Going vegan can be a wonderful thing. It can change your energy levels, how clear your skin is, and reduce the negative impacts your life has on the planet. Of course, going vegan can also be a bit of a challenge. Many of us don’t realise how many things contain animal products. It can be shocking to learn how big of a change is required and the level of commitment needed.
The following will explore some of the things you can do to overcome the initial challenges of going vegan. Of course, depending on your particular state of health, you might have specific needs. Talk to your doctor if you have an underlying condition or chronic disease about the things you need to be sure you’re getting when it comes to your health.
Find a vegan junk food you love
This sounds like a silly one to put on the list, especially first, but this is a big part of easing the transition into veganism. Giving up animal products is probably going to hit you hardest in the junk food department. Most chip flavours contain dairy products, gummy-based candies are often made with animal fats. Find something that’s fun, delicious, and vegan that you can have when the rest of your friends order pizza, or you’re on a date that doesn’t make you feel like you’re missing out. Fun fact: Oreos are vegan. You’re welcome.
By having something ready to throw at cravings, you can help mitigate the initial feelings of being left out, especially in social settings. Whether we want to admit it or not, we’re pack animals, which means we’re programmed to struggle with going against the herd. If everyone’s having fun and eating junk, you’re going to want to join in. Make sure that you can.
Try to focus on adding foods, not taking them away
When it comes to going vegan, if you keep your mind on all the things you’re not eating, it’s easy to feel restricted and frustrated. Instead, if you focus on the things you’re adding to your diet, it’s a lot easier to feel like the change is a positive one.
Learn about vegan non-food products
Veganism isn’t only about the meals you have. It’s also about the products you use in your home and life. Experts at https://vegomm.com/ point out that there are countless items you wouldn’t know use animal products unless you’ve done your research. Things like plastic bags, birth control, soap and beauty products, and cleaning products can all contain animal-derived ingredients.
You’re going to be eating more vegetables but go easy at first
Here’s the one no one wants to talk about. When you radically increase the number of vegetables you’re eating; your body takes a bit of time to adjust. Your gut bacteria, in particular, isn’t used to the amount of fibre. If you go too hardcore too fast, you can expect some pretty intense bloating. Your body will adjust, but you can ease the transition by making sure your fibre levels aren’t suddenly jumping through the roof – that you increase fibre gradually. You can also seek probiotic and prebiotic foods to help you out.
Understand your deficiencies
Even before you switched to being vegan, there were probably some vitamins and minerals that you were a little short on. Paying attention to your nutritional needs will help keep your mind clear, and your energy levels up as your body adjust to the new food you’re giving it. For example, if the iron is something you typically struggled with, 25% of the world’s population is iron deficient, you’ll need to do a little research on how you want to get this mineral. You should be doing this regardless of whether or not you go vegan, but often in the process of making bigger diet changes, these sorts of deficiencies come to our attention as we’re thinking about our food more often.
You should also keep in mind that vitamin D deficiency runs rampant in the US and throughout the world. Supplementation with the right kind of vitamin D at the right dose has been shown can quickly turn around insufficiencies quickly and easily in most people. But supplementation with vitamin D3 is not enough. Vitamin D3 needs vitamin K2 to direct calcium into bones and away from soft tissues and arteries to protect against calcification of kidneys, which is why you can opt for vegan vitamin D3 and K2 supplements which deliver extraordinary plant power to your body.
Don’t beat yourself up over it; find a source that you like and is easy to incorporate.
Learn to read babels
With veganism on the rise, many companies are working on creating vegan alternatives to regular food products. Be careful when choosing vegan-meats or cheeses, or similar products. In many cases, these items are vegan, but they’re not too healthy. This is sort of like the diet soda turning out to be worse for you than the regular soda scandal. Learn what common additives are included to make products taste as they come from animals when they don’t. Many of these compounds are linked to health problems.
Final thoughts
The above information should help you make the shift to veganism as smooth as possible. Of course, every person is different. Don’t let yourself settle for meals that make you miserable. Keep researching and learning new recipes. There is going to be a way for you to be vegan and fulfilled after every meal.
Tommy Williamson did his degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. He has an ongoing interest in mental health and well-being.
