I have been on and off of a vegan diet for about 8 months now. I enjoy eating vegan and want to continue eating vegan however, I give into temptation and cravings and fall off the wagon. I usually get back on but it takes me a few weeks  (I also have a non-supportive husband who is strictly a "carnivore" as he likes to put it). I know eating animal products is not good for me health wise, it's not good for the enviroment or the animals themselves, yet - I still have cravings for the things I don't even really want to eat.

My question is, how long will it take the cravings for meat/dairy to go away? In my mind, I know I don't want to eat those types of food but out of nowhere, I will have a desire for those same foods that I despise.

I have never been a meat lover myself and just started the Kind Diet about a week and a half ago and within the last couple of days, I have found myself craving meat. Even fast food hamburgers (and I very very rarely ate fast food). I saw a commercial the other day and couldn't stop thinking about it! lol Or a big steak from The Keg.

I am just attributing it to part of the detox and the pull meat has on our bodies because we have been putting it in us for so long and it's been going without. I just keep reminding myself of all the good we are doing for our bodies, for our planet and for the animals. And I've given myself another treat instead such as Kettle Brand Salt and Vinegar chips (a downfall of mine!). If I allow myself that treat which is not going against the Kind Diet, but really is still not good for me, it appeases me.

I know it's not much, but I hope that helps!

What are your favorite vegan foods, or the ones you eat most days?  Maybe the way to start is to build on the veg foods that you already eat and expand the dishes you love.

I find dairy and occasional seafood treats that the family have the most hard to kick.  I'm not yet vegan but aspire to be one day.

I love it when you find a good brand of product or dish that works well, and it's like yeah I can do this and it tastes great.  Like my rice milk, haha love the stuff.

I know it's very hard, espeically when you cohabitate with others who aren't supportive or insist on having THEIR favorite things at arm's reach (store-bought pies and danishes, and meat, meat, meat). 

I felt myself slipping a lot since the first of the year, so I sat down and reconfirmed my desire to have a vegan lifestyle. I watched "Earthlings," (the documentary that convinced Ellen DeGeneres to go vegan).. it's horrific, so prepare yourself. But maybe that's what your husband needs? To be shown the truth.. where his "meat" comes from.. being enlightened and educated about our food sources is necessary for ANYONE, not just vegans. ???

have you tried meat substitutes? Veggie sausages, mock bacon and so on? It can make the transition a bit easier :)

Make sure you are getting enough whole grains and dark, leafy green vegetables. I find that I am most tempted when I start slacking on these two things in particular, as that's when I get cravings or find myself getting too hungry between meals.

And I do mean the whole grains: I ran out of brown rice last week and we ate up some white rice that was sitting around the pantry, and had regular pasta another night, and boy, could I tell the difference! 

I've been a vegetarian all my life so when I decided to go vegan I started craving cheese... I've tried the vegan cheese but it's not really something you can eat plain, you know? I like how I feel not eating animal products but I'm struggling, how do you keep going on a vegan path???

@ Morgan Piatt: I think the best way is to find a way to remind yourself of whatever reason it is that made you go vegan. 

If it's animals, watch YouTube videos or Earthlings to remember.

If it's your health, keep The China Study on hand and re-read parts when you're having cravings. Etc.

Vegan cheese is not a good substitute if you really want cheese.  For me, the secret is to figure out how to enjoy your usual cheesy dishes without cheese.  Avocado is usually a good substitute.  Instead of nachos with cheese, make a really yummy guacomole and you'll never miss the cheese.  Not everything is so easy, but honestly, I think it's easier to figure out how to enjoy the usual things without the cheese then maybe in a while you can try the vegan cheeses and you won't remember how not like "real cheese" they are.   

And remember that living the kind life includes being kind toyourself too.  If you slip up, don't beat yourself up over it, just jump back on the wagon and make better choices tomorrow. 

Honestly???  I have been a vegan for 6 years now, and the first two years were a struggle.   My decision to become vegan was made for me by my Cardiologist.  I walked in  to his office a very happy Twinkie eating junk food junkie and walked out in a daze.  The first 2 years I didn't fall off the wagon very much, but cheese was the hardest thing to give up.  I literally cried when one night when my son was eating a pizza.  I finally kicked myself in the rear and decided to embrace the vegan thing and learn how to make truly great things to eat, and quit dwelling in the past.

The good news is, our taste buds don't have very long memories and after 2 years, my taste buds did a 100% turn around.  I really didn't like the things I used to eat anymore.  I didn't crave them, and without even thinking about it, I stopped eating junk. 

Just hang in there and don't beat yourself up over your slips.  If I can do it, believe me ANYONE can.  I ate nothing but burgers, soda's, fat, sugar, sausages etc. etc. for 51 years....

I have also fallen off the wagon.  I haven't really craved meat (except Chik-fil-a) as much as I've just found it hard to figure out what to cook.  The meat subsitutes get old and I was eating alot of beans and rice and salad.  I first started slipping with cheese.  I craved cheese and yogurt like crazy.  I found Veggie Shreds shredded cheese close to home but  I cannot find vegan substitutes for many items within a 1 hour radius of where I live.  I'd buy them when traveling out of town though and stock up.  Also, I found I really like seitan but I can't buy it here. Again I have to go an hour away to even find wheat gluten. 

I know it's healthier for me and I certainly felt better so I'm giving it a go again. I think if I start slower by making small changes and "flirt" a little I can progress.  I went all in last time and it lasted for almost a year until about 4 months ago.  So....here we go.  I want to change and keep it.  I want to eat cleaner, better, lighter, feel more energenized. 

I haven't gone completely vegan, but am in transition.  I find what helps me is not to tell myself I can't have certain foods, but rather remind myself how much better I feel without them.  Once I tell myself I "can't" have foods, I am so tempted to have them.  Best luck to you!  The greatest triumphs come with the most difficult struggles but it's worth it!