Following the post, hundreds (I'm not exaggerating for impact) of folks sent me an email expressing that my experience was THEIR experience. A few of you will keep in mind the car company Saturn. They used to have a car with an automated seatbelt. It had been a cumbersome contraption, but as a 10-year-old, having just arrived in America for the first time, I thought it was amazing. An programmed seatbelt?! It blew my head. I was captivated by it. I think that is where it all started out. After that, I understood that there have been so many secret and enjoyable things out there. And I needed to uncover them all.

If you have the desire to be vegan but end up struggling with the idea of cravings or giving up a particular food, don't stress, that's completely normal! They are challenges, nonetheless they certainly need not be barriers. Most vegans stop eating creature products for moral reasons, not because they don't really enjoy the flavour of them. It could sound ridiculous but there's lots of cheese-loving vegans out there!

Vegan diets are rich in fibre, vitamin supplements C and folate (because of all that fruit and veg) but you could be lacking in a number of other vitamins and minerals Vitamin B12 is an excellent example. We need it for healthy red blood cells and nerve function, but because it's typically within canine foods like eggs, dairy and mozzarella cheese, full-time vegans need to add fortified breakfast time cereals and soya products, and possibly consider taking a B12 supplement (look for the one which provides 10 micrograms daily).

Another very common disease (actually the number one killer in the Western world) can be prevented and even reversed by eating a low unwanted fat vegan diet. The number one risk factor for growing cardiovascular disease is dietary cholesterol, followed by high blood pressure, excess weight, and diabetes Many of these are easily avoided by eating a low fats vegan diet and engaging in moderate movement.

So please don't follow a great deal of guidelines around your eating (I know that's what your ED really really wants), but your freedom and health lay in letting go of limitation. Don't limit your fat or health proteins or your carbs. When you can, choose healthy options from whole foods, but issue yourself to have some white loaf of bread and olive oil as well. Yes, those aren't the healthiest foods, but you should try to learn to be fine with eating them too. Plus if you need a huge amount of calories in order to restore your bodyweight - then add in processed food items as well. You can eat a vegan diet and still follow your cravings for a burger or cookies or chocolates. Make an effort to lose your fear for any and all food stuffs.