan for about a year (I ate honey, and used some animal products for non-food purposes). I gave it up in the summer because I found it hard to eat enough protein and calcium (I'm lazy).

    Nutrition's not a big deal if you're doing it for five days, but if you're going for it long term, I found this helpful:

    http://www.dietitians.ca/news/downloads/vege_Guide%28EN%29.pdf

    (There are some related tables around, but they're not in as nice a format for printing)
  5. loghrin
    05

    Vegan

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by loghrin
    Five days of veganism is easy, if you want to starve yourself.
    (Just kidding, I'm a vegetarian.)
  6. tesstickle
    06

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by tesstickle
    been veggie many years, only vegan about 6 months. when people make me food with eggs or cheese though i'll eat it out of respect. eating eggs and cheese doesn't gross me out like eating animals does.

    after being veggie for awhile i couldn't ignore all the great reasons to be vegan, from health to environment to ethics to $$. and it's made me be more creative in the kitchen.
  7. AlexOfAnders
    07

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    Wow, six posts in and I'm the only meat-asaurous rex so far. I am interested to hear the argument for trying to be vegan for 5 days though, as much as I don't think I'll be convinced otherwise.

    Eating local organic farm meats though, mmmm, very tasty and an easy sell.
  8. Absotively
    08

    5 days

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by Absotively
    For me, when I first went vegan, I craved dairy a little for about two weeks. So if you try it for five days and you still want cheese/milk/whatever, that doesn't mean you couldn't get used to it after a little while longer.

    I may go back at some future point, if I ever become the sort of organized person who plans meals in advance, because I did a lot better at it when I planned what I was eating. Won't be next week, though.
  9. BCrouch
    09

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by BCrouch
    Coincidentally I'm starting a 28 day vegan challenge on Sunday. I decided to do it for 2 main reasons: 1) become healthier and 2) to force myself to expand my knowledge of natural foods/cusine/cooking.

    I don't plan to stick to it for good but hope that I'll adopt some of the healthier habits upon my return to omnivorism. I recently came across a book by a local author that sparked the idea.
  10. ikilledtheradio
    10

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by ikilledtheradio
    Yes, I am a vegan. I've been a vegeterian for 10 years but then when i started dating my partner i made the transition, along with a few too many trips to the exile infoshoppe downtown ottawa.

    He basically showed me how easy it was to eat vegan food. So many enthnic foods are vegan (Indian, chinese, ethiopian). I couldn't even imagine eating meat again- it's just stuff to me that I'm not interested in.

    There's a stigma around vegans, but the way I deal with it is simply cooking for everyone around me and not even telling them it's completely animal and bi-product free.

    That being said, i've just started a new job and I've decided NOT to let any one know my beliefs and instead cop it up to food allergies.

    And we just moved so we got all new kitchen supplies and let me tell you, it's SO exciting to eat from pans etc, that have NEVER touched meat! and to go to the fridge and pull anything out that we can eat with out worrying.

    p.s. if you're vegan you HAVE to love cooking.
  11. brainwash
    11

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by brainwash
    Well, the argument for 5 days of veganism is probably directed towards vegetarians anyway.
  12. brainwash
    12

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by brainwash
    Remember what Judge Reinhold said in Beverly Hills Cop? The average human has 8 pounds of undigested red meat in his bowels!
  13. MONDAYSMAN
    13

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by MONDAYSMAN
    I d try it just for the recipes ...yummy
  14. MONDAYSMAN
    14

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by MONDAYSMAN
    I had moose burgers tho 2 days ago ... Gimme a mountain to climb .
    Can a Vegan diet feed a lumberjack ?
  15. AlexOfAnders
    15

    @MONDAYSMAN

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    I thought Lumberjacks lived off pancakes and maple syrup...
  16. emef
    16

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by emef
    Hey! I'm @pipingloud. I feel like I'm stalking Radio 3 today, sorry!
  17. MONDAYSMAN
    17

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by MONDAYSMAN
    I wouldn t know im an ex tree planter . We eat more than the jacks . We eat pancakes and syrup too topped with spirulina cause we smarter lol
  18. blaney16
    18

    Whats about vegans & vegetarians getting preggers?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by blaney16
    Are there any concerns with these diets and getting pregnant?
  19. 124th Street Beat
    19

    @AlexOfAnders

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by 124th Street Beat
    I'm here to support you, I am an unabashed carnivore. I do not care to give up my meat eating habits. However, that being said, I don't eat a lot of meat (2 or 3 times a week max) and no meat that is unethical is allowed in my house. We have a great relationship with a local organic-free range farmer where we get our bacon. Yum.
  20. AlexOfAnders
    20

    Why honey?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    If you cut out any food that's a by product of animals including bees, aren't bees & wasps responsible for pollinated a giant percent of the crops in north america? I mean, why not enjoy the honey too is all I'm getting at since crops are basically a by-product of bees already.
  21. whethergirl
    21

    @Mondaysman

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by whethergirl
    Thanks for the tips last hour about places to hunt down in Montreal!
  22. whethergirl
    22

    Vegan baking

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by whethergirl
    I first discovered vegan baking while in Melbourne a few years ago. A bakery there made the most delicious muffins and loaves I have ever had. No baking (vegan, homemade, or otherwise) has compared yet.

    I recently made some vegan brownies that are super yummy (although I wish I had a better food processor). They don't have flour in them either, mostly just beans and bananas. So they're also protein-fiber bars (pretty healthy for a brownie) and you don't have to stop at just one!
  23. octaviusiii
    23

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by octaviusiii
    If anyone wants to try vegan food and finds themselves in San Francisco, make sure to check out Café Gratitude: vegan raw-foods restaurant, boo-yah!

    A concern: how does this work for babies? I've heard horror stories of children starving because of vegan diets, as they need significantly more animal protein/fats than the average adult.
  24. Absotively
    24

    @octaviusiii

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by Absotively
    A lot of vegans breastfeed (human mothers can consent in a way that animals can't).

    Formula-fed vegan babies need actual (soy-based) baby formula. Most of the horror stories involve people substituting normal soy milk or other non-formula things for formula.
  25. MONDAYSMAN
    25

    @whethergirl

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by MONDAYSMAN
    My pleasure :+) Let me know how you liked the old strip .
    Bon Voyage !
  26. brainwash
    26

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by brainwash
    Yeah, if I had kids, I'd rather they have some organic milk than anything else, be it either soy or pasturized.
  27. virtue
    27

    @AlexofAnders

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by virtue
    I completely share your eating habits: popcorn and meat, lots of meat!
    I think I would find it unnecessarily stressful not to eat meat for week. If you eat a balanced diet with a little bit of everything, I think that is more healthy than going to extremes.
  28. AlexOfAnders
    28

    @virtue

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    Yeah, I'm all for the moderation. I may love my meats but I appreciate all foods, veggies & fruit included of course. You just have to eat sensibly, like, I may love a good steak but I don't like eating a giant 14 oz porterhouse or anything. It's just too much. I'd take a nice 8oz rib eye or something any day.

    Oh yeah, anyone have any good kale recipes? I love the stuff but I don't know what to do with it past regular kinda fried in a pan with garlic and/or balsamic.
  29. posterofagirl
    29

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by posterofagirl
    love meat and honey, hate milk. actually very much disgusted by milk. would love to try being vegan..but dont like the effort haha.

    vegan desserts are theeeee best!!!!! once made a tofu choc cake vegan style, and it was deeelightful.
  30. emef
    30

    @AlexOfAnders

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by emef
    Mmmm kale, one of my favorite veggies. I love it sauteed with garlic and red pepper flakes or steamed. I get a lot of my kale recipes from: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/ The white bean and kale soup and polenta and kale casserole are really good!
  31. MONDAYSMAN
    31

    @Meghan Telpner

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by MONDAYSMAN
    I have a friend with Crohns disease Meghan . How has veganism held up to it ?
  32. ACG
    32

    CHEESE

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by ACG
    I need cheese too badly to go full out vegan... but 5 days is definitely doable.

    Meat is gross anyways.
  33. ACG
    33

    @emef

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by ACG
    blog.fatfreevegan.com is AMAZING!!!!!!
  34. AlexOfAnders
    34

    @emef

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    Wow, awesome kale recipes on there!
    I wanna make some kale chips to bring into work. That's as awesome as cauliflower popcorn from the Surreal Gourmet http://www.foodtv.ca/recipes/recipedetails.aspx?dishid=7182
  35. MeghanT
    35

    Breast Feeding and Veggie Diet for Crohn's

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by MeghanT
    As for the breast-feeding, there is no singly food that is more important to the health of the baby than a mother's milk. It is essential for building the immune system, creating a balanced environment to sustain and build a healthy little wee one. The next best, I would have to say is Goat's Milk- preferably before soy or any other kind of formula. I know, neither vegan nor veggie but so it goes- nutritionally speaking for infants.

    As for the Crohn's issue- I have been predominantly veg for the better part of the last 3 years- the same amount of time I have been in remission (or healed as I prefer to call it) from Crohn's. It all depends on the person and their state of health. Some veggie based foods can be tough to break down for someone who is in the midst of a flare-up. As well, if someone is very underweight and suffering from major deficiencies, animal sourced foods like fish or chicken broth can be very nourishing. For the most part though- a veggie diet of whole, unprocessed foods will totally hold it's own with this disease. There are, however, many factors in addition to diet that play a role.
  36. virtue
    36

    @AlexofAnders

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by virtue
    I have cauliflower, I love popcorn, therefore I will try it tonight. It looks weird though.
  37. AlexOfAnders
    37

    @virtue

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    It's never worked quite as well for me as it does on his show but I still liked it. I used to strongly dislike cauliflower as a kid. Always thought "Why are we eating this when we could have broccoli?"
    Guess I've always loved broccoli.
  38. Lana Gay
    38

    Propagandhi Vegan Clip

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by Lana Gay
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_CjK-yY2WM
  39. CDNz1
    39

    Re: Today on Lanarama: Foodie Friday! Veganism! Can You Go Vegan for 5 Days?

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by CDNz1
    Greetings fellow meatasauruses...

    Vegan for 5 days? 5 days without bacon, beef or balut? No cheesy scrambled eggs for breakfast? I don't get the honey thing either.

    Vegan for 5 days? I doubt I could do 5 hours.
  40. TeamQuiggan
    40

    I went Vegan for 5 days

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by TeamQuiggan
    In my first year of University I went vegan for 5 days, I already didn't drink milk because of my medication. I felt depressed, tired and constantly hungry, so I stopped.

    I used to get my meat from a local butcher, but they closed to open a Subway.
  41. whethergirl
    41

    Kale

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by whethergirl
    A simple way to prepare kale is to spritz it lightly with oil (optional), sprinkle with salt (also optional) and broil it (needs to be flipped half way through before it burns) or heat it in a frying pan. You end up with Kale Crisps!
    Only good fresh. Mostly I like the crunch texture.
  42. MeghanT
    42

    The Environmental Impact

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by MeghanT
    Something else to think about:

    "According to a 2006 United Nations initiative, the livestock industry is one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation worldwide, and modern practices of raising animals for food contributes on a "massive scale" to deforestation, air and water pollution, land degradation, loss of topsoil, climate change, the overuse of resources including oil and water, and loss of biodiversity. The initiative concluded that the livestock sector emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global.
    Animals fed on grain need more water than grain crops. In tracking food animal production from the feed through to the dinner table, the inefficiencies of meat, milk and egg production range from a 4:1 energy input to protein output ratio up to 54:1. The result is that producing animal-based food is typically much less efficient than the harvesting of grains, vegetables, legumes, seeds and fruits.
    The environmental impacts of animal production vary with the method of production. Grazing-based production can limit soil erosion and also allow farmers to control pest problems with less pesticides through rotating crops with grass. In arid areas, however, it may as well catalyze a desertification process. In a world that utilizes around 30 percent of its surface to raise livestock, it is important to recognize the potential effects grazing has on the soil ".
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_vegetarianism
  43. Lana Gay
    43

    Re: Kale

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by Lana Gay
    I think I may be the only one who eats it raw, but if you mix the juice of a lemon with some olive oil, garlic and salt, toss it in with the kale and give it 10 minutes to do it's magic, you have a beautiful falvourful crunchy salad. I'm addicted, really.
  44. TeamQuiggan
    44

    Sorry but I don't buy it

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by TeamQuiggan
    I always thought it was a strange argument when Veg/Vegans would bring up taste. It doesn't taste better, I've had a bunch of Vegan Cooking from good Vegan cooks and its good, but not better. For some reason it feels like a dishonest point.
  45. CDNz1
    45

    @ Lana

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by CDNz1
    The kale salad sounds great, I'll try it.
    I'll also try bacon-wrapped broccoli on the grill with a cheese sauce drizzle.
  46. octaviusiii
    46

    @Lana Gay

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by octaviusiii
    You're not the only one, but I've always thought raw Kale tasted a bit like the grass did whenever I'd wipe out in soccer. Maybe I'm just weird, though... It is pretty good raw with rice, weirdly. Cooked rice, of course.
  47. AlexOfAnders
    47

    @octaviusiii

    Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    Really? I always thought kale tasted like broccoli in a leafy form (and better!) but I love leafy greens. Mmmm, collard greens.
  48. Xeno
    48

    Opposite of vegan

    Posted on Sep 12, 2009 by Xeno
    I'm actually going carnivore this year. i think its really unhealthy not to eat meat and fat. saturated fat is actually really awesome for you. following the paleo lifestyle, and staying healthy.
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