Exploring The World of Veganism

By Indie

Disclaimer: In no way am I pressuring you to become vegan. You do what feels right to you as other people do the same. If you are considering becoming a vegan then I recommend you check with a physician and/or dietician if you have a medical condition or are feeding young children before you begin. And if you are someone that isn’t keen on adopting this diet then I still recommend you read this as you don’t have to be a vegan to enjoy what this diet has to offer. :)

The idea of transforming into a vegan diet can be a little daunting. Your mind has many questions such as; Do vegans only eat fruits and vegetables? Is veganism too expensive? How will I get my nutrients? If these questions or something similar have entered your mind before, then continue to read this article. I will introduce you into the sceptic world and will show you what it’ll take to have a happy, healthy and delicious vegan lifestyle as well as share my journey into veganism. 

Let’s begin by asking ourselves - What is veganism? Veganism is the exclusion of all animal products such as meats, dairy and eggs. A lot of people would choose this specific diet whether it’s for health, ethics and/or environmental reasons. Whatever it may be, the transition can be tough. However, if you follow the following points, it can lessen the stress.

• Start with an open mind: Don’t dive yourself into this diet with a negative mindset. If you go jump into the diet the results would be harmful since you might end up hating it if you restrict yourself in any way. By starting with an open mind, you’ll see what this world has to offer and its benefits. If you still have doubt, then take the food that you love before and see if there is a vegan version of it. 
• Consider the additions rather than the takeaways: When you first become vegan, you’ll most likely think of the foods that you can’t eat such as chicken, fish and cheese. Instead of thinking about what foods you can’t eat try to focus on what you are adding to your diet. Dairy alternatives such as almond, cashew or coconut milk/yoghurt, tofu, tempeh, fruits, vegetables and legumes (which, from personal experience, you should add slowly into your diet as a large first-time bowl will lead to indigestion). As well as mock meats which can help you for when you are first transitioning into veganism. Although be prepared since not all mock meat or food alternatives will taste the same due to the brand that produces them.
• Start making your food: As a vegan, there is no way around this. However, If you are someone that does not like to cook, then I recommend you go onto YouTube and search for quick, easy recipes or dedicate a day where you can prepare ‘make-ahead’ meals. By cooking your food, you’ll save so much on money as well as satisfying your hunger. 
• Listen to your hunger: You just finished an entire meal and an hour or two later, you feel hungry again. Simply, satisfy your hunger. We were all taught that if you want to eat healthy then eat smaller portions of food but that is not the case with a vegan diet. It’s common to feel more hungry when you make the transition. Legumes, fruits and vegetables can’t offer the same amount of calories that you would find in meats, cheese or ice-cream. 
• Don’t exclude treats: Since you’re eating healthy the majority of the time, it is ok to reward yourself with some sweets/candies or crisps/chips. 
• Get tested: I recommend you get blood-tested every six months as a way to see how your body is adjusting to your transition. By getting your blood tested you are seeing what vitamins and minerals you are deficient in which will lead to you improving your diet. Whether through food or multivitamins. 
• Messed up? Doesn’t matter: It doesn’t matter if you mess up. Just do as much as you find reasonable to you. The road to veganism is steeper than at first glance. You’re teaching yourself new habits, replacing old ones that have been with you for possibly all your life. So if you happen to eat a scoop of dairy ice cream, then it’s ok. Do not feel guilty.

I’ve been vegan for nearly a year due to both health and environmental reasons. Growing up, the only meat I ate was chicken because other meats tended to harm me and, at a young age, I became aware of the endangered ocean lives hence my decision to not eat seafood. As I got older, animal-related products such as eggs and cheese became nauseating to eat. The idea of becoming vegan entered my mind then and after I started doing research into the health benefits, environmental effects and animal cruelty I first became a vegetarian and after a few months became vegan. 
My advice for anyone thinking of venturing into the world of veganism, start by becoming a vegetarian. If you succeed in that, then feel free to take it a step further. Do not get me wrong, from time to time I did slip up. Whether it was eating a piece of chicken or consuming greek yoghurt but I took my own advice and decided to not feel guilty and to continue on.

By taking on the tips provided above, hopefully, you will come to terms with the idea of veganism. However, everyone has their path. Some people, including myself, find that becoming vegan leads them to be much healthier vegans whilst some people don’t. So don’t be too harsh on yourself. Just be ready to explore and appreciate what this diet has to offer. 
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If you still have questions about veganism then check out this link:
https://www.brownble.com/blog/2017/7/29/frequently-asked-questions-about-veganism ​