How can I become vegan easily? 9 Tips that will change your life
How can I become a vegan?
Some people go from being almost carnivorous to vegan, while others choose to become vegetarian and not make such a drastic change. I followed these tips to get started in this beautiful way of living life.
To start being vegan, we must keep in mind that veganism is not a diet but a way of life. We must exclude the consumption and use of all animal products, whether meat, fish, eggs, milk, or honey. We should also avoid animal-derived clothing and cosmetics.
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Get informed first
It would be best for you to get a lot of information about the positive and negative aspects of choosing this diet. Not only because other people will ask you, but because when you are sure of what you are doing, and you know the subject, it is much easier to continue.
Don't stop eating all animal foods at once
We do not recommend you to eliminate all animal products from our diet at once. Some people find it helpful to start this diet suddenly, and overnight they are already vegan.
That is not usually the most common thing because it is a total change of life. It is advisable to take it to step by step, and at your own pace, you can do it this way:
- First, leave the red meat. Instead, start including foods that before like vegetables.
- Then you can leave the chicken or fish that you like less. I quite like fish; it was the last thing I stopped eating.
- Then you can give up eggs and milk.
- Finally, when you feel that you can give up the products with eggs and milk, like cookies and cakes.
Look for delicious recipes
You can look for exquisite recipes on youtube or Instagram, get inspired because there are really many and super tasty ones.
Various channels can help you find recipes and advice that you will like:
Eat more
That is one of the essential pieces of advice I can give you. You have to eat enough because food from plants has fewer calories than food from animals. Except for nuts and seeds.
When you go into this lifestyle, if you keep eating the same amount in proportion to what you ate before, your body will be in a huge caloric deficit.
If you ignore this, you will feel exhausted. That is what causes many people to give up. They say that veganism takes away energy, and it is a lie, they are only not eating as they should and the amount they should.
Start eliminating everything you have of animal origin
When you are already eating as you should, you will begin to worry about the rest of the aspects of veganism. I am referring to cosmetics, personal care products, and clothing.
What I can tell you is to use whatever cosmetics you have until you run out. In the meantime, research which brands are vegan so you can buy them when you need them.
With clothing, if you're comfortable with still wearing leather and stuff, wear it until it doesn't feel right anymore. Give it away, but don't throw it away because otherwise, that animal lost the life in vain.
Forget about social pressure
I advise you to forget about social stress, no, you have to eat the same food that others eat when you are at a party or in restaurants. You will always have options that fit your lifestyle, if not, talk to the manager to prepare something else according to your new lifestyle.
Restaurants are always willing to do this because it's cheaper. Vegetable ingredients are much less expensive than animal products, and you pay the same for the dish.
Read the ingredients of what you buy
Read the components of the products you don't know because even if you think something should be vegan, maybe it isn't. I've bought black chocolates that are supposed to be vegan because they don't have milk but use milk fat, that's not vegan anymore.
Surround Yourself with Vegan people
Something that helps a lot in connecting with other vegans. Usually, you will be the only vegan in your group of friends. On social networks, you can meet new people, exchange opinions, get inspired with new recipes.
Don't preach
Finally, if you want to start spreading the message of veganism, keep in mind that people don't like telling them what they are doing is wrong. Never attack always look on the bright side; you will ever achieve more by being positive than negative.
There is no right or wrong way to become a vegan, but try to learn from the experience and what works for other people. Keep your goals in mind, and remember that you are choosing to go vegan.
What is veganism
First of all, we have to know what veganism is and what its philosophy involves.
Being a vegan implies more than just a way of eating; it is an ethical principle, a form of living that rejects the exploitation of animals for any human use. Donald Watson created this term in 1944 to differentiate vegetarianism (diet) from a principle that abstained from the consumption of animals.
Veganism is a principle that seeks the liberation of animals from human exploitation. Veganism gives the same value and moral status to animals as it does to people.
It is an ethic that does not discriminate by species: animals do not exist for our use and enjoyment simply because they do not belong to our species. Vegan people do not tolerate the exploitation of animals. Therefore, in their daily life, they do not consume any animal product or derivative of its exploitation.
Veganism is a type of diet that excludes meat, eggs, dairy products, and other ingredients derived from animals. Also, many vegans do not eat foods that are processed using animal products.
Most vegans broaden the definition of veganism and go beyond just-food. They avoid the use of all animal products, such as leather, wool, etc.
What can a vegan eat?
That is the most common question about veganism. A vegan diet includes grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. Also, now there is the possibility to buy an infinite number of products prepared to make a vegan diet: ice cream, cheese, yogurt, and hamburgers, all made with vegetables.
Vegan people also eat many foods that other people consume, such as salads, spaghetti, vegetable sandwiches, bread, sauces.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are organic foods in the vegan diet. It would be best if you did not eat them processed, only in their natural state. They can be stewed, sautéed, or taken in the sauce.
Vegetables
Legumes are the primary source of protein for vegans, as they cannot consume any animal products. They also provide a lot of dietary fiber. We have, for example, the chickpeas, peas, lentils, beans, broad beans, etc.
Soya products
We could include soya in the legume section, but it is versatile, and so many vegan products come from it that we put it aside. The industry uses soy products as substitutes for dairy products. We have, for example, soya milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.
Cereals
This food is also essential for a vegan diet. Pasta, bread, etc. Vegan people prefer to consume the flours of unrefined and unprocessed cereals, using the whole grain to preserve all its properties.
Meat substitutes
These are great vegan food, they are very similar in color, flavor, and texture to meat. We have, for example, sausages, hamburgers, or pepperoni. Many brands are striving to make more and more products for vegans.
There is a wide variety of foods acceptable to vegans, such as nuts, popcorn, and hummus. We also have options like Indian and Thai food that have a vast range of vegan dishes.
Problems of a Vegan Diet
- Lack of protein: by not consuming any product of animal origin, a lack of protein in our body can occur and lead to serious health problems, anemia, hair loss, skin problems, fluid retention, infertility, etc. If you want to know the foods from which vegans get their proteins, click this link.
- Vitamin B12 and D deficiency: we can find these vitamins in animal products, so we will have to supplement if we do not want to have serious health problems. Vitamin B12. It is fundamental for our organism, for the correct functioning of our brain and nervous system. It is also crucial for the formation of various proteins and blood. Vitamin D. It is essential for metabolizing calcium and mineralizing bones. It can be obtained through the skin or from the intake of dairy and fish.
- Obesity. Many vegans are not having a very varied diet and tend to abuse cheese, cookies, and products very high in carbohydrates.
Conclusion
Diet and ethics come up into this lifestyle called veganism, in which more and more followers are joining every day.
Keep in mind that this is not just a diet; it is a lifestyle if your goals are only to lose weight. I recommend diets such as vegetarian or ketogenic.