Need some advice (always hungry)

Bronco77 · Jul 22, 2006

Hey everyone. 
I am going kind of crazy here . I been Vegan for less then a week and I am kind of feeling hungry. I eat like i should . Yesterday i had a vegie stir fry . Later on in the night I had some peanuts for a snack and was still hungry so I had a Veggie Burger. I am really missing my sweets , I am a big sweet tooth . And usually have chocolate or some kind of sweet. I don't live in a big city and the small stores here in my small town do not cater too much to vegans. There is the soy milk ( which i have yet to try). But other then that , not much else other then the freezer isle . but i have brought that up in my other post. 
What I am getting to is that i am still not feeling full and not feeling satisfed. I think i read a problem like this in the past , and sorry to maybe be repeating something , but feeling jipped in a way by not having much to satisfy my tastes. But I am proud that i went vagan and am making a healthy and moral choise. 
Any ideas on what i should do? 
Thanks , 
Greg

karenlovessnow · Jul 22, 2006

I pretty much had the same problem when I first went vegan, mainly because I didn't know what I was doing. From what I've gathered you need to fill up protein and healthy fats - tofu, tempeh, beans/legumes, avocado - in order to feel satisfied. Concerning your sweet tooth, I'm guessing if you are old enough to go to the store for groceries, you could try making some yummy vegan desserts like brownies and cookies. They taste great and will help satisfy your sweet cravings. Check out VB's food section. There are a lot of great recipes there! Good luck and congratulations on your new vegan status! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

Bronco77 · Jul 22, 2006

thanks , but i am not sure about tofu , i been told it takes like crap ! 
and i like to make a dessert , but not sure where i would find things to subiture the butter or what not , the milk is easy , but the other are hard ! . And i love to bake . 
My family made brownies the other night , ahhhh !!! No fair !! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> LOL

karenlovessnow · Jul 22, 2006

Tofu is definitely an acquired taste....not that it has much flavor...it pretty much takes on the taste of whatever you are cooking with it...but the texture is usually what turns people off. Earth balance is a butter replacement that is so good, you can eat it plain on toast or a bagel, it's that good IMO. Most supermarkets carry it. It's all I buy and my omni husband doesn't know the difference. I'm pretty sure Betty Crocker has a vegan brownie mix. You can use a small amount of tofu and some ground flax seed to subtitute for the egg. They come out really good and you don't taste the tofu.

MaryC1999 · Jul 22, 2006

I'm always hungry. My husband thinks it's funny. I've never been a big eater but the past few months I'm always nibbling something. I eat, I'm full, then about 90 minutes later I'm hungry again! Of course I don't like beans, nuts or avocados which is what I usually see recommended for eating. 
I keep around lots of easy snacks, pretzels, fruits, etc. 
With tofu, I'm not too fond of tofu. Not the taste so much (it doesn't taste like much of anything) but the texture is too mushy for me. I've had good luck with cutting it into strips and dipping the strips in breading and cornstarch and then frying. You can also freeze it then thaw and cook to change the texture. If you can find tempeh, though, tempeh rocks. It's got a nice, semi-firm texture and a really strong, rich flavor. I don't find it fills me up any better but it's pretty tasty! 
If you miss sweets that much and you feel gipped that could be your problem though. It's a psychological craving and you continue to feel hungry until you get what it is you're craving. What do you miss most? I might be able to come up with something that'll work in it's place. I make lots of desserts for my husband and kids. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
Mary

meatless · Jul 22, 2006

Tofu absolutely does NOT taste like crap when it's cooked properly. My husband and I used to dislike it (him in particular) but now he asks for it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> Television and the media have just given it a bad reputation. 
Do you even have a health food store where you live? I grew up in a small town of 1,800 people that was a few hours from any cities and we had a health food store there. 
Check out my food blog for some ideas. It's not huge yet but it has a variety of foods on it. I'm happy to give you recipes etc. if you find something that interests you. <a href="http://pamelasfoodandstuff.blogspot.com" target="_blank">http://pamelasfoodandstuff.blogspot.com</a> 
I also have a sweet tooth. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> I have dessert every night. As for subbing butter, there are lots of margarines around that are vegan, or very close to being vegan (i.e. if you could find one that's vegan except for the D3 then I'd say you might as well use it.) Have you read all the margarine labels? Where I am the only vegan margarine available is earth balance, but there have been threads here where lots of other regional brands have been mentioned that you may have access to.

flvegnewbie · Jul 22, 2006

Meatless, I would LOVE the Thai coconut curry recipe!! They all sound soo good!!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/hungry.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":hungry:"> 
Michelle

meatless · Jul 22, 2006

I have to admit, I sort of cheated on that one. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> After trying to make a coconut curry using Thai Table curry paste about a zillion times (it's hot, but I find it sort of bitter) I went to the asian market and found these little cans of red curry paste by the brand "Maesri." (<a href="http://www.maesribrand.com/Can.htm" target="_blank">http://www.maesribrand.com/Can.htm</a>) They're dirt cheap. You add coconut milk and water to it, and simmer whatever veggies you want in it until they're the softness you want. It tastes exactly like the dry red curry I get at the Thai restaurant! 
If you can't find that, you can always get a little jar of Thai Table red curry paste, and mix it judiciously with coconut milk, water, oil, basil, and sweetener (I use agave). I could never really get the exact flavour I wanted from it, but it could just be me!

sallyomally · Jul 22, 2006

Greg, 
Go over to the recipe thread. I'm posting a very quick and delicious 
no bake cookie recipe that will fill you up and help your sweet 
tooth. My family totally loves it.

Bronco77 · Jul 22, 2006

thanks for the advice everyone , but here is my problem , i don't think any of my local grocery stores carry this stuff . The only major store that is grocery is WAL-MART and i did not really look around , but think they do not carry and of the stuff that i need. 
We do have a health food store , but it is dinky and no one ever goes to it , and i am kind of nervous about going and buying anything from there. I use to get all my food and products from the grocery store. 
It 4:14pm and all i had so far is oatmeal this morning. It is really hard to find anything , and i seem to be repeating myself on the stuff that i am eating. 
I think i am doing something wrong and not sure about it .

MaryC1999 · Jul 22, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Bronco77 <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
thanks for the advice everyone , but here is my problem , i don't think any of my local grocery stores carry this stuff . The only major store that is grocery is WAL-MART and i did not really look around , but think they do not carry and of the stuff that i need. 
We do have a health food store , but it is dinky and no one ever goes to it , and i am kind of nervous about going and buying anything from there. I use to get all my food and products from the grocery store. 
It 4:14pm and all i had so far is oatmeal this morning. It is really hard to find anything , and i seem to be repeating myself on the stuff that i am eating. 
I think i am doing something wrong and not sure about it .</div>
</div>
 
Yes you are doing something wrong! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
#1 Go to the health food store. I doubt no one ever goes to it or it wouldn't be in business. I used to think the HFS by me was always empty too until I went in there. On one saturday it was so packed I could barely find what I needed to! If you're concerned about the age of the stuff on the shelves check expiration dates. Trust me when you don't use health food stores it always seems like no one is in there. Most of them are dinky, they don't need to carry a whole lot. 
#2 Is this a regular walmart or a super walmart with a grocery? We have a super Walmart and they DO have tofu as well as vegan BOCA products, morningstar farms products and even a few basic flavors of Soy Delicious ice cream (though you have to look WAY on the very bottom of the case where it's squished in between regular cheap-o dairy brands. Walmarts generic brand also has bread, crackers, rolls, chocolate chips and some other snacks that just happen to be vegan. They sell O Soy yogurt too if you like yogurt. 
I live in a unveganfriendly place too. Believe me. Just as a rough guide, tofu is in the produce section, most of the rest of the stuff is mixed in. You just have to flip over the package and read the back. 
#3 You don't NEED specialty foods to eat a variety with a vegan diet, they're just easy, convenient or nice treats. I'm positive you have a produce section in one of your local markets don't you? You can make a wide variety of foods with just what you find in there, nothing else needed. 
#4 You can always resort to ordering some specialty items (like nutritional yeast, tamari and miso)online. There are some great vegan stores that also sell vegan chocolates and cooking supplies. 
Go in the health food store. Don't be intimidated. A lot of the stores are more than happy to order things for you too so you might even be able to get vegan cheeses or sour cream. You'll probably easily find tofu and tempeh in there. 
What are you looking for? Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks? All of the above? Give us an idea and I'm sure we can put together something for you with easy to find ingredients. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
Mary

Bronco77 · Jul 23, 2006

Thanks Mary . Yeah It is a super walmart with a grocery store. And i neve knew that there was porducts like that in the store , next time i go there i have to look a little closer and take my time . But as far as i could see i could not find any kiind of vegan candybars or choclate, but then maybe i was not looking close enough. 
I will have to try to stop by the health food store. Right now i am unemployed and staying with my family broke , so kind of hard to get anythind right now , kind of have to scrape a look closely to find things in the house or go out and buy something once in awhile. 
Yeah i need ideas for all meals of the day. But my worse one is snacking , and having something sweet with choclate once in awhile. But i read these recipes that are on here and hardly know what half of them are and i am sure they are 1 # not available in my local grocery and 2 # cost some more money wise to purchese them. 
But i am hoping that i can get this figured out. I been thinking about the future and what i am going to do eating wise and not sure about it. 
But thanks again and hope to get as much advice as possible. 
only been doing this for less then a week now as a Vegan . Not sure if i should just go vegitarian and go back to milk products or not. 
Though i hate the idea of having millk itself plain very much. and the idea of the baby cows that are taken away from their mothers. 
And truefully who would want to have a human mothers milk? no one ! so i think why would i want milk from some other kind of species of animal . But seems so big of part of everything we eat , kind of difficult. Not sure how to do this , and still afraid of even buying soy milk .

Gentian · Jul 23, 2006

First off, I applaud you for everything you're doing, at considerable inconvenience to yourself. 
But secondly -- I suggest easing yourself into this more gradually. 
Whether you feel it or not, it's stressful to be unemployed, and it can be difficult to live at home if you're used to being on your own. A major change in diet is also a stressor; it requires energy, focus, and sometimes extra money, at least until you figure out which new foods you like and which you don't. 
Trying to be become vegan and find a job all at once is very difficult and divides your energy needlessly. Both efforts will suffer as a result. 
Why not just be a regular vegetarian until you find a job? You can use your extra time now to find more vegan resources in your area and try out new vegan foods. Once you're employed, it will be much easier to start, you'll know what to eat and where to get it, and the vegan lifestyle will be more likely to stick with you. Until then, I advise easing up on yourself. In the midst of a job search is no time to be going hungry. 
-Gentian, who knows because she's put herself through all kinds of hardships for no good reason.

Tweety · Jul 23, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by meatless <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I have to admit, I sort of cheated on that one. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> After trying to make a coconut curry using Thai Table curry paste about a zillion times (it's hot, but I find it sort of bitter) I went to the asian market and found these little cans of red curry paste by the brand "Maesri." (<a href="http://www.maesribrand.com/Can.htm" target="_blank">http://www.maesribrand.com/Can.htm</a>) They're dirt cheap. You add coconut milk and water to it, and simmer whatever veggies you want in it until they're the softness you want. It tastes exactly like the dry red curry I get at the Thai restaurant! 
If you can't find that, you can always get a little jar of Thai Table red curry paste, and mix it judiciously with coconut milk, water, oil, basil, and sweetener (I use agave). I could never really get the exact flavour I wanted from it, but it could just be me!</div>
</div>
 
I love that brand, but are you 100% there isn't "shrimp paste" or some fish sauce in it??? Lots of authentic Thai food is suitable for veg*ns for this reason.

karenlovessnow · Jul 23, 2006

I was ordering stuff online because I had assumed that my local grocery store, and even the Mrs. Green's, didn't carry what I was looking for. It never occurred to me that they might have certain items because I never needed them before. You really do need to make a few trips and browse through the different sections of the store, when you have the time. I agree with Gentian, don't worry if it's going to take you a little longer to get to where you want to be diet wise. You are on the right track! Good luck with finding a job, too! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

meatless · Jul 23, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Tweety <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I love that brand, but are you 100% there isn't "shrimp paste" or some fish sauce in it??? Lots of authentic Thai food is suitable for veg*ns for this reason.</div>
</div>
 
Yep, 100% sure. I read the label a zillion times before we bought it. 
Some of them do have it, but this one doesn't. 
OK ETA: I just checked the ingredients, and the English ingredents etched onto the can state: 
Chili 35%, garlic 23%, Shallot 20%, salt 7%, lemon grass 6%, spices 5%, sugar 3%, galangal 1% 
That adds up to 100%. 
However, one of my cans has a french label sticker on it in addition to the english ingredients list that says "pate de crevetta" which means shrimp paste... but the french label also doesn't include "sugar" or "spices" in the list, so I'm going to guess the wrong french ingredients list was put on it since it doesn't match up very closely with the english list.

meatless · Jul 23, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by karenlovessnow <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I was ordering stuff online because I had assumed that my local grocery store, and even the Mrs. Green's, didn't carry what I was looking for. It never occurred to me that they might have certain items because I never needed them before. You really do need to make a few trips and browse through the different sections of the store, when you have the time. I agree with Gentian, don't worry if it's going to take you a little longer to get to where you want to be diet wise. You are on the right track! Good luck with finding a job, too! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"></div>
</div>
 
Yep, when I first went veg and came here people were talking about all this stuff, and because I'd never heard of it I assumed that it wasn't available where I lived when in fact it was just that I hadn't actually LOOKED for it before. My husband and I spent hours browsing up and down aisles of places, and found all kinds of stuff we never knew existed before. 
My next door neighbour, for example, was shocked to learn you could buy soy ice cream at the grocery store across the street. She shouldn't have been; there's two large displays of it at the store. But she'd never looked for it, or thought to look for it, so she didn't see it.

raddish · Jul 23, 2006

Bronco77- my advice to you is to spend some time just having a good look around (walmarts, HFS, internet) to see what foods are available to you. 
Being vegan is not hard, but [at first, anyway] it does take some planning. 
You also need to be open to new ideas and not be prejudiced- I urge you to try soy milk, and if you don't like it at first, wait a month or so and then try again, maybe a different brand next time (they all taste different!). also remember there's always rice milk, almond milk etc.etc. 
Find a REALLY GOOD recipe for tofu, and try that, too. (but it really DOESNT taste of much, so if you don't like one tofu dish, there's bound to be another one out there that you do like!) 
Maybe try and get a hold of a good vegan cookbook from your library, or off amazon? Or there are LOTS of good websites for recipes- i like <a href="http://www.vegweb.com" target="_blank">www.vegweb.com</a> (not sure if the sites working at the minute tho) 
oooh and take a look at this <a href="http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/" target="_blank">http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/</a> 
Hope you can get through this- you sound like a very committed vege!!

penny79 · Jul 24, 2006

i realize you might not want to say where you live on the general board, but if not, just PM someone and we will try to help you find products in your area or send some help your way. 
some easy recipes are located at <a href="http://www.cok.net" target="_blank">www.cok.net</a>.

MaryC1999 · Jul 24, 2006

I've been trying to come up with some ideas but I need a bit more info. 
For example, do your parents object to any meals without meat? Are they open to trying new dishes or ethnic foods? What kind of produce do they normally buy? I realize it must be tough to rely on your family to help you through but I don't think that should make being vegan any tougher. If your family is even remotely flexible I think I have some great ideas for you, especially if they are open to eating lots of produce. They don't have to give up meat, if they eat lots of veggies already (which they should) or are open to trying dishes with a variety of veggies in them, the meat is easily added. 
Mary

Need some advice (always hungry)

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered