I don’t have a food log. Sorry . If you can, talk to a nutritionist. Or, find a good book with sample meal plans. “The Vegetarian Way” by Virginia Messina is a great book, and it has sample ideas for people with different special dietary needs. I’m sure there are others, though. Good luck!!

I really want to be vegan, but IDK how to structure the diet so that it is healthy, well-balanced, and not high in carbs (I’m struggling with candida, so my sugar/carbs HAVE to be low…I also have issues with grains—my body just doesn’t handle them well!). Any suggestions? I’m underweight, so I really need to regain my muscle back! Do u have a food log that u post?

Thanks!!!!

You definitely don’t have to do it cold turkey, though! Maybe try going vegan just a few nights a week, or for one entire day a week… that way you won’t get overwhelmed and have absolutely no idea what to eat every day. Sorry for the long, rambling comment! Hopefully it was somewhat helpful .

Ruby, Australia

If you’re going out to a restaurant, maybe look at the menu ahead of time, and if there isn’t a vegan option, call the restaurant—many chefs are happy for the challenge of making a customized vegan dish (sometimes they get bored of making the same thing day in and day out). Or you can always come up with your own menu item by substituting. For example, if there’s a meat-y meal that comes with a side of veggies, you know that they have veggies. So you can ask for a baked potato or pasta with veggies, or a salad hold the cheese, etc. And go to Happycow.net to see if there are any vegetarian restaurants in your area.
Also, if you have a choice of where to go, always speak up (don’t say, I don’t care). Suggest an ethnic place, if you don’t want to suggest a fully-vegetarian one. Indian, Ethiopian, and Chinese all usually have good vegan options.
And, if nothing else, you can always bring your own food. But I try not to call attention to my veganism when out with friends, family, or other non-vegans. I don’t want anyone to feel awkward, and also, sometimes it’s not all about me! Sometimes, I just don’t feel like getting into the debate, ya know? I want to talk about things other than my culinary inclinations. In my eight years as a vegan, I’ve learned that the best way to ensure you’ll get some vegan grub, hassle-free, is to call ahead. This is a good strategy for three reasons: One, you don’t have to call attention to yourself or seem “high maintenance” when the waiter is taking orders. Two, if they can’t accommodate your diet, you have time to make different arrangements. Three, it’s courteous to give the chef a heads-up so he/she can be better prepared. Plus, you’ll probably end up with something yummier if the chef knows in advance about your diet and is therefore able to brainstorm a meal for you.