Plant-based diets have become a cultural phenomenon over the past few years for a few reasons. And whether you’re hoping to preserve the environment or experiencing health issues and looking for a more holistic way of addressing them, going Vegan doesn’t have to be challenging. In fact, if you break it down into a few steps you’ll be on the way in no time. (As with all health-related issues please consult your doctor though because this is NOT medical advice)
Like a lot of people, I grew up in a community where people were riddled with health issues, some of which were auto-immune — which is a fancy way of saying that your immune system is attacking itself. Immune system issues manifest themselves in a number of ways, and Auto-Immune issues are **can** be hard to treat because sometimes doctors don’t know what causes them. One way I’ve successfully addressed my own is by changing my diet drastically and exercising.
Before we get into the list remember, this only works if you work it. I can tell you everything that’s helped me so far but it’s up to you to commit. This is a new diet so you’re going to occasionally eat something you don’t like; That’s part of the game. If you’re tight on money these suggestions (especially step 1) should work just the same!
1. Make A List Of Everything You Eat
Why: This is your starting point. Open your notes app and write a list of the things you eat weekly. The goal here is to list foods you normally eat and find “vegan” replacements for them.
Result: You’re not going to eat these foods forever because though they don’t have meat or dairy products these “vegan” foods are dripping in oils and other additives.
Lastly, some of the products you’re looking for will have a tiny “V” on the box that looks like the one below:
*Pro Tip: Go Shopping On A Full Stomach, you’ll spend way less.
**Pro Tip 2: Usually the items you’re looking for are gonna be in the ‘natural’ or ‘craft’ section of supermarkets. You can find stuff that fits the bill at any Kroger or Publix in your area and honestly it doesn’t have to be expensive.
Just remember to check the label for any meat or dairy products; usually, they’re prominently listed (one more thing, if you see GELATIN as an ingredient that’s a pork product so it’s not vegan).
2. Find The Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants In Your Area
Why: You’re going to go out with your friends (after the pandemic), right? So you want to make sure that you’re dining somewhere that you can enjoy just as much as your friends/mate, etc. while avoiding the awkwardness that comes with them suggesting places that you invariably can’t go to because they aren’t friendly to your diet.
You can go to the website Happy Cow and that tells you what restaurants in your area are vegan/vegetarian friendly.
3. Replace One “Regular” Meal w/ a Plant-Based One
Why: If you’re not one of those people who can dive headfirst into a new habit that’s okay. Weening yourself off of meat & dairy can be a process so start with one meal — preferably the one you care about the least about because if you end up hating the plant-based meal (which still happens to me 3 years later) it won’t affect your day.
Result: You’re slowly incorporating vegan foods into your diet; Goal #1 was to create new dietary staples now with those new staples you need to make them a regular part of your weekly food runs/meal prep.
*Pro-Tip: Go light on the soy, they have estrogen-like chemicals called isoflavones which could promote cancer and other sicknesses.
source(s):
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/confused-about-eating-soy
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/soy-isoflavones
4. Go Vegan For A Weekend
Why: By now you should have a few plant-based staples in your diet. And if you know how to cook then nows the time to go one full weekend without meat or dairy (and heavily processed foods if you can avoid it.)
Result: If you can go vegan for one weekend you can go for two. It’s all about building up the momentum.
5. Buy A Multi-Vitamin/Supplements
Why: This is a new diet; If you’re in step one still odds are that you aren’t getting every vitamin/mineral you need; To cover the shortfall pick up a multi-vitamin in the meantime (if it’s not vegan that’s cool… for now)
Result: This will help with any feeling of fatigue that may come with switching over. Your body isn’t used to not doing the amount of work it takes to process what you normally eat. Ultimately that’ll give you some extra energy but you may feel tired at first so make sure you’re getting your vitamins!
**Pro-Tip: Check the ingredients label for gelatin
6. Try Veganism For a Week
By now you should have new dietary staples to lean on, and enough snacks foods to replace your traditional favorites so now you can venture out into the world of plant-based eating for at least a week.
Remember… If you can do one week, then you can do two. If you can do two you can do 4 and if you do 4 — you get the idea.
Anyway, I hope this helps somebody out. Drop a comment or hit me on Instagram if you wanna stay in the loop w/ me. Peace.
GODBODY SCIENCE