So many people tell me they would love to go vegan but they do not know where to begin! I am here to help with that! Here are some tips to help you learn about veganism and to help you know where to start:
First off, it is important to remember that veganism is a lifestyle. You are living a cruelty-free, compassionate life. This isnāt a diet or a trend. You need to decide your reasons for doing this ā health, environmental, animals (or all)- and use them as your motivation. It is important to learn about all of the aspects and be informed on each so that you can form opinions on different topics and really educate yourself on veganism!
Letās get down to the basics:
Vegans do not consume or use any animal products/by-products: meat, fish, dairy, eggs, leather, products tested on animals, etc.
You obviously do not eat animals of any sorts (no meat & fish). It is cruel, inhumane, and just terrible overall ā for the animals, the environment, and your health. Documentary for each (respectively), Earthlings, Cowspiracy, and Forks Over Knives (also on netflix).
You do not consume any by-products from animals (no dairy, eggs,honey). Each one of those is linked explaining the truth & cruelty behind them. Do you have the image of your milk being produced by a cute little cow being milked by a farmer? That is not how it works. Please learn the truth & check out those links.
You donāt use products made from animals (pretty obvious right??). NoĀ silk, no leather, no wool. I have linked each of these as well to posts that explain the truth behind them. Ā
You donāt use products tested on animals. It is pretty obvious how cruel animal testing is, yet many of us continue to purchase products that support animal testing! Here are some products you can buy! (MoreĀ cleaning and beauty products and another helpful article!).
I know I just explained all of the things you are not supposed to consume/use, but PLEASE do not think of veganism as a limitation! Veganism opens up your world and allows you to experience so many new things! Cruelty free products & cooking, recipes using ingredients you have never even heard of before, and a new, compassionate lifestyle! Your world will open up in so many ways, and I am so excited for everyone who is willing to try it!
Some people think of veganism and think it is crazy! I understand- I used to be one of those people. But now that I understand the lifestyle and the beliefs behind it I would never go back to my former self! I love being vegan! Some common misconceptions:
PROTEIN?! Where will I get my protein???!! No, meat is not the only source of protein. Protein can be found in many plant-based sources. Whole grains, legumes (beans, soy products, nut, nut butters, peas, lentils), seeds, and vegetables all contribute a significant amount of protein to your diet! It is not hard to get the amount of protein you need per day, in fact, most people get more than they need. The average person needs 55 g of protein per day (give or take), while most people consume 70+g (which is obviously not good for you either). Needs will vary depending on you activity level and other variables though. Beans and rice combined are a great meal that provide all of the essential amino acids and make a complete protein Ā
I CANāT LIVE WITHOUT CHEESE- Yes, you can, but you actually donāt have to. Daiya is an amazing brand that produces vegan cheeses of all varieties! You can use it in bean recipes, casseroles, pizzas, wraps, sandwiches, salads, etc. The options are limitless! Most grocery stores carry this brand now too so it shouldnāt be too hard to find! You can also find restaurants with vegan cheese options or opt for no cheese on your orders! There are other brands as well!
What about ice cream?? Have you heard of Almond Dream, So Delicious, and Trader Joes? They, among many other companies, produce THE BEST ICE CREAM (seriously if you have not tried Trader Joes soy cherry chocolate chip ice cream you have not lived yet) you will ever have! You need not worry about ice cream, chocolate, or any other amazing dessert you think you might miss out on- there are plenty of vegan alternatives (many ā especially ice cream) are available at regular grocery stores!
Wonāt I get sick? Or be deficient in vitamins? No! You will need toĀ supplement B12, but other than that you can get all of the vitamins and minerals you need from plant foods! The books Vegan for Life and Vegan for Her are great! I highly recommend them if you are looking to stay healthy following the vegan lifestyle! They go in depth about vitamins/minerals and everything that you may be concerned about!
What do you eat?! All kinds of natural foods. Vegetables, fruits, legumes, vegan specialty items, and so much more! There is literally a vegan recipe for any dish you can think of! If you would like a vegan recipe for your favorite meal just message me xx
As you can see there are alternatives for everything- butter, meat dishes, ice cream, yogurt, milk, cookie dough, chocolate, etc. You will NOT be missing out!
And remember- vegan does not equal healthy! Just because something says it is vegan does not mean it is good for you. Plant-based foods are the best for you! All the alternatives listed above may not be the healthiest but they are good for the soul- moderation is key š
Stay tuned for more posts (an in-depth post on protein, simple meal plans, how to tell your parents/friends you want to be/are vegan, and more!)
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