Choosing to go vegan is more than just about your health. When you go vegan you’re helping the global community. Being vegan isn’t just about choosing not to eat red meat, fish or poultry. Going vegan means you’re choosing to cut out all animal products including eggs, milk, butter, leather, and choosing cruelty-free products.
For some people, going vegan sounds like a major lifestyle change. One that almost seems impossible to achieve. However, with these four simple tips, you can make going vegan seem and feel more realistic. A better tomorrow starts with you and it starts with you going vegan.
What Does Being Vegan Mean?
Being vegan means choosing not to consume dairy, eggs, or any other products with animal origins. Unlike vegetarians who still consume butter, milk, and eggs. Being vegan also means choosing not to wear animal skins like leathers and furs, as well as choosing beauty and health products that are not tested on animals.
Why Do People Go Vegan?
There’s a number of different reasons why people go vegan. For each person that reason is different and it’s not always just for one reason or another. Often people will start a vegan dietary lifestyle for ethical reasons and realize that it has positive benefits for their health. Some people choose to go vegan for environmental reasons, which closely ties with ethical reasons. There’s no one right or wrong reason to go vegan.
- Keep Snacks Handy
The number one thing people note when they go vegan or even vegetarian is that they feel hungry all the time. Going vegan doesn’t mean you have to starve yourself. There are plenty of plant-based food sources that can keep you feeling full and satisfied. Depending on where you live, going vegan may be more difficult, which is why keeping snacks on you is so important. You might be tempted to indulge in an egg sandwich or chicken sandwich if you don’t have a vegan-friendly protein bar on you. The next time you’re at an organic health shop in Pembroke Pines, grab some vegan-friendly snacks.
- Meal Prep
Again, the biggest complaint about cutting out animal products is that people feel hungry more often. When you’re not prepared you’re more likely to fail. It’s like the old adage goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. Pick a day during the week to prep some easy to pre-heat meals. There are tons of plant-based recipes out there for you to try. Some great staples to keep on hand are rice, beans, quinoa, oats, protein powders, leafy greens, nuts, and fresh fruit. Your local organic health store in Pembroke Pines will have everything you need to prep healthy, vegan-friendly meals.
- Keep Learning
Going vegan is, for most people, a major learning curve. Like previously mentioned, going vegan is more than just about cutting out meat and poultry, it’s about cutting out all animal products and incorporating only cruelty-free products into your life. With tons of resources online it’s easy to stay informed and keep learning about the different facets of veganism. Additionally, with so many resources are also outlets for support and educational material.
- Find Community
When you’re doing something together it doesn’t feel as dramatic or daunting. With thousands of online support groups on Facebook, Tumblr, and Reddit, it’s easy to find community support online if you can’t get that same support offline. If you’re feeling different or isolated from your offline community because of your new dietary changes, hop online and find your people. Food is and has always been about community, so don’t be shy and find yours.
Additional Tips
- Ask for Help
Making a major life change is not easy. So don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re having trouble locating vegan-friendly products in the grocery store, seek out an employee to direct you to the right items. Additional support and help can be found online as well. Simply search nutrition stores near me to find health-conscious stores.
- Remember Your Why
Many people choose to go vegan for different reasons and for usually more than one. Common reasons include ethical, health, and environmental, though there’s no one right or wrong reason. Whatever your reason for going vegan, when you’re struggling to maintain the lifestyle, remember your why. Why did you start? Your why is what is going to keep you motivated during those times when you think you can’t do it anymore.
The most important thing to remember when going vegan “cold turkey” is to not give up. You’re going to have some bad days and you’re going to have some really great days. Using this four tips can help keep you going even when you feel like throwing in the towel and giving up.
