How do you guys feel about plant based substitutes? For example, vegan "meat" and soy milks, etc.? I'm trying to eat a more plant-based diet, but I've heard conflicting things about whether it's more beneficial to use vegetarian/vegan substitutes or to just use less of the real items.
For example, I read a book by a raw vegan nutritionist named Kimberly Snyder that made processed soy sound like the worst thing ever. I know that dairy and meat are also bad in some similar and some worse ways. :-/
Hi @travelfoodjoy! I'm happy you asked :) I love getting into this kind of discussion <3
So as far as vegan subs go... That's difficult to answer in a box but generally what my rule is, is to look at the ingredients.
I barely buy those items unless I know the source or person making them because if you look at the ingredients, there are oftentimes just as negative to your health as anything you'd be trying to avoid.
For example, my 'vegan meat' is tofu and tempe (both made of soy which I previously avoided like the plague) however, I know the farmers here that grow the organic, non gmo soy and make it fresh, handmade so I am fortunate to have that relationship with the source.
For milks, I generally make my own! It's easy to do with nuts if you have a good blender and nut milk bags! The reason why I prefer this is because if you look on the back of a nut milk box, they have so many ingredients to keep the milk good on the self for extended periods and I am not a fan of any of that.
I'll tell you, I have been on both sides of the fence (actively) when it comes to soy but I believe now that it really has a lot to do with how it's grown. I don't know where you're coming from but in America, that stuff is pumped with GMOs and therefore, I'd agree with her and say that I wouldn't put that in my body either! It's too bad the labeling in the states is how it is as well, if we could trust it more, then I might tell you to look for an organic label but it's not guaranteed.
Would love to help out in any way else I can so feel free to keep connecting with me if I didn't answer your question or if you would like to dig deeper into this- it's my passion! =D
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Thanks so much for your in-depth response! I'm not only American, I'm from a place where portions are huge and greasy-Chicago!
Healthy eating was NOT the norm. I'm trained to eat everything deep dish, fried and/or with extra cheese on top! :p
I was a vegetarian for 6 years, but ended up breaking for some shrimp fried rice hangs head That opened the door for all the other meats to reenter the picture. :-/
I'll probably never become a vegan, but I may end up going veggie again. I'm not sure how to pass up certain foods when I travel, so I'll probably just try to only eat meat and dairy when I'm traveling.
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Hey, no problem, sorry I am late getting back to you! :)
Oh I grew up right across the way in Canada, so while I didn't grow up in the same food situation you have described, I know all about what you face being your neighbour!
I have been meaning to write about how I learned to travel and maintain my diet, you've reminded me that it's really useful advice because people think that if they are traveling it's going to be harder for them when I have actually found the opposite!
I travel all of the time, I am traveling more than I am stationary and I still don't eat any meat or dairy (many countries have different handling processes and many food borne sicknesses come from those foods so I always recommend my friends and family avoid them!)
Whenever I get a chance, I'll write that and hopefully it'll help <3
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