What It’s Like Being Vegan

02 Feb What It’s Like Being Vegan

Hi, I’m Erica. And I’m a basic white girl vegan.

Can you imagine how hard that is to say on a first date?!?!?!

Especially when you’re a girl out with a guy. UGH. Because let’s face it: most guys are meat zealots.

“I’ll take a salad.” (<– my default order at any national restaurant chain)

And as we all could’ve anticipated, the guy asks, “Where do you get your protein?”

[ Insert expressionless emoji here ]

As much as I want to flash him my ripped abs, I resort to a less pompous answer: “It just makes me feel good.”

And who can argue with that?

Well, actually a lot of a-holes.

Alas, sometimes the “I feel good” response isn’t enough for people to buy into veganism and not deem you a total alien or PIDA worshipper. I get it.

I mean come on…what is life without meat? Wings? Filet mignon? Pulled pork? Five Guys Burgers? OH. MY. GOD. HOW WILL WE LIVE? WHERE IS THE PROTEIN?

As much as I want to go all Call of Duty on people who ask me this, I’ll opt for this cute, informative blog post. Hehe. ;-0

What It’s Like Being Vegan

Alright. Let’s get into the meat of this post. Or sha’ll I say, spinach? LOLz.

As a personal example, I have been a vegan for six months. I’m alive. I’m ripped. I’m energized. Did I mention, I’m alive?

Look. I’m a soccer player. We’re known for copious amounts of energy expenditure from dead lifts, squats, sprints, 90 minute matches, and booty shaking. If being vegan didn’t fuel me in a way to be able to play the beautiful game and live life to my potential, I wouldn’t be doing it. Plus, I wake up at 5:00AM every day full of a tremendous zest for life. Don’t believe me? Follow me on SnapChat (ericasutesute).

When we look at other examples, this all holds true. Gorillas, for example, are one of the strongest animals on the planet. What do they eat? Plants. And these fellas are doing (and looking) just fine:

And finally, when we look to professional sports, there are many vegan athletes. David Carter, NFL defensive-lineman, also known as the 300-pound vegan, consumes a plant-based diet. Have his muscles withered away? I’ll let you be the judge:

Or how about vegan bodybuilder (78 years old) Jim Morris?

And these examples are just glossing over the tip of the iceberg. Certainly, I could go on and on about vegan athletes. But I’m not trying to bore you with a whole appendix section to this post.

So Where Do We Get Our Protein?

Plants. Yes, things like broccoli, spinach, black beans, lentils, tofu, mushrooms, peas, asparagus, peanut butter, cashews, almonds, and quinoa all have protein. But if you’re really concerned, you can always take amino acid supplements.

For more scientific information, you can watch the documentary Forks Over Knives or take a look at the China Study by Dr. T Colin Campbell.

The Bottom Line

I’m a vegan. But just because I have this label doesn’t mean I’m hear to judge your diet. Some people can’t live without goat cheese. Some people do wing night every Wednesday. Some people do hot dog eating contests. And some people like to eat whale anus. All good in my book. As long as these don’t make you feel like a total waste of life, you do you.

For me, I’ll happily stick to my plants. I’ll opt for things that smell, look, and taste the same right when I cut it open:

Sorry. Had to.

Anyway.

Eat foods that breathe life into you. That clear your mind. That invigorate you. That bring out your creative power. That fuel you. That make you love life. But next time you come across a vegan, don’t pass judgement. And for the love of Zeus. Stop with the protein question.

Don’t make me do it: