I remember when it was the taste/texture of meat I missed.
I remember when it was the taste/texture of cheese I missed.
I remember when it was the taste/viscosity of milk I missed.
Yet, all that has diminished over the years as I went vegan (27 years veg, last 7 vegan). They are no longer emotional or "taste" addictions and I eat healthy and happy without those odious products.
So, when I tell people that I no longer miss the taste and viscosity of fat, or added fat recipes, why is that so difficult to understand? Dr. Esselstyn, author of "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease," told me in an interview over a year ago that I'd lose the desire or taste for fat after some 12 weeks. I tried what he recommended. It worked. I don't crave buttery muffins, fat-infused stir-fries that could be done with water or wine, or vegetables fried in fat. I don't miss the taste of fat, and that this same fat threatened my health, is gravy. In the interview I focused directly on the "well, in moderation?" issue... read his responses and judge for yourself.
So here's the challenge: try it. Go for 8 to 12 weeks without added fat in your vegan diet. Give it a try and see if it works for you. You CAN lose your desire/addiction for added fat. Worst-case scenario, you can't deal with it, nice try... and most likely, you can and you'll be heart healthier as a result.
Can giving up added fat be any harder than going vegan? If you've the discipline and determination to "go vegan" than why not try the next step?
Go low-fat vegan.... live longer, healthier, and happier!
I just wanted to add that Dr. Barnard has written a whole book about conquering food addictions.
http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Food-Seduction-Cravings-Naturally/dp/0312314949
And even though Dr. Barnard takes a whole book to say it (and it's worth a whole book because he goes into a lot of the biochemistry behind food addiction), he basically says the same thing you just said: just quit cold turkey and give your body and taste buds time to adjust.
[Thanks! I haven't read the book but I've read about it... I was skeptical, to be sure, but having kicked meat when it was unusual, kicking "fat" wasn't nearly as hard. Best, Mark]
Posted by: Sparrow Jones | 2008.04.30 at 23:23