downsides of vegan processed foods?

[rkk]

Hi all. I still seem to enjoy vegan junk/processed foods... mock 'meats', soy 'cheez', etc. When I look at the ingredients there are a number of strange items in there. I am not exactly sure how people take a soybean and convert it into something that tastes like chicken (with all the stringiness that gets stuck in your teeth, etc) or a soy hot dog. Obviously this is a highly processed food, which was likely exposed to high temperatures and high pressures to change its physical form.

After my latest raw stint, I am trying to find a balance (for the present time) by eating part-raw (at least 50%) and part-minimally processed cooked vegan food. However, the unfortunate part is that my cooked food choices have tended to be vegan junk and not necessarily the most healthy stuff. I want to make healthier choices, but I think part of the problem is that I truly don't get it. I don't really understand the effects that the processed soy or fried foods have on my body. Yes, I can feel slightly sluggish after eating too much of that stuff. But what exactly is it doing to me, I have no idea. I just was wondering if anyone has researched this stuff and can provide me some insight - as I hope it will inspire me to eat less processed and more vegan whole food. I still often suggest these mock meats to someone who is thinking of going vegan/vegetarian (as they help in transition). But for someone like me who has been vegan for awhile, I think it's high time to eat less of these foods. Thanks so much!

[rkk]

So sorry... this was meant to go in the general discussion section. I don't know how it managed to land in the 'who are you?' section.

[Revvell]

Read the ingredients, then Google them. You will be enlightened.

[Dimond]

The food causing toxins in your body. Even if you don't feel the effects short-term, it's creating all kinds of damage that usually shows up in all kinds of ways throughout your life and years later.

I don't get eating these unhealthy foods when gourmet raw food tastes way better & is way healthier. There are so many delicious options one never needs to eat anything else.

[sport]

I was vegan for a number of years before raw but I never ate those meats. I did try the mock cheese.
I think that the best thing is to allow yourself to eat some cooked food but only wholefoods. Stay away from the junk.
These days there are lots of other less processed foods available.

[rkk]

The food causing toxins in your body. Even if you don't feel the effects short-term, it's creating all kinds of damage that usually shows up in all kinds of ways throughout your life and years later.

Part of the issue may be that I am still fairly young (28), and thus haven't suffered any degenerative disease. I probably don't feel the full effects of eating this way as someone older might... but by then it might be a bit late.


I don't get eating these unhealthy foods when gourmet raw food tastes way better & is way healthier. There are so many delicious options one never needs to eat anything else.

I agree with you. I have tried 100% raw for periods of time, so I can tell the difference between living and dead foods in my mouth. These sorts of foods are not being eaten as a sense of nutrition by me - as I know raw is so much better. Rather, they are a place of comfort for me, as I grew up eating meat (and really liked it), and only stopped after being confronted on the violence towards animals. So these mock meats have been comforting for me, as they allowed me to eat things I had fond memories of, while at the same time giving me the satisfaction of knowing that no animals are being harmed for my diet. Unfortunately, it seems like the only animal being harmed by eating this food is ME. I just don't think I fully realize how bad such food is. Furthermore, this sort of food was the last things I ate before getting into raw food, so I don't have experience eating a whole food cooked vegan diet. Thus when I "fall off" eating 100% raw, it makes sense that I naturally gravitate to foods I am accustomed to. I do realize, however, that this is not constructive for me. That's why I've been thinking to eat a part raw, part whole-food vegan diet to build myself up... so that the next time I "fall off" raw (after my future attempts at 100% raw), at least I won't fall back into junk but will have a healthier baseline.

[Dimond]

So you know, you just want us to remind you? :p Go make some yummy raw cheese sauce and zucchini pasta with marinara. :) Emotional eating is what sucks us all in. I'm lucky in the fact that when I binge all I want is raw, but it's still not good. If you haven't discovered Conscious Eating yet, that may help you. I talk a bit about it on this page at the bottom: Conscious Eating. (http://dimondhealth.com/RawDiet.htm) You can also google for more info & tips.

[RawKnitster]

Maybe this will help. It is a little known fact that eating too much processed soy products will damage your thyroid. When your thyroid doesn't function properly it can dramatically affect your quality of life causing problems with low energy, depression, weight, and a long list of health problems.

Too much processed soy, and the thyroid damage may by irreversible.

[revdrcyn]

No vegan junk food in the world can compare in yumminess and decadence to raw treats. When I get a craving for soy cheese or tofu or something from my old vegan life, I get out Alissa's book and start looking at recipes. Before long, I am craving her stuff instead of the junk. Works every time!