Page 114 - Vegan Food & Living (February 2020)
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                        My vegan life
            Francisco


       Allendes









             Combining travelling for work as a DJ
             and living in Ibiza has provided plenty                             whatever is needed to live well.
                    of challenges for Francisco...                               – I am much slimmer now, I sleep better and
                                                                                   I’ve noticed changes in my body and health
                                                                                 even when I eat a lot I don’t feel that heavy
                                                                                 sensation you get after eating meat. Aside
            ’d been vegetarian for about 15 years   for health and the environment, and all this   from that, the other amazing thing about
            when I decided to become vegan. In   contributed to my decision to go vegan.  veganism is the positive impact it has on our
         Ithe fi rst instance my main concern was                                 planet and the environment. Some people

         animal suffering in the meat industry – I’d                              don’t agree, but I believe we have a climate
         seen videos about it in my home country of   Vegan on the road          crisis that will change the world and the way

         Chile, but what I hadn’t realised was that   The hardest part of veganism for me is to find   we live on it. I feel very strongly that the meat
         dairy and eggs were causing just as much   food when I’m really hungry and on the road.   and dairy industries cause so much pollution,

         suffering. Back then, being vegetarian was   Normally there aren’t many vegan options   waste so many resources, generate so much

         rare in Chile and my family and friends   in petrol stations, airports, planes or trains   suffering, and I simply don’t understand
         thought I was weird. When I moved to   and, depending on the city, some people   why when its all for human taste. This is my
         Europe I thought it would be more common,   think you are strange when you ask for vegan
                                             options. But it’s something I control by
         but it actually wasn’t. As time has gone on   bringing food with me. I usually travel only  We have a climate crisis
         this has thankfully changed. Along the way
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         I learnt the benefi
         I learnt the benefits                  with hand luggage and so I bring protein

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                                               with hand luggage and so I bring protein
                                                lot of sports I need to have around 120- that will change the world
                                               powders with me (soy or pea). As I do a
                                               powders with me (soy or pea). As I do a
                                                lot of sports I need to have around 120-
                                                150 grams of protein every day, so I also
                                                150 grams of protein every
                                                carry peanuts, edamame beans,
                                                carry peanuts, edamame beans, Huel and   and the way we live on it
                                                sometimes seitan.
                                                sometimes seitan.
                                                  Before each gig I’ll either have dinner

                                                 at the hotel or in a restaurant with the   way to fight against that, hoping also that my
                                                 at the hotel or in a restaurant with the
                                                 crew. Usually there’s a vegan option  actions may inspire others to follow the same
                                                 crew. Usually there’s a vegan option,
                                                 even if it’s salad, fries or h
                                                 even if it’s salad, fries or houmous.   path. I began my full vegan journey around
                                                 Lately, some venues where I play have   7 months ago and already I have others

                                                 started to offer vegan options also – it’s   asking me about it. I always explain my
                                                  definitely getting easier as time passes.   vision and a few of them are changing also

                                                  At home I always have several kilos of   – to me this lifestyle makes the most sense.
                                                  peanut butter in the cupboard –
                                                  I got addicted to this very quickly
                                                  and the first thing I do when I come   Take time to understand

                                                 back from a trip is eat a big spoon of it,   My advice to anyone thinking about going
                                             usually with a banana. I also religiously eat   vegan is to plan the transition carefully and
                                             usually with a banana. I also religiously eat
                                             soy yoghurts and there are several amazing   be realistic. I would never advise anyone to
                                             vegan restaurants in Ibiza where I now live.  have their last burger tonight and tomorrow
                                                                                 wake up vegan. Take time to study and
                                                                                 understand what it is you need to be healthy
                                             Improved health and fitness         and start slowly removing animal products
                                             Veganism has obviously made me more   from your life. The big misconception is
                                             conscious of what I eat. When you get over   when people think that after cutting out meat
                                             worrying about things like where you will get   and dairy they’ll just end up eating lettuce
                                             your protein from, you actually appreciate   and apples. If you research, you realise there
                                             your food more, and I am sure my nutrition   are many options, and that way the transition
                                             now is better than ever. I measure almost   is easier and more stable. It’s important not
                                             all the food I eat throughout the day and am   to stress in the beginning – just be honest
                                             careful to not miss any nutrients, vitamins or   and consistent and you will get there.
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