9 Tips for Going Vegan

 So, you’ve decided to make the switch. You’ve watched the documentaries, you’ve read the articles, you’ve heard all about the benefits… And you’re going to do it. 

You’re going to go vegan. Awesome!

Your decision is going to do wonders for our planet. You will be conserving water, combating world hunger, reducing energy consumption, and purifying the air, one vegan meal at a time. 

Not only that, but you’ll also be improving your health significantly. But going vegan is no easy task. Eating a diet that is free from animal products can be super tough, especially when you’re just starting out.

You’re suddenly having to learn to read nutritional information on food packaging, you might have to say goodbye to some of your favourite foods, and your body might initially react strangely to the change in diet. 

But it’s going to be amazing. And with our help, this transition is going to be a piece of (vegan) cake.

1. One baby step at a time

For the majority of people, jumping straight into a new diet isn’t going to work. It’s a great idea to take it slow, and transition gradually. This might look like eliminating meat first, then eliminating dairy once you’re used to your meat free lifestyle, and so on.

Or, it could look like eating vegan twice a week, then three times a week, and so on. You will know what is going to work for you best. You have the end goal in sight, and how long it takes you to get there it is no one’s business but your own. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Appreciate that change takes time.

2. Out with the old, in with the new

Changing your diet isn’t something you can just dive straight into. To make the switch more stress-free, you need to do a little bit of research and planning. Spend some time figuring out which foods from your current diet you can still eat, and which need to go.

Practice reading ingredient labels. You might be surprised by how many of the foods you are currently eating contain animal products. But that’s okay! That’s what vegan substitutes are for. But we’ll get to that soon. 

It is crucially important to make sure you are still consuming a healthy, balanced diet while eating a plant-based diet. There are many resources available that will guide you through ensuring you are eating enough protein, calcium and iron. We love Veganuary’s How to Go Vegan, and Joni Marie Newman and Gerrie L. Adams’ Going Vegan: The Complete Guide to Making a Healthy Transition to a Plant-Based Lifestyle.

3. Meet your new BFF – vegan substitutes!

Nowadays, there are vegan substitutes available for almost everything. Meat, cheese, milk, eggs… Being vegan doesn’t mean you have to be restrictive with your diet, or say goodbye to all your favourite foods. You just need to get creative! 

The majority of grocery stores will have plenty of vegan substitutes available. And if they don’t? Just make your own! Some of our favourite vegan substitutes are using jackfruit instead or pork or chicken, tempeh instead of bacon, and almond milk instead of cow milk.

 

4 Awaken your inner chef

Find yourself some vegan cook books, dig through online vegan forums, pester your vegan friends and family, and collate your own collection of delicious vegan recipes to try. 

Experiment! Keep the ones that work, laugh at the ones that don’t. Soon enough, you’ll have your own cookbook full of recipes that you know and love, and feel confident making. 

Being able to cook for yourself will make your vegan journey significantly easier, trust us. Some of our favourite cook books are Melbourne’s Smith & Daughters’ A Cookbook (That Happens To Be Vegan), which includes many meaty-sounding recipes that are in fact all plant-based, Kansha by Elizabeth Andoh, which celebrates Japanese vegan tradition of expressing gratitude for nature’s gifts, and The Homemade Vegan Pantry by Miyoko Schinner, which teaches you how to make your own vegan staples, such as French-style buttercreams and pizza dough.

5. Find local vegan restaurants

Take the time to find local restaurants and cafes that serve vegan meals, or have vegan options. You will probably find that a lot of the places you already know and love have vegan options available that you never noticed. And if not? You have a great excuse to go cafe and restaurant hopping. Knowing where you can and can’t eat in your local area will make your life a lot easier, and you won’t have to say goodbye to meals out with friends. 

There are also apps available to help make your life easier. Happy Cow will show you vegan restaurants and health food stores nearby in over 180 countries, in case you’re ever out and about, or simply looking to find new places to eat locally. Vegaholic is a fantastic tool, which will quickly tell you whether or not an alcoholic drink is vegan or not, so that you can have peace of mind on a night out without too much thinking involved.

For More Information:-reusable cutlery set

6. Find your own vegan family!

As with any change in your life, becoming vegan will feel so much easier with company. If you don’t have vegan friends or family, it’s a great idea to find a like-minded community to share your journey with, whether it be an online forum or an in-person meetup. 

Following the Sydney Vegan Market’s Instagram page is a great place to start → @sydneyveganmarket, as well as joining the Earth Friendly Food Choices page on Facebook. Cooking for your friends and family is also an awesome way to share your experience with others and include them in your journey. 

7. It’s just a phase!

During the first two or so weeks of being vegan, your body will go into what is known as ‘detox mode’. You’ll most likely experience some headaches, cravings, stomach troubles, and changes in your energy levels. But no need to panic! This is all completely normal, and will pass after a month or so of making the change. It’s just your body adjusting to your new plant-based diet. However, if the symptoms do seem unusual or last longer then expected, see a doctor.

8. Go easy on yourself

Chances are, you will eat animal-products throughout your vegan journey, whether by accident, or intentionally. That is okay. No matter how hard we try to be, no one is perfect. There will be misread ingredient lists, mistakes made by restaurants, and late night cravings. But it won’t make you a bad person. You have chosen to do something incredible for the planet that takes a whole lot of strength. Forgive yourself, and move on. You’re doing great.

Click here to get more info about:-period cup 

9. Remind yourself of why you made the change

There’s a chance that sometimes, especially at the start, you’re going to hate it. You’re going to have moments where you regret the whole thing, and wish you could slack off and eat the foods you used to eat. That’s okay, you’re only human. Reread the books, rewatch the documentaries. Revisit the reason that led you here. Remind yourself of why you made the change to veganism in the first place. Try to find that passion again, remind yourself that you’re doing something incredible, and push through. You’ve got this!