How to Transition to a Vegan Lifestyle: Tips and Tricks for Beginners - Brown Living™

Veganism is not just a passing trend—it is a way of life for those wanting to live more ethically. Avoiding consumption of food items derived from animals is only the first step. Vegans also avoid the purchase and use of animal-derived products such as leather and even skip using products that are tested on animals.

Vegans are conscious about all their choices, from cosmetics to clothing, they make sure that what they consume is free from animal cruelty and animal derivatives. As the world becomes more conscious of environmental hazards, more people than ever are turning towards veganism to reduce the impact of traditional diets on the environment. And of course for the added health benefits of going vegan.

Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle requires a proper approach and it is not something that can be done on a whim. Understanding what a Vegan lifestyle entails along with its pros and cons is important.

The Pros:

  • Reduced risk of cardiometabolic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
  • Helps in weight loss due to its restricted diet.
  • Free from animal cruelty as it is against harming and killing animals.
  • Reduces environmental impact in terms of lower water consumption, land degradation, and wastage.
  • Morally responsible.

The Cons:

  • Lacks essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin B12, etc.
  • Not recommended for people with certain health conditions and dietary requirements. 
  • Difficult to find vegan alternatives when eating out.
  • Increase in greenhouse emissions from the transport of vegan-friendly foods.

Effective Tips to Adopt Veganism

Once we've educated ourselves on the topic it becomes easier to change our lifestyle accordingly. Here are some tips and tricks you can implement as someone new to veganism.

  • Read up on the Vegan diet: Educate yourself about the plant-based alternatives to your everyday food needs. Find out about the various vegan options such as legumes, nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables, tofu, etc that can be a source of essential nutrients for your body. 
  • Get a balanced diet plan: Seek out a nutritionist or a dietitian who can help you prepare a balanced diet that meets all your nutritional requirements.
  • Look up vegan recipes: The internet is full of vegan versions of your favorite dishes and interesting new recipes that cater exclusively to a vegan diet. Explore new foods and non-traditional tastes. 
  • Make a list of all your Vegan essentials: Having a list prepared can help you choose vegan options for your day-to-day essentials and reduce some unnecessary stress at the grocery store. You can also download these lists off the internet to make it easier to find and recognize vegan food alternatives.
  • Trust the process: Going vegan is a major lifestyle change and something that’ll require some extra effort and patience. There may be some mistakes and some lows that’ll make you doubt your choice. Remember to take it one day at a time.
  • Connect with like-minded individuals: Join vegan-friendly groups and communities that can give you the support, advice, and encouragement you’ll need on this journey. This will help you stay motivated and keep you going during the transition period.
  • Forget all prejudices when it comes to food: Be open to trying new foods, new tastes, and ingredients. Prepare yourself to be experimental with the unfamiliar, you might find yourself liking the alternative sustainable products.
  • Read the labels: This should become a standard practice when making any purchase. Be it food, clothes, or skincare, make sure the ingredients are vegan, the process is free from animal cruelty and harm and it does not contain any animal derivatives.
  • Check the menu for vegans before eating out: Opt for restaurants that have vegan options on their menus or look for dishes that use plant-based ingredients. Salads are usually a safe bet at most restaurants but make sure to check if they contain anything non-vegan.
  • Don't shy away from supplements: Vegans tend to miss out on key nutrients like vitamin B12, calcium, or vitamin D. Talk to your healthcare provider to fill those gaps with supplements.

  • Conclusion 

    A vegan lifestyle is much more than eating a bunch of vegetables, to ensure that you have a healthy balanced diet you need to incorporate a variety of different foods too. You need to also be mindful of your eating habits and make sure that you’re eating enough calories to fulfill your body’s requirements.

    Take small steps, remember why you wanted to become vegan in the first place, educate yourself about food and nutrition, plan your meals, and don’t shy away from experimenting and have a group of friends or like-minded individuals cheering you on. This World Vegan Day, Go vegan. The planet will thank you for it.

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