How To Go Vegan

Tips for an Easy Transition
a man refusing a delicious steak

Veganism is trending these days, and while most people don’t choose a vegan lifestyle for its cool factor, that popularity has made it easier to opt for a solely plant-based diet.

Whether you’ve decided to switch to a vegan diet to help prevent the exploitation of animals, to improve your health, to promote a green planet, or all of the above, you’ll find many resources and products to smooth the way.

Tips for Starting a Vegan Diet

Here are some strategies to start you down a vegan path.

  • Build on What You Know

    You likely already have some vegan meals in your repertoire, along with vegetarian meals that can be “veganized.” Think bean-based chili, pasta and veggies, lentil stew, and stir fry. Start with those so you don’t need to come up with something new for every meal.

  • Try Jackfruit

    With a texture similar to meat, this fruit can replace pork, beef, and chicken in recipes and has 3 grams of protein per serving.

  • Ease Into It

    • Start with One Meal

      Committing to one plant-based meal per day is a great start. You might try breakfast—hot or cold cereal with fruit, nuts, and nondairy milk will fuel your morning. For a weekend brunch, make an egg-substitute veggie omelet, “bacon” made from tempeh or soy, and plant-based yogurt on the side.

    • Think in Proportion

      Ease into vegan living by gradually upping the amount of plant-based foods on your plate and decreasing the amount of meat, eggs, and dairy.

  • Do Your Homework

    Read about veganism, join online forums, talk with longtime vegans and newbies (new-vees?), and watch documentaries on living the plant-based life.

  • Read Labels

    Find local shops and restaurants that offer vegan products and entrées. When you shop for groceries, examine the ingredients. Not all vegan products are labeled “vegan,” and some items you think will pass the test don’t—some pasta has egg in it, for instance, and some cornbread mixes contain animal fat.

  • Make a Supplement Plan

    Vegans need to be sure to get enough of the following nutrients

    • vitamin B12
    • vitamin D
    • omega 3s
    • iodine
    • iron
    • calcium
    • zinc

    You can address each of these separately through diet, supplementation, exposure to sun, etc., but while you’re still feeling your way into a new way of eating, consider researching multivitamin-mineral supplements designed for vegans.

  • Be Steadfast

    Finally, don’t be daunted! You can go as fast or slow as you want in arriving at “full veganhood.”

Click to See Our Sources

How to smoothly transition to a plant-based diet by Noma Nazish, www.Forbes.com, 11/30/18

Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, www.ILoveVegan.com

Vegan diets: Practical advice for athletes and exercisers by D. Rogerson, International Society of Sports Nutrition, 9/13/17

Why go vegan? www.VeganSociety.com

Contributor

Jane Eklund

Jane is a long-time resident of New Hampshire, where she holds an editorial position at Keene State College. She has a background in both literary and journalistic writing, including book reviews, poetry, and history.