The question I’ve been asked more than any others since adopting a plant-based lifestyle is „But don’t you miss XYZ?“. And while I can honestly say that I don’t miss anything, I do get the occasional cravings for food that I once enjoyed eating.
As someone who will opt for the healthy option most of the time, simply because I think it tastes better, it is interesting that almost all of those cravings are fatty, fast foods. I’ll never have the urge to stuff my face with lean chicken filet – it has to be pork off the bbq, dripping with juice.
Talking with friends who have been vegan for longer than myself I realised that they experience the same – which made me feel less like an “inadequate” vegan.
Here are my top 5 cravings in no particular order, I’ll spare you the photos:
Plain greek yoghurt
A thick dollop with a drizzle of honey (or maple syrup), sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and roasted walnuts. Unfortunately I so far haven’t been able to find any plant-based alternative that I like, since I’m neither too fond of the strong taste of soy nor of coconut.
Bratwurst
Even though there have been ample attempts at creating wurst without meat, none of them has been convincing and there is still a lot of room for improvement. So far my favourite has been Spar majory bratwurst
Salami
A thick slice of it, cut in quarters and topped off with spicy mustard.
Parmesan cheese
Not the grated stuff but a whole chunk of it. With olives, olive oil and ciabatta bread along with a glass of dry white on a warm summer evening.
Anything Grandma used to cook for us when we were kids
The mere smell of any sort of Grandma food (usually meaty) will work as did the bell for Pavlov’s dog.
For those who now think that this is proof I’m not 100% happy in my vegan life, I have to disappoint you. I am. But food is so strongly linked with emotions and memories that more than actually wanting to eat these things I want to be where I was that one time I had them. Especially with what Grandma used to cook, which was usually at Christmas, Easter or for birthdays. Times when the whole family got together and would sit at the table for hours, eating, drinking, talking.
So far I have never felt like I was suffering or missing out on anything. Because as soon as I take a step back and think about whether I really would like to eat any of it, the answer is always “no”. It may produce a moment of fulfilment (if I would be able to enjoy – or swallow – it at all) but with such far-reaching consequences that I will gladly forego this opportunity and turn to an avocado burrito or a burger from Swing Kitchen if I need a quick grease-fix.
