There are many reasons people go on a vegan diet. Whether it is because they want to make healthier choices when it comes to food, to help the environment, or anything else, going on a vegan diet is always a great choice! Many of us do not even realize how good it feels to get rid of all heavy foods until we do so.
But, no matter how good it feels, or how good of a reason we have, changing to an all-vegan diet can sometimes be challenging. When you suddenly change what you eat on a daily basis, your body might be confused. And we definitely understand that. But, to help you overcome this first, and definitely the most challenging part, we have prepared a few tips on what you can do to jumpstart your vegan journey. So, if everything we have mentioned resonates with you, read through the article we have prepared for you!
1. Make a subtle transition
One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting their vegan journey is suddenly cutting out all things that are not plant-based. Even though it might be exciting to think you can suddenly cut out all the things you want, your body might not agree. So, to avoid feeling like you have to deprive yourself, slowly introduce more plant-based meals into your diet. For instance, instead of eating chicken nuggets, you can go for a delicious falafel. Or, in the beginning, you can make non-vegan salads, and slowly change the amount of meat, cheese, and eggs you add. Do this until you are comfortable with not having any of those things in your meal. This way, you will slowly transition, so your body will not feel as if you are depriving it of any nutrients.
2. Use supplements
Even though you can get most things you need from a plant-based diet, especially in the beginning it can feel like you are missing something. This is why it is a good idea to take supplements. Well, truth be told, it is a good idea to take supplements no matter what kind of diet you have. Pros on this topic from omvits.com say that some of the most important ones are vitamin D3, omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamin B12. So, to make sure your body has all it needs, to have more energy and be healthier, make sure you are taking the supplements you need. And the best thing is, you can find the ones that are 100% vegan as well!
3. Go to vegan restaurants
A lot of people believe you cannot eat tasty food if you are not eating meat or dairy products. To all of those people, we say – visit one of your local vegan restaurants! You would not believe how many delicious recipes there are that just contain plant-based products. So, if you are having second thoughts about starting your vegan journey, make sure you visit a few vegan restaurants. This can be a great way to find inspiration for the meals you make at home. Also, if you are tempted to order non-vegan dishes, that will not be an issue either!
4. Join a vegan support group
Just like anything else, starting your vegan journey will be easier and more fun if you find like-minded people. So, before you start switching to a vegan diet, look up to see if there are any vegan support groups where you live. If you cannot find one near you, you will certainly find one online.
Being a part of a vegan support group can help you stay motivated through the journey. But, apart from motivation, you will be able to hear about some new recipes and learn more about the benefits of a vegan diet both for you and for the environment.
5. Educate yourself
Different people have different reasons they want to become a vegan. But, to know more about all the reasons being a vegan is good, and to get more motivated, make sure to educate yourself about this topic. And you do not have to go to the library and study hard about this, you can listen to a podcast, watch a documentary online, or, as we have previously mentioned, simply talk to somebody who is vegan. Hearing about other people’s experiences and thoughts, as well as some statistics and facts will surely be useful.
6. Write down your reasons for being vegan
Although being a vegan will make you feel good, in the beginning, there will be times when it will be hard. Of course, this is something totally normal. You are changing a lot of your habits after all. So, to be able to regain the inspiration when times like this come, make sure you write down why you want your vegan journey to last. This way, when you read it again at some point, you will be able to get motivated again, just like in the beginning.
7. Play around the kitchen
Changing your diet means changing most of the recipes you have been using in the past. More often than not, people get stuck with a few dishes and quickly get bored of cooking vegan food. To avoid this, make sure you play around the kitchen and constantly look for new recipes. There are numerous vegan recipes online, plenty of vegan cooking books, and even apps for your phone! Whatever you do, make sure you keep on exploring different dishes. This way, you will not get bored with your diet, and you will most certainly have fun along the way!
8. Stock up your pantry right
No matter what phase of your vegan journey you are at, stocking up your pantry with vegan foods will help you a great deal. Of course, you do not have to buy anything fancy. But, when most of the food you have is vegan, you are less likely to grab a meat-based product off your shelf. That is, when you reduce the amount of non-vegan products in your home, you will have fewer things that can be tempting.
Starting a vegan journey does not need to be the same for everyone. Of course, there will be some trials and errors along the way, but do not be discouraged by this. There is no one perfect recipe for success. But, if you ever have trouble staying on track, come back and go through all the things we have talked about.