I thought this was an interesting article on obesity and vegetarians: http://www.goveg.com/obese.html
Now, if only it applied to me (lol!) I've been a vegetarian for about 8 years, but never been vegan. Maybe I'll try going vegan for a bit and see if it works. Although, I can't see me giving up eggs or cheese.
Those of you who are vegan, what are your main sources of protein and calcium each day? I love the fake meat products (cold cuts, veggie dogs, etc.) and beans, but what else is there to help me stay away from cheeeeeeeeeeeeeese?
Thanks for any input,

I don't think I could ever go vegan.
I'm only a part-time vegetarian (3 days a week).
No cheese, that's like taking away chocolate.

I was Vegan for about two years and I ate alot of the soy cheese which they keep next to the fake meat in the supermarket. It was tough since no one in my family understood me being a vegetarian, much less a vegan. My mom and grandmother would say, "oh right, you don't eat meat, we'll cook chicken". DUH! Oh well.
So I basically stopped being Vegan because I had a hard time with getting enough nutrients etc and I was too skinny. Go figure, now I am on JC. Funny how life works.
Have a great day!!

OK so what is a vegan????

A vegetarian doesn't eat meat - A vegan doesn't eat or use any animal products at all. That means they don't eat eggs, cheese, honey, etc. and normally don't wear fur, leather, wool, etc. It really is something I think about from time to time, but being a vegan would be so much harder than being a plain ol' vegetarian. Baby steps..... I'll try baby steps (lol!!)

I'm not quite sure if I am a true vegan, but I am pretty close. I love beans - make bean chili, bean tacos or burritos, or toss them into a salad. Vegetarian burgers or sausages are great! I always have a Luna bar (sold in stores near power bars etc.) for breakfast - 10g of protein, plus 35% daily calcium, and only 180 cals. Soy milk in blender with frozen fruit - one of my favorite snacks (8 oz of milk) or sometimes as a quick lunch (16 - 20 oz of milk). Good protein plus all the calcium!
Minimize cheese intake - too much fat!
I feel extremely healthy with the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle, but you have to be conscious of your protein intake to make sure you get enough.
My cholesterol is 145! And I believe it is my diet - both my parents have high cholesterol.
I try to eat minimum 40 g of protein a day. Usually around 50 g.
I hope this helped!
Good luck!
pandi

I usually have eggs once a week and cheese twice a week. I like it on my Veggie Burger and on my Sunshine Sandwich.
And I crave Tuna salad, like once a month. Will have to read that interesting article.

I know that Actress that used to play on the sitcome Taxi is a vegan. She swears by it and has wrote books on it.
I haven't been able to pull it of yet, but I do admire anyone who can pull it off.
I would still need my Papa Joe's or Donato's Pizza at least one slice once a month.