How do you deal with the Cravings?

[Lou]

Hi, bibibis, I'm glad you refreshed this thread,

there was a lot of things I had planned to say to the OP but then he just sort of disappeared. And he hadn't seem very receptive to other people's suggestions.

but this is a common problem so may I'll just quickly respond to some of the things you said.

Since the OP said he was craving pizza (which has tomatoes) and meat-based burgers, I couldn't help but wonder if those kinds of cravings may stem partly from a need for more iron.

As I said earlier, cravings are very unreliable. They do happened but it's Way more likely that he craves pizza for the salt or the nostalgia.

Another thing I read, and also don't remember where, is that cow milk can actually reduce the absorption of iron from other foods eaten with it.

That is true about milk. Calcium reduces iron absorbing. And milk has calcium.
Also vitamin C improves iron absorption. Orange juice has Vitamin C. so if you were taking an iron supplement, take it with OJ, not milk.

I was slightly anemic before I became vegan. Probably just didn't have a good enough diet. but a vegan who eats a variety of healthy foods will get enough iron.

 

[Deleted member 3018]

It doesn't make much sense, but I guess food has a lot to do with memories and nostalgia and all that stuff... Eating can be a very social thing.

So I think the easiest way, at least for some people, would be to get vegan friends and have hang-out nights with vegan food.
Creating new memories around cruelty free food.

There is a lot of vegan junk food out there. There is even vegan tuna now-a-days. So no need to eat animals really...
And if you are like "well, vegan junk is expensive..."
You don't have to eat it every night, just once a month. You'll get used to waiting for the junk food night.

Or idk. That's just what comes to mind right now. But I'm stupid so what ever...

 

[bEt]

That is true about milk. Calcium reduces iron absorbing. And milk has calcium.

I think I read it may have something to do with the casein, too. . . ?

 

[VeganScientist]

For a straightforward, practical solution from a neuroscientist I suggest pulling up some footage from a relevant documentary. When I used to crave cheese I would watch Cowspiracy or Earthlings. Bacon - Dominion. It’s always worked for me. I hope someone finds it helpful.

 

[VeganRachel]

Hi there,

I've been Vegetarian for 5 years now with the exception that I will eat a can of Tuna every few months just to keep healthy. But sometimes I get the maddest cravings for a burger or pizza, like very intense cravings.

I can somewhat justify eating small amounts of Tuna as A: My intake is extremely conservative and B: According to science, Fish such as Tuna don't go through complex emotions or feel pain to the extent of other sentient life forms.

I do feel bad for consuming milk and Yogurt which is all of my dairy intake. But those represent my favorite foods in life. I don't even know if I could imagine life without milk. The substitutes I've tried don't taste anything like the real thing and apparently, Soy can be problematic in large and frequent doses.

Anyway, sort of going off-topic there. Just wanted to give some context.

Lately, I've been craving a pizza with pepperoni on it. I can't explain why. I have been eating Quorn imitation meat products for years, And while they taste pretty good, they are also prohibitively expensive and don't quite hit the same spot as real meat or give any animal fats or vitamins.

I was so close to giving in the other day, trying to justify to myself that I've been a good boy for so long and it's only a small portion, but then my reason kicked in and I realized that if only a handful of people thought that way, that would be another cow being murdered.

I don't even know what I want to accomplish by posting this. Maybe if anything people know ways to make the craving go away. Thanks for reading and appreciate any input.

Hi, you have made some effort, good for you. However you are dismissing the life and sentience of land animals and marine animals by your
habits. Watch the documentaries "Seaspiracy", "cowspiracy" and "earthlings". Volunteer at a farm animal sanctuary.
No offense, but consider some other being besides just yourself!.

 

[Clairey]

O

Hi there,

I've been Vegetarian for 5 years now with the exception that I will eat a can of Tuna every few months just to keep healthy. But sometimes I get the maddest cravings for a burger or pizza, like very intense cravings.

I can somewhat justify eating small amounts of Tuna as A: My intake is extremely conservative and B: According to science, Fish such as Tuna don't go through complex emotions or feel pain to the extent of other sentient life forms.

I do feel bad for consuming milk and Yogurt which is all of my dairy intake. But those represent my favorite foods in life. I don't even know if I could imagine life without milk. The substitutes I've tried don't taste anything like the real thing and apparently, Soy can be problematic in large and frequent doses.

Anyway, sort of going off-topic there. Just wanted to give some context.

Lately, I've been craving a pizza with pepperoni on it. I can't explain why. I have been eating Quorn imitation meat products for years, And while they taste pretty good, they are also prohibitively expensive and don't quite hit the same spot as real meat or give any animal fats or vitamins.

I was so close to giving in the other day, trying to justify to myself that I've been a good boy for so long and it's only a small portion, but then my reason kicked in and I realized that if only a handful of people thought that way, that would be another cow being murdered.

I don't even know what I want to accomplish by posting this. Maybe if anything people know ways to make the craving go away. Thanks for reading and appreciate any input.

oat milk (vanilla oatly is the one i like). oat yoghurt. Alpro soya yoghurt has got some nice flavours.
The sharks need the tuna. They come inland looking for food as the fisherman have taken all the fish.

 

[Brian W]

For a straightforward, practical solution from a neuroscientist I suggest pulling up some footage from a relevant documentary. When I used to crave cheese I would watch Cowspiracy or Earthlings. Bacon - Dominion. It’s always worked for me. I hope someone finds it helpful.

I agree. Cravings are most likely psychosomatic as a result of the enjoyment level of the food one is craving. I really don't buy the idea that it is because of a nutrient need. The best solution therefore, at least for anybody with any empathy at all, is to watch a good video like the ones you mentioned.

 

[VeganRachel]

I agree. Cravings are most likely psychosomatic as a result of the enjoyment level of the food one is craving. I really don't buy the idea that it is because of a nutrient need. The best solution therefore, at least for anybody with any empathy at all, is to watch a good video like the ones you mentioned.

Hi, I do believe sometimes "vegans" do not eat healthfully and do not eat beans, get enough protein, iron, etcetera
and cravings can result from that...

 

[VeganRachel]

there was a lot of things I had planned to say to the OP but then he just sort of disappeared. And he hadn't seem very receptive to other people's suggestions.

but this is a common problem so may I'll just quickly respond to some of the things you said.



As I said earlier, cravings are very unreliable. They do happened but it's Way more likely that he craves pizza for the salt or the nostalgia.


That is true about milk. Calcium reduces iron absorbing. And milk has calcium.
Also vitamin C improves iron absorption. Orange juice has Vitamin C. so if you were taking an iron supplement, take it with OJ, not milk.

I was slightly anemic before I became vegan. Probably just didn't have a good enough diet. but a vegan who eats a variety of healthy foods will get enough iron.

Yes, cows milk causes iron deficincies in babies. And cows milk has TONS of estrogens in it. Not healthy for men or women to consume.

 

[Mufflon]

Cravings?

Luckily there are so many substitutes around these days that I can usually feed my cravings. Yesterday I wanted some Doener and I made myself a pocket with all vegan ingredients.

 

[VeganRachel]

Cravings?

Luckily there are so many substitutes around these days that I can usually feed my cravings. Yesterday I wanted some Doener and I made myself a pocket with all vegan ingredients.

YES there are TONS of choices, and multiple one's in frozen food boxes and elsewhere.

 

[christen_g]

I deal with cravings by indulging them.

 

[christen_g]

I should add.... Sounds like some of you guys have not what most people would consider cravings but "security blanket" foods.

If price is a concern.... in most places grains and beans are the lowest dollar per calorie foods you can get. And you dont need much else. Some vitamin B12. And a vegetable now and then (spices are vegetables too, dont forget!).

"But what about protein?"
Unless your doc or personal trainer DXs you with a protein insufficiency, you shouldnt be worrying about this.
And if you have been DXd this... you can order protein powder in bulk for cheap
Naked Protein sells a 5lb tub of plain pea protein. Minus shipping, it works out to 0.028 $ a gram of protein. Buy two tubs and shipping is free.
At my discount grocery store they have a sale right now on T-bones, 7 bucks a pound, which is 0.079 $ a gram of protein.

 

[silva]

I should add.... Sounds like some of you guys have not what most people would consider cravings but "security blanket" foods.

If price is a concern.... in most places grains and beans are the lowest dollar per calorie foods you can get. And you dont need much else. Some vitamin B12. And a vegetable now and then (spices are vegetables too, dont forget!).

"But what about protein?"
Unless your doc or personal trainer DXs you with a protein insufficiency, you shouldnt be worrying about this.
And if you have been DXd this... you can order protein powder in bulk for cheap
Naked Protein sells a 5lb tub of plain pea protein. Minus shipping, it works out to 0.028 $ a gram of protein. Buy two tubs and shipping is free.
At my discount grocery store they have a sale right now on T-bones, 7 bucks a pound, which is 0.079 $ a gram of protein.

Well I post here what I'm 'craving"!
Just made some candied walnuts which took care of that quickly
Not sure what you mean about the protein thing. I can't imagine craving protein powder, and beans and grains are regulars, so...
It's more like things you don't have often, but want.

Edit--oops! Thought this was the "what are you craving" thread!

Yeah, way too many vegan things to crave. Have to say though, there are things I come across and really only stay away out of respect. (dam pizzas)

 

[christen_g]

I have to stay away from sat fats. But everytime i walk past the ice cream shop, i crave....
So i just try to have it for special occasions, like on a really hot day and im boiling and hungry!
Works for me.

 

[FredVegrox]

I have brushed some a bad way maybe for not wording my input carefully, I want to explain that I got past cravings without it taking really long, and explain that for any who want to know how I did that for myself. It basically is finding what I like the most of vegan choices, and now of the healthy choices that is of whole foods, that satisfy me so well. Now, for me, myself, it is with using hummus a lot. Besides being a dip, it is good for a spread and I use it almost all the time for sandwiches. The rare exceptions are with using tempeh for a burger sort of sandwich. I maked cooked meals almost all the time with hummus and with salsa, and with seasonings I have a really good sauce I really really like, for potatoes or pasta with vegetables mixed in.

 

[priyadogra]

Don't watch a video/web series that shows delicious food.