Steps :
- Examine why you're questioning veganism. If it is because you are not up to the challenge in finding alternatives, consider simply modifying your approach. Maybe consuming a few dairy products or egg products while your at friends' houses or restaurants would work for you. Maybe allowing the dough conditioner in most store bought bread would ease the stress you're feeling. Is it only dessert time that's a challenge? Try carrying a little vegan chocolate with you so you always have that indulgence when you need a little pick-me-up.
- Examine why you became a vegan in the first place. Perhaps you were raised to believe in this. Or saw bad animal farming footage. Perhaps you read that vegans are healthier.
- Read some research from the other side. A good start are the names and links found on this page. Low carb research can also be useful in debunking certain misconceptions about animal products. For more information on the misinterpretation of certain study results, consult Byrnes' article below on vegetarian myths. Consider your sources. Many vegan health advocates (Ornish, Campbell) are affiliated with the PCRM, which is connected to PETA-an animal rights organization.
- Examine yourself. Are you as healthy? Have your medical tests improved? Remember there are essential fatty and amino acids specific to animal products. While there are alternatives to certain nutrients (e.g. iron, b12) some people just cannot absorb them efficiently in their vegan form and are therefore not suited to veganism. Soy, a common vegan meat substitute, can be harmful when consumed in large amounts on a regular basis. Bear in mind that Asian consumption of soy is actually quite low, and their soy is fermented so as to lessen its harmful effects. Soy has been shown to interfere with thyroid function and its phytoestrogens linked to birth defects. BeyondVeg in the links section offers personal testimonials and nutritional info to suggest some people may not be well suited to strict veganism for the long term.
- Understand that not all animals are kept in horrible, unhealthy conditions pre-slaughter. If you don't object to the shortened life-span issue or the environmental stresses issue, you can buy meat from small local producers, free range eggs, wild fish and so on.
- Understand that, traditionally, all cultures had some animal products. There are virtually no cultures that were completely vegan. The Hunzas are often used as examples of the vegan ideal people, and indeed, they were extremely healthy. However, they were not vegans! They consumed much dairy in the form of goat cheese and also some meat. Some of the world's healthiest cultures were omnivores.
- Consider going vegetarian. If you have been vegan for a long time, it may be hard to eat meat in addition to milk, eggs, and other animal-based products. Try vegetarianism until you feel comfortable with it, then move on to eating meat if you still want to.
- If you are sure you want to stop being vegan, start slowly. If you haven't eaten any animal products for your entire life (or even for several years) suddenly consuming meat and dairy products can make you sick. Begin with foods that have some milk or eggs, then slowly move over to meat, if you still want to. If you feel sick, remember not to push yourself and that it takes time for your body to adjust to digesting different products.
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