Are you planning to go vegan? Cutting out all animal-based products can be a real challenge, especially if you are fond of meats and dairy products. The difficulty that many people face is that they don’t know where to start. What may surprise you is that there are many ways to supplement your diet with delicious foods and recipes. You have lots of vegan options that are a great deal healthier than meat-based meals. Here are some great tips to get you started with veganism and a much healthier lifestyle.
Get food delivered
Eating healthy takes time. This is something that poses a huge obstacle for people with busy lifestyles.
For this reason, a meal plan delivery service can be an excellent option. The service provides various healthy vegan meals made and prepared by professionals. It can be a great way to get started and maintain your newfound vegan lifestyle.
Make vegetables the main event
The traditional start of every plate is usually the meat. However, it doesn’t have to be. Vegetables can take center stage with the same if not less prep than meat.
Carrots can be honey-glazed. Similarly, broccoli can be steamed in the most vibrant green you have ever seen and taste incredible. Honing your cooking skills with vegetables can impress your friends and have you feeling a lot better.
Mix things up
Getting all of the nutrients and vitamins you need with a vegan diet takes a little more attention. However, the goal is not hard to achieve.
After all, being a little more mindful of what you put in your body is what started you down this road to begin with. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what your body craves. Look to well-balanced grain bowls, brown rice, and beans, mixed with roasted vegetables and tofu for inspiration.
Save money
Just looking at the ingredients we’ve mentioned so far, you will be pleased to note that they can be bought much cheaper than a ribeye steak. Best of all, you can purchase the ingredients in bulk.
In no time, you will be cutting back on more than your waistline. Once you start eating vegan, you will be amazed at the lower grocery bills than what you used to have.
Understand labels
Food labels have extensive regulations behind them. However, it can be a little confusing when you are trying to eat vegan and eat healthily.
A great example of this is the difference between whole grain and whole wheat. Whole grain is the healthier option, but the wording from some food manufacturers can be confusing at times.
This is where you need to do extensive research to make sure what you are eating is good for you, and more importantly, 100% vegan. As you are new to veganism, you may be surprised at the number of products that contain animal-based products. This goes well beyond the kitchen as well. Most shampoos are not vegan for example.
Plant-based proteins for the win!
Cutting out meat and cheese from your diet can leave a protein-shaped hole in your diet. The good news is that there are many vegan sources of these proteins that are much healthier. Tofu, lentils, beans, almonds, edamame, and more are just a few examples.
There is a lot of misinformation about veganism, the main one being that vegans don’t eat enough protein. The truth is that their diets can easily have the same if not more protein in them. Their meals are considerably healthier than all of the harmful fats in meat when eaten in excess.
Vegan does not always equal healthier
Wait, what? This is something that can be a little confusing.
Eating healthier can have many benefits, including more energy. Cutting out meat from your diet is healthier as long as you eat the right foods to balance out any nutrient or vitamin deficit. However, not everything labeled vegan is automatically healthy.
A great example of this is vegan cookies. Instead, they could not include a single animal-based product, yet they are loaded with way more sugar than a regular cookie. This is why you always have to read the label.
Don’t neglect the omega-3
DHA and EPA are a couple of fatty acids that are very important for the eyes and the brain. Supplements can often be an excellent way to get these into your body.
Similarly, you could look to flaxseed, walnuts, and soy as good sources. The key is to constantly learn how to improve your diet and never miss out on anything that could be beneficial to you.
Get involved in the vegan community
This can be in person or online in groups. It can be a great way to connect and learn more about the best and healthiest way to enjoy the vegan lifestyle.
You can trade recipes and even make some new friends that support and understand your choice. There is a global community out there of like-minded vegans who are more than happy to help welcome a newcomer into the fold.
As a vegetarian since my teenage years, I can attest to the fact that protein is not a problem.
I was Vegan for many years, and am almost Vegan now. For medical reasons, my bones were disappearing. So, with the help of calcium orange juice (my fave is the Minute Maid Bone Health juice) and a tiny bit of dairy (a bit of cottage cheese, mozz on homemade pizza, and a bit of bocconcini, I have rebuilt my bones.
I don’t eat much of these, and buy from local farmers who treat their animals humanely, and use veggie micro bacteria instead of rennet.
The option was nasty pharmaceuticals, which messed me up with horrific side effects.
Having said this, I suggest that if someone wants to become vegetarian or vegan, start small.
Cut beef and pork out of the diet first, and work your way along.
Great advice to start small, Resa. It involves educating oneself and maintaining a good balance in meals and snacks. SO GLAD you have rebuilt your bones!
Yeah! I get a bone scan every 3 years. It used to be every year. Then my bones stabilized, so 3 years became the norm.
Doc told me my bones have gotten denser in the most recent scan, and to keep doing what I am doing!
Woot, you rock. Self-care is so important (physical and mental)
I do believe you need a proper diet programme if you want to eat a vegan diet or you won’t get all the necessary fatty acids, protein and other vitamins and minerals. I might manage vegetarianism but veganism is to extreme for me. I was a vegetarian for many years but started eating some meat again when my oldest son was born.
It is a commitment, for sure, Robbie. I hope your week is going well x
I am very happy that my week is over. I hate this time of year when everyone wants something done before year end.
Yes, crunch time, and their emergencies then become yours ~ Hope you get some rest this weekend x
These are all good idea Christy, and another point that helps folks just starting out is to make those dishes they already have in their lineup that are already vegan.
Great suggestion, Dorothy!