Thinking of going Vegan? Start Here!

Going vegan is a great way to improve your health and reduce your impact on the environment and the animals. It can also be a difficult transition if you aren’t ready or don’t have the right resources. Here are some tips for making the switch from omnivore to herbivore.

Small steps for lasting results.

to vegan is that it doesn’t have to be done overnight. If you try going all in right away, chances are you’re going to end up going back into old habits when things get difficult.

There are plenty of ways for you to consume more plant-based foods without having to test your willpower to the extreme:

• Start with one vegan meal each day. As you progress and get used to the new routine, replace two or three meals with vegan versions of your usual options. This way, you don’t have to overhaul your diet overnight and can focus on making gradual changes over time.
• Gradually increase the number of recipes. As time goes on, gradually increase the number of days per week that you eat all vegan meals until eventually every day has at least some form of plant-based dish in it. You’ll find yourself becoming healthier than ever before and loving every second of it!

Don’t just cut foods out, replace them.

This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people just continue to eat their same old meals with the animal products removed. This is a sure-fire way to fail. Cutting things out without replacing them will leave you feeling hungry and tired all the time, and just like that, you’ll be back to your old ways.

For example, replace animal protein with plant protein (tofu, tempeh, seitan, legumes) or if you regularly drink milk and eat cheese, replace these two items with plant-based alternatives like oat milk or plant-based cheese. This approach is especially effective as it helps you keep your calories 

Visiting a vegan restaurant can be a great introduction to the lifestyle, particularly if you have a vegan friend who can show you around.

Immersing yourself in the local vegan scene by heading out to a few specialty restaurants can help you discover a whole new world of vegan food – no more getting stuck with a bowl of chips at the pub!

These days, some of the best places for vegans to eat are in big cities – it’s hard to find somewhere that’s not accommodating! But even in smaller towns with fewer options, it’s easy to find at least one really good vegan place that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner not just salads!

See a health professional before making any kind of big dietary changes.

It’s helpful to get blood tests done first to assess your vitamin and nutritional status so that you can be sure you don’t develop deficiencies during the transition to veganism (or after). Testing can also help identify food intolerances that may contribute to digestive issues during the transition.

It’s a good idea to have your doctor check for any deficiencies, especially if you are going vegan for health reasons. A blood test will show which nutrients are lacking in your diet so that they can be added back into it via supplements or fortified foods if needed.

Going vegan is a big step, and it can take time for your body to adjust to the change in diet. You may find that you need extra help during this transition, but the important thing is that you remember your ‘why’.