Often I find myself in front of a wide-eyed person, asking me a plethora of questions such as, “so, what can you eat?!”
Back in April of 2015, I decided to turn vegan and it has changed my life for the best.
So what exactly is a vegan? A vegan is a person that chooses not to consume any animal products such as meat, seafood, milk, eggs, cheese, gelatin and honey. Most vegans also do not buy animal products to wear such as leather and fur. Most people who turn vegan do it for ethical, environmental, and or health reasons. After watching several YouTube videos and documentaries (which I will link below), I decided I wanted to do it for all three reasons.
After just two weeks, I felt a difference. The longer I did it, the better I felt. Keep in mind, there is such thing as an unhealthy vegan. It’s all about what you put in your body. Some of the benefits I noticed were:
1. More energy!
You know when you sleep 7-9 hours and still wake up feeling sluggish and not well rested? Yeah, not anymore! I would always wake up around 11 am- 12 pm feeling exhausted. Now, I am up by 8-9 am feeling well rested.
2. Ladies, your menstruation cycle will thank you.
I don’t mind having my period as much anymore. It has become way less painful!
3. Bowel Movements
Let’s just say, it becomes quick and easy! You will have the perfect poo, (daily).
4. Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Becoming vegan, it is likely you will lose some weight due to the elimination of most saturated and trans fats. If you are not looking to lose weight, it is possible to maintain your current weight or gain weight on a vegan lifestyle.
Other benefits many vegans mention: clearer skin, less body odor and stronger hair and nails!
However, one of the best benefits is being a part of a community that stands up for the rights of our voiceless friends, the animals.
Moreover, I am not going to sit here and tell you that it does not have its difficulties. It can prove to be challenging. People will most likely question you and judge you. Others will be interested and positive. Living with non-vegans has been the biggest difficulty. I wasn’t perfect and have had a few bumps along the journey. I would give into cravings and eat the occasional non-vegan cookie or candy. Sometimes this can be accidental. It is important to not be hard on yourself and to just keep moving forward.
If you are interested in trying out veganism, here are my top tips!
1. Educate yourself!
Learn about the meat and dairy industry. Yes, it may be hard to watch those disturbing videos of animals being tortured and killed but it is the reality and it is very important in staying motivated. Learn about the health benefits. Without animal products in your life, you reduce the risk of most illnesses such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. Did you hear that the World Health Organization now considers processed meats a carcinogen? And last but not least, learn about how veganism can even help the environment! What a difference it would make if we did not clear rainforests to have to feed and slaughter billions (yes billions) of animals each year.
2. Eat, eat, eat!
One of the main reasons people have difficulty staying vegan is because they don’t feel satisfied. This is because you have to become accustomed to eating bigger portions. Foods with animal products are more filling quicker than those without. Carbohydrates are your best friends! No, vegans do not only eat vegetables. Enjoy your rice, pasta, potatoes, quinoa, fruits, beans, legumes and plenty of other whole, plant based foods. Yes, you can get all the vitamins, protein, iron and fiber you need from all these foods.
3. There are alternatives!
I know it can be difficult to let go of your favorite non-vegan foods but I promise you, there is usually always a delicious alternative. Missing meat? There are plenty of brands that make fake chicken, sausage and beef in many different ways. There are also plenty of fake cheeses. You do not have to say goodbye to pizza.
4. Read the label
Not all products are going to label their products as vegan but you’d be surprised to find that many products are what we call “accidentally” vegan, such as Oreos! Just make sure to read the labels. If something contains milk or eggs, the label usually puts it in bold. Again, it is okay to make a mistake. It takes some getting used to.
Keep in mind, veganism is not a diet, it is a lifestyle. Try it out and spread the word!
Helpful Links:
101 Reasons to go Vegan (my favorite): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4HJcq8qHAY
Best Speech You Will Ever Hear- Gary Yourofsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es6U00LMmC4
Earthlings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibuQ-J04eLQ
Vegan Youtubers: That Vegan Couple, Kalel, The Vegan Zombie, Cheap Lazy Vegan, Supreme Banana, Just Another Vegan, and many others!