The most frequently asked question that I get after becoming a vegan is “What do you eat”? Well, I eat food, just not that derived from an animal. And, trust me, there is more to plants than just carrots!
It’s totally understandable to me that people would ask me this. I think people quite often have the idea in their head that vegans are undernourished and they spend lots of time at their doctor or on the phone to Aviva health insurance looking for advice. This isn’t true of course. Over the years vegans have really come to understand how their bodies work and what they need to keep going.
As a vegan your diet really revolves around fresh vegetables. There is an emphasis on eating purely whole food, which means you will be having no refined sugar and no oil. The calories that a vegan needs so they are not as skinny as a rake but also so they have energy include starchy foods, such as potatoes. But also from grains, such as brown rice and fresh fruit.
A close second is “What are your energy levels like?” A fair question! Perhaps not as silly as the first! An avid runner, I have been somewhat lazy of late; since becoming vegan I have only done a few short runs. Well, last weekend came the first big test. My first decent run with only plants as fuel.
The start point was my home in Kelburn. From there I cut a track to Otari-Wilton Bush; running through the trees, birds, and past trickling streams, I made my way to the top of a fairly large hill. From there I ran along the crest towards the back of Karori. Hitting the top of Johnson’s Hill, I headed down to Karori, along the road and then home. All in all, about 10 to 12k, on road and off, mostly heading skyward.
I was a little nervous at how it would go. How did it go? Fine! Thanks for asking. I noticed zero difference from when I was eating meat, milk, and eggs. Rock-on the Christchurch Marathon in June!