Marina's Bloggariffic

It’s been about 11 months since I’ve consciously eliminated animal products in my diet – no eggs, no milk, no meat and whatnots. So far so good. It’s been an easy transition since Cart’s vegetarian so we don’t clash too much when it comes to mealtimes at home.

These past months, I don’t really feel as if I’ve missed out on anything. There are such a variety of things to eat here – you can see the different types of product being sold as the seasons change. There are days though, when I do think about fried fish with rice and soy sauce, a comfort food that I used to eat back when I was living in Singapore.

(One of the nice thing about living in Rome is that fresh produce is easily accessible)

Nevertheless, it’s starting to be second nature to me, I feel like I’ve been eating normally, like what you can see from my instagram stories. Sometimes, I think I even eat even too much. I used to be clueless at what to prepare, so to make things easier, I make a weekly food timetable which gives me an idea of what to cook. I don’t always follow it, but planning meals has made it less of a headache so far.

(Arrabbiata is something that we make often because it’s good to eat, and fast to cook)

I’ve given away or consumed (last January) all the non vegan items that I have, save for the fish keropok which was the last thing that Mak Oteh gave me. I feel a little conflicted as I don’t want to discard it so I’ll keep it for now, I guess for sentimental reasons.

Anyway, there are concerned people who have been telling me that my diet isn’t safe and that I’m not getting enough proteins and other nutrients. While I know that protein isn’t an issue because foods like beans and legumes are rich in them. Nevertheless, I did a blood test to make sure that I’m not lacking in any important nutrition. And here is my reading :

Everything looks intact. My iron level looks normal. My vitamin B12 level looks normal. My folic acid level looks normal. Even my protein level, is still in the normal range. In the end, my food consumption hasn’t been of a hindrance at all.

I go about my daily life regularly, and as you know, I take cross fit and aquagym and physically I don’t feel like I’m weaker compared to last year. There really hasn’t been any hangups, and so with that, I like to continue. Come January, it’ll be a full year for me!

(Me and Marco after our Goruck event in Padova)

I wonder how it’ll be like when I’m back in Singapore though. We might be flying in somewhere in June or July or August. It shouldn’t be an issue when eating outside, although in my experience, there are a number of ethnic food operators who don’t understand the concept of vegetarianism (much less veganism).  And I haven’t really told my family yet.

This will be interesting.