Well I have given up Beef & Pork. Turkey, chicken, and seafood will come later, as I ease into this. I also switched to Soy milk. I think I can live with it. Not to drink it straight, but for cereal and cooking and stuff. I like TVP so far too.

What about soy cheese? What are your experiences with soy cheese? Is it gross or can you get used to it?

Hi Mug,
Soy Cheese is available at stores like Whole foods, Trader joes.. I find it in my fresh fruit and veggie aisle ( they have a little section with tofu, soy meats and soy cheeses). I gave up red meat and poultry 22 yrs ago, and have not ate it ever again. I do eat fish and dairy products, but do eat soy products too( soy burgers, soy cheeses, soy milks, tofu).
You can find some good recipes at vegetarian times.com , or do a search there is alot of info on this, and how to do it the right way.
cheryl

I drink unsweetened soy milk but I also enjoy unsweetened almond milk which is only 40 calories per cup. I have never tried soy cheese though.

Most soy cheese that I've found has caesin in it (a milk protein). Perhaps in a big centre this wouldn't be the case but I haven't found soy cheese without it. One of my sons was allergic to milk protein at an early age (fortunately it's one of those things that seem to wane with age) and we tried soy cheese only to discover this. Fine if you're going for lacto-vegetarian but not for vegans.

Perhaps some vegans here have found milk-free soy cheese?

Jax

Mug,

I also have a question that may be silly. Why do you want to become a vegan/vegetarian?

If it is to help you lose weight, then you may not want to find substitutes for foods you have been eating like cheese Even though I'm a definite meat eater, I try to eat less meat and dairy products and go through periods of no meat, no dairy to some meat, some dairy or everywhere in between. I actually usually switch to eating meat and dairy products when I want to focus on losing weight because well it seems easier to me. Even if I give up meat entirely, it has been difficult for me to give up my whey protein shakes.

Vegan Gourmet brand makes about the best vegan soy cheese I've found. I like the mozzarella and jack flavors best. It's not quite cheese, but I like it. Most soy cheese doesn't really melt, but VG will if you slice or shred very finely and put it under the broiler for a minute or two.

Also, check out the Uncheese Cookbook, you can make your own "cheese" and "cheese" sauces.