The two most common questions I get as a vegan are:
1) “What do you eat?”
2) “How did you transition to veganism?”
Today, I’m going to be answering question #2. You’re probably reading this post because you’ve personally asked me questions #1 and #2, you’re curious about what veganism is, or you are are actually thinking about transitioning to veganism. Regardless, congrats on taking the first steps towards veganism!
Before I begin, I wanted to say that veganism is more than just a diet fad; it is a lifestyle of living compassionately, taking care of our Earth, and fueling our bodies with the right food. Vegans do not eat any animal products which includes meat, fish, dairy, and honey.
Okay, now that that’s clear….let’s get started! I made the decision to go vegan in January of 2017 which you can read more about in this blog post. I had been vegetarian for 5 years prior, took a year off, and felt so bloated and unhealthy that I knew I needed a change. For me, veganism was the answer! When I first started transitioning to this lifestyle, I spent 2-3 weeks focusing on cutting out meat and fish which was fairly easy for me since I was previously vegetarian for so long. After those first few weeks, I began to cut out all other animal products Monday-Friday, and would allow myself to eat dairy on the weekend. I did this for about 5 months until officially becoming fully vegan in June of 2017.
I think my transition would have been faster than 6 months, however I was traveling a majority of that time so I wanted to try new foods and fully experience each culture. Regardless, I think the best way to transition to veganism is by gradually removing animal products from your diet. I say this because I think it’s less overwhelming and more actionable. The transition may be different for everyone, but there are two important things to remember. Firstly, listen to your body and what it’s telling you. For example, you may feel very hungry which may suggest that you need to eat more volume and protein. Secondly, remember the reason why you are going vegan whether it’s for health, sustainability, or animal rights. It is especially important to remember this during times when you want to quit. In summary, transitioning to veganism is different for everyone, but with patience it can the one of the most rewarding decisions you’ll ever make!
Additional Tips:
- For vegan recipes, I love using the book Isa Does It Again (the vegan banana muffins are my favorite) and am starting to try recipes from both of Ellen Fisher’s E-books which I just bought!
- I love following two vegan blogs: Minimalist Baker and From My Bowl.
- Whenever I crave something non-vegan, rather than caving in, I find a recipe for a vegan version of the food or go to a vegan restaurant which usually satisfies my craving.
- Sometimes it is difficult to eat out so it is helpful to plan ahead and ensure you can eat something other than french fries at the restaurant you’re going to!
- Stay strong when people make poke fun at you…this will happen a lot!
- Have fun and experiment with new foods!
If you have any other specific questions, I’d be happy to answer in the comments (: