Veganism is a rough life.
No animal products means literally ZERO animal products--whereas a normal vegetarian may still eat honey, eggs, cheese and other non-meat animal byproducts, a vegan commits to eating none of that.
And you don't realize what things like butter and eggs are always in—you have to read every label.
Veganism is also going against most humans' evolved digestive systems and as such can cause serious complications if not handled carefully, as one blogger found out the hard way. Depending on your own genetics you may be able to get everything you need from a vegan diet.
Or, no matter what you try, you may not. Diets are not one size fits all as food allergies, lactose intolerance and Celiac disease prove.
In an interview with The Daily Mail, Virpi Mikkonen, 38, said she began experiencing health problems, including a rash on her face, weak nails, depression and absent periods and hot flashes.
"I thought, what's wrong with me? I am healthy, I exercise. I was really scared."
Mikkonen was forced to seek medical advice, and after not eating meat for 18 years, was told she would need to find a way to reincorporate some animal proteins back into her diet.
She realized she had no other option.
"I felt I had run out of fuel, totally."
"I was empty."
But once she began eating eggs and bone broth, she says the change was dramatic.
"It's amazing. I feel energetic, motivated. I'm sleeping better, the hot flushes and aching in my body have stopped."
Best of all, her periods have returned. She was so relieved she danced round her flat.
"I thought, OK, now I am back on track."
"It doesn't work for everyone. It didn't work for me."
"I was working a lot, I had produced four books in two years. It was crazy. No wonder I had burn-out.
Some people need animal products for them to be healthy. No one diet is going to suit everyone."
The mom has grown to incorporate chicken and meatballs into her diet, but still avoids gluten, starch and refined sugars.
"Maybe if I'd had a super-relaxed lifestyle somewhere in Hawaii I wouldn't have had any problems being vegan. But in this life, I am living, the diet didn't work for me and that is totally OK."