6 Tips For New Vegans (Beginner’s Guide To Going Vegan)
If you’ve stumbled across this post, chances are you’re considering veganism. And whatever reason you might have for doing so–be it environmental reasons, health reasons, animal cruelty–you might be wondering how to start off on the right foot.
The great news is that with the right planning, nutrition and mindset, it’s entirely possible for you to be a successful vegan. So keep reading for 6 of my best tips for new and aspiring vegans:
1. Don’t go cold turkey.
I know, I know, there’s a tofurky joke in there somewhere that would practically write itself.
I know there are people out there, myself included, that made the switch all at once–and that’s great. But especially if there are some foods that you see yourself having a hard time letting go of (one I hear a lot is “I could never give up cheese,”), it might be easier for you to cut things out gradually.
2. Find swaps for foods that you already like.
Something I hear people say on occasion is, “If I was vegan, I’d have no idea what to eat.” Well the great new is that, especially nowadays, there are numerous vegan swaps to foods you already know and love.
Pizza? Burgers? Buffalo wings? Cheesecake? Your morning omelette? You name it, there’s probably a vegan version of it out there. So go on out there, and try some new things!
3. Get the right nutrition.
One really important thing to consider when going vegan (or no matter what way of eating you subscribe to, really) is to make sure you’re getting proper nutrition.
B vitamins and Omega-3s are important, so you may want to consider taking a multivitamin. Protein is also important, and vegan sources (like tofu, seitan, nuts and beans) abound, but you want to know how much your body needs and that you’re getting enough.
You might consider talking to your doctor or a nutritionist about these things, and they can probably steer you in the right direction.
4. Expect to get asked about it.
Take it from someone who’s been doing this for a while: people will get curious. Expect to hear things like “where do you get your protein?”, “how do you live without cheese?”, and “enjoy your rabbit food.”
My approach to this has always been to respectfully answer any questions that come from honest curiosity, and brush everything else off.
Because some people just want to know: this is a major lifestyle shift, how/why are you doing it? But other people just want to poke fun at your veggie burger, and they aren’t worth your energy.
5. Don’t be afraid to try new things.
By going vegan, you are cutting several food items out of your diet, perhaps some that you use on a daily basis. Now, you need to focus on adding back as many new and exciting ingredients as possible!
For instance, I don’t think I gave tofu a second glance before I became vegan. Now, tofu is a staple in my kitchen (and I make a mean tofu scramble). An ingredient I never would have touched, is now something I use on a regular basis. So don’t be afraid to experiment!
6. Know that mistakes will happen (but you’ll learn from them!)
Ah, to be a perfect person–unfortunately, none of us are. This isn’t me putting the whammy on you when I say you will probably have several slip-ups along the way. Imagine how I felt when I first realized that some taco seasonings have milk in them ?
But it’s more than okay to make a bunch of mistakes and use them as a learning experience. You’ll get better and better with each one, and a free lesson in self-love and patience is part of the package.
Thank you for reading! Especially if you’re a baby vegan or vegetarian, just be patient with yourself and remember that every little bit counts. You got this!
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Until next time, peace 🙂