Practical
Tips for Going Vegan
The
New Year can be an excellent opportunity for you to overhaul your
diet. Veganism has plenty of well-documented health benefits and can
really improve your physical well-being. If you’re considering
embarking
on a vegan diet, it’s best to start with an open mind. Going
vegan may be tough at times, but if you approach the experience with
positivity, your new routine won’t feel like a punishment and
you’ll be less worried about failing. Your vegan diet shouldn’t
make you feel limited, as there are plenty of wonderful vegan
products on offer from places like Goodness
Direct.
Planning
is Key
Take
a look in your pantry or your kitchen cupboards, and make sure they
are well stocked with wholegrains and pulses. If your kitchen is full
of ingredients for meat or fish based dishes, you’ll find it
difficult to get started. Buy plenty of leafy vegetables like kale
and spinach as these can provide the basis of hearty vegan meals. You
might want to give yourself some extra time for cooking, particularly
at the beginning, as planning vegetable-based meals can be difficult
to start off with. If you’re going on a trip or eating lunch at
work, be prepared. Don’t assume that there will be vegan products
available when you get there.
Socializing
With Food
As
a vegan, it’s probably best to avoid convenience foods or
frequenting a burger restaurant with friends, but that doesn’t mean
your social life shouldn’t include food. Why not invite friends
over and cook a vegan meal for them? You don’t have to explain your
lifestyle choices to those around you, but chatting about veganism
can make for some interesting conversations with friends and
colleagues. If you want to get others involved, the best way to do
this is by showing them how tasty and varied vegan food can be.
Falling
Off the Wagon
If
you mess up and eat something that’s outside your new vegan diet,
don’t beat yourself up about it. No one is perfect all the time,
and if you end up eating meat or dairy products by mistake, it’s
not the end of the world. If you want to be a successful vegan,
remember that you should only enforce vegan rules when they can
reasonably be complied with. If you’re travelling and vegan food
just isn’t available, don’t starve yourself. When it’s more
convenient, you can pick up where you left off with your diet. In the
same way, cravings for forbidden foods can be satisfied by having a
small amount of them every once in a while.
