I can't be vegan :

[Gil1]

Regardless of how people judge vegetarians and compare it to omnivores, I think being vegetarian is quite easy. There are always plenty of food and recipes available. But considering veganism and removing dairy products on the diet is really different. I understand there are lots of alternatives to replace dairy ingredients such as soya-based products and vegetables spread. But the thought of not being able to eat chocolate and ice-cream is the worst thing I could ever imagine.

I really love sweets especially chocolates and ice-cream. I know there are also alternatives like choosing dark chocolate instead of milk-chocolate since most of the dark chocolates do not contain milk. There might also be dairy-free chocolates available in health food stores.

The main ingredient for ice-cream is milk and I don’t think it can be replaced with a non-dairy alternative. But there are still great choices like soya ice-cream that really taste good. Sorbet can also be an option, it is sweet and cold dessert just like ice-cream but it doesn’t contain dairy ingredients.

I know there are a lots of options to be dairy free but sometimes desserts are really tempting.

 

[Calliegirl]

I love, love, love chocolate. It was the last non-vegan thing I ate. I've found very satisfying replacements. There are good dark and non dairy milk candy bars. Go Max candy bars are delicious, they're similar to milky way, snickers, mounds, etc.
I make an awesome, very rich chocolate amaretto pie. Chocolate mocha soy ice cream. Vegan chocolate cake and cupcakes. I am in no way deprived of chocolate desserts. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what's available.

Take a look at some of these desserts.
http://www.theppk.com/category/recipe/desserts/

 

[Blobbenstein]

I'm not a vegan, I'm a strict(ish) vegetarian...that's easier....with the odd bit of bee's wax, or eggy cake or wotnot.

 

[Everleigh]

Hi Gil!I've been vegan for about eight years and I find desserts that taste even better than the ones I used to eat when I wasn't vegan.Some of the ice creams I
love are called So Delicious coconut milk ice cream.They come in bars and gallons and there are all sorts of flavors like cherry,chocolate,vanilla,mango,mint chip,turttle trails with nuts and butterscotch.Here's a link to their site. http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/products/coconut-milk-frozen-desserts

My regular grocery store carry these and so do some of the more larger chain groceries.As for chocolate there are lots of alternative chocolates that don't use milk that I think
are just as good.Such as Green&Blacks,Endangered Species chocolate bars which have grades of chocolate that go from light to darker ones.Also Ghirardelli makes chocolate chips that are vegan.

 

[Gil1]

Hi Gil!I've been vegan for about eight years and I find desserts that taste even better than the ones I used to eat when I wasn't vegan.Some of the ice creams I
love are called So Delicious coconut milk ice cream.They come in bars and gallons and there are all sorts of flavors like cherry,chocolate,vanilla,mango,mint chip,turttle trails with nuts and butterscotch.Here's a link to their site. http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/products/coconut-milk-frozen-desserts

My regular grocery store carry these and so do some of the more larger chain groceries.As for chocolate there are lots of alternative chocolates that don't use milk that I think
are just as good.Such as Green&Blacks,Endangered Species chocolate bars which have grades of chocolate that go from light to darker ones.Also Ghirardelli makes chocolate chips that are vegan.

A really big thanks. As much as I could I really avoid dairy products, especially those pure dairy products, smells really awful and doesn't taste good for my taste buds. I kept on looking for good quality non-dairy products.

 

[Blobbenstein]

Plamil has a good dairy chocolate sub:
http://www.plamilfoods.co.uk/dairy-free-chocolate/

I don't like dark chocolate that much, so I get the odd bar of theirs.

 

[shyvas]

A really big thanks. As much as I could I really avoid dairy products, especially those pure dairy products, smells really awful and doesn't taste good for my taste buds. I kept on looking for good quality non-dairy products.

I gather that you are in the US ? Have you ever tried to make your own dairy free desserts ?

I make my own ice cream and just add a large quantity of non dairy cream to make it thick and creamy.

 

[RascalsMom]

Everyone can be vegan! Have you tried vegan baking?

 

[Envy]

Everyone can be vegan!

Yes.

It's not going to be a viable option for everyone though.

 

[LuvOurMother]

the great thing about vegan chocolate and ice cream is it is almost always a healthier choice than chocolate and ice cream with dairy.
I make ice cream with frozen bananas and coconut milk, add in peanut butter or chocolate chunks or nuts or other fruit like strawberry, mango, lime, it is awesome and incredibly healthier than dairy ice cream (no added sugar too).
a way to make "milk chocolate" is to mix melted chocolate with coconut milk, temper it slowly and it turns into a beautifully smooth ganache or adjust the ratios of chocolate to coconut milk and make chocolate candies like peppermint patties, peanut butter cups, chocolate covered nuts or fruit, chocolate dipped frozen bananas, or mounds.

Saying you "can't be vegan" because of ice cream and sweets is kinda silly IMO. You certainly can be vegan, it really is not as hard you you think to switch to vegan chocolate and ice cream, you may even find you like it better and feel better after eating them. There are many reasons why a person cannot actually be vegan such as food allergies, digestive issues, food availability, mental health reasons, and more, desserts don't really compare to these reasons.

 

[Everleigh]

A really big thanks. As much as I could I really avoid dairy products, especially those pure dairy products, smells really awful and doesn't taste good for my taste buds. I kept on looking for good quality non-dairy products.

You are very welcome!

There are vegan/vegetarian desserts out there that will absolutely amaze you so don't give up!

 

[KLS52]

I'm guessing you mean to say you can't be vegan because you don't quite have the willpower yet. Be the best you can be, for now. If you are abstaining from eggs/dairy and your only "sin" is to have an occasional piece of milk chocolate or dairy ice cream, you are still doing better than someone who isn't even trying. Do you need the title of vegan? Be a vegetarian for now and you can work towards the goal of vegan as you become more familiar with the many non-dairy options and learn how to make some yummy desserts for yourself.

The Go Max candy bars are really good...I just had the butterfinger and almond joy.

 

[thefadedone]

Hi Gil!I've been vegan for about eight years and I find desserts that taste even better than the ones I used to eat when I wasn't vegan.

Indeed! Coconut milk ice cream and almond milk ice cream are so much better than dairy ice cream.
Gil- you really need to try these! There is so much variety in flavors and different products.

Check out these links:
http://www.godairyfree.org/dairy-free-information/new-to-the-dairy-free-diet-start-here
http://www.godairyfree.org/

If you try the alternatives and still can't give up dairy, then maybe the focusing on the cruelty factor will help you? Here are some very graphic links that show the horrific pain, torture and death that the cows endure in order to produce the ice cream and chocolate.
http://www.mercyforanimals.org/dairy/
http://www.milkiscruel.com/
http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/factory-farming/cows/dairy-industry/

 

[shyvas]

the great thing about vegan chocolate and ice cream is it is almost always a healthier choice than chocolate and ice cream with dairy.
I make ice cream with frozen bananas and coconut milk, add in peanut butter or chocolate chunks or nuts or other fruit like strawberry, mango, lime, it is awesome and incredibly healthier than dairy ice cream (no added sugar too).
a way to make "milk chocolate" is to mix melted chocolate with coconut milk, temper it slowly and it turns into a beautifully smooth ganache or adjust the ratios of chocolate to coconut milk and make chocolate candies like peppermint patties, peanut butter cups, chocolate covered nuts or fruit, chocolate dipped frozen bananas, or mounds.

Saying you "can't be vegan" because of ice cream and sweets is kinda silly IMO. You certainly can be vegan, it really is not as hard you you think to switch to vegan chocolate and ice cream, you may even find you like it better and feel better after eating them. There are many reasons why a person cannot actually be vegan such as food allergies, digestive issues, food availability, mental health reasons, and more, desserts don't really compare to these reasons.

Saying you love a particular type of food is far from being silly. The op was just stating a fact and a preference for a certain type of food. Being sincere is far from being 'silly' imo.

 

[shyvas]

MOD POST

Please bear in mind that this is a support forum for vegetarians. If you wish to challenge these ideals, please do so in either the Vegan or Debate forum. All irrelevent posts have been deleted.

 

[ledboots]

I thought I had posted this already, maybe it was a different thread, but I had trouble with chocolate more than anything when I went vegan. Here's the best chocolate cake ever, and vegan to boot.
http://chefchloe.com/sweets/haunted-halloween-layer-cake.html

 

[ledboots]

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[Moll Flanders]

I think being vegan is far harder than being vegetarian and I found certain things like food cravings and eating out very difficult at first.

Now I try to always keep vegan chocolate and treats in the house so if I have a craving I know I can have something tasty. I even carry vegan food in my bag when I'm out so I know I won't go hungry or be tempted if I see non-vegan food.

 

[shyvas]

I think being vegan is far harder than being vegetarian and I found certain things like food cravings and eating out very difficult at first.

Now I try to always keep vegan chocolate and treats in the house so if I have a craving I know I can have something tasty. I even carry vegan food in my bag when I'm out so I know I won't go hungry or be tempted if I see non-vegan food.

Do you mean plain chocolate or non dairy milk chocolate Molls ?

I also think it is a good idea to have some snack on hand, as one is always tempted when shopping or elsewhere.
I always have a container of nuts on hand and if I feel peckish, I eat a handful.

 

[Moll Flanders]

Do you mean plain chocolate or non dairy milk chocolate Molls ?

Usually I have non dairy chocolate although some of the plain choccie is quite nice too. I usually have either specifically vegan made chocolate bars or accidentally vegan chocolate or biscuits kept in the house.

It's the PETA website that has a list of accidentally vegan products I think.