So you want to go vegan in 2021. Congratulations! You made the right choice. ;) Whatever brought you to this decision, you should be very proud of yourself for finding the compassion and empathy to introduce this lifestyle into your own life.
I could go on and on about how you can ensure this is a long term change for you, but I’m going to go ahead and try to condense my advice into my top 5 tips for going vegan below. Enjoy!
1. Remember Your Why
Whatever brought you to this decision, don’t let it go! Out of sight, out of mind is a real thing, love bugs. Whether you’re choosing to go vegan for your health, the animals, or the environment I suggest printing out an image to remind yourself and place it on your fridge. Temptation can strike at any time, but if you always keep your “why” in front of you, you won’t forget!
Here are some pics from @the.veganvibe for inspiration:
2. Seek Support
You don’t have to feel alone in your decision to go vegan! If you can’t find a friend or partner in real life to make this change with you, find a support group online! There are plenty of vegan facebook groups to find friendly vegans to talk to about your transition into veganism. I’m also personally here for you and your journey, so please never hesitate to reach out via my contact form or instagram!
Here’s a list of some vegan Facebook groups I belong to and recommend:
And if it weren’t for pandemic times, I would highly recommend vegan meetup groups as well! Meetup groups are a great way to discover vegan food in your area and meet other vegans, of course!
3. Find Replacements for What You Like
To make the transition easy on yourself, just replace animal products with vegan versions of them! It’s crazy what they’ve been able to do these days. Anything you can think of probably has a vegan replacement! They are typically available at most grocery stores these days, but especially health food stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Trader Joe’s. Trust me when I say, this is the easiest way to stay committed to your new lifestyle. Plus, they taste delicious, especially without all the unnecessary cruelty!
Here’s a list of some great vegan alternative brands:
Vegan “Meats”
Vegan Cheeses
Vegan Milks
Vegan Egg
4. Don’t Be Afraid to EAT
It will take some time to adjust to this new way of eating. A lot of people I know who have said they tried going vegan but just couldn’t get enough nutrients and always felt hungry, weren’t simply eating enough! Plant based food is typically lower in calories and digests easier. Meaning you get hungry quicker after a meal than you would eating animals.It’s okay to eat when you are hungry, you will find your rhythm and what works for you.
For now through the transition to veganism, just focus on making yourself feel good with all the vegan food you desire. However, I don’t mean eat a whole carton of vegan cookies or ice cream, pay attention to the nutrients you are putting in your body. It might be a little bit more on the carb heavy side, but carbs are not the enemy! Do what makes your body feel good, your body will thank you for it, and so will the animals!
5. Don’t Strive for Perfection
Have self compassion as you navigate through this new lifestyle! Slip ups WILL happen. What’s important is you don’t beat yourself up and you keep going. Veganism is a journey, and nothing you do will ever be 100% perfect. But the more forgiving of yourself you are after a slip up, the easier it will be to keep going. Keep in mind, veganism is more than a diet, so there will be many things you learn along the way that aren’t vegan. Take things one day at a time and remember, baby steps are still steps on the right path. The time will pass anyway, so you might as well take the time towards a more eco-friendly and animal loving lifestyle, no matter how long it takes!