At the start of January 2022, I committed to veganism, which means I eliminated meat and any animal products, such as milk and eggs from my diet. It parallels a plant-based diet; I primarily use products that are cruelty-free, meaning no animal testing involved and vegan. It signifies the product is void of ingredients derived from an animal. In this transition, I have found that some days are harder than others, but everyday is easier than yesterday.
The days in which I find difficulty maintaining a vegan lifestyle are those rare days I venture out of my cozy apartment, and find myself looking for plant-based options in a world where meat consumption dominates.
But let me rewind. How did I even get here?
Coming from a Mexican household, I’m leaving behind such delicious traditional foods such as tamales, enchiladas, and the caldito de pollo (chicken soup) my mother always cook for me. The truth is, my relationship with food has been transforming for a very long time now. Somewhere along the years leading to the present, being vegan became a matter of when, rather than if.
why I decided to go vegan
Trauma from my past eating disorder left me with the desire to heal my relationship with food. In 2021, that’s what I did. I incorporated more veggies, ate cleaner meals, and became more intuitive with my body. But I still had triggers. After all I put my body through, I owed it to myself to feel healthier. I took it a step further this year and became vegan.
While going through deep healing last year, I also became much more immediately aware of my participation as a consumer in the meat industry. The meat industry uses cruel and merciless methods of production. There is no regard for the life of the animal as an individual and a sentient, intelligent species. It’s a system that needs to be reformed. I just couldn’t continue supporting it.
I must make something clear: I don’t judge people for eating meat. There are many reasons why people need or want to eat meat. As a rational, advanced, and more organized species, I believe that we are capable of a meatless world, or at least the reformation of the meat industry. Other topics of morality, ethics, humanity, and even spirituality are engaged in this dialogue. This is where it becomes complicated.
I came to the realization that my present values were not in alignment with how I lived my life. My gratitude for food in conjunction with experiencing its healing potential first-hand, led to an evaluation of how I could be accountable for my contribution and interaction with nature and the beings that inhabit Earth. Even if better methods of production are put in place, I don’t see myself going back. I can’t say that it’s not possible, because anything is possible. However, my current self feels most at peace with the decision to be vegan.
The Benefits of A Vegan Diet
When you become vegan, you have a greater awareness of the ingredients that go into your body. You also start to realize that milk tends to be in almost every product on the market. When I go out to eat, I always have to ask the cashier or waiter endless questions. Is the oil or butter dairy free? Does the bread contain any egg or milk? Does this or that? Could you possibly do this? Can you confirm for me, please? It can get exhausting and I often feel bad for asking so many questions. Unfortunately, even after all the questions I’ve asked, I may still end up consuming animal products, due to cross-contamination, miscommunication or misunderstanding. I’ve had two incidents so far where I’ve consumed regular milk and eggs. When I realized, I just stopped eating it. I know they won’t be the last incidents either, but at least on my end, I know I’m doing all I can to assure myself that the meal is vegan.
When I told my mother, she started listing all the vitamins I would need to fuel my body with nutrients. It was a valid concern and one I had already anticipated. For the first few weeks, I documented my food with a meal tracker to see if I was intaking the proper amount of macros. After some time, I became familiar with certain meals, learning how to combine them for a full day of proper eating.
I’ve only been vegan for about two months, but the changes are extraordinary. Though I have had to leave behind some of my favorite foods, I am enjoying finding new substitutes or even completely new creations.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed much less bloating and my energy levels are higher which allows me to focus more. I feel lighter, at times almost as if I’m floating which sounds kind of funny. My skin has cleared significantly. One other thing, I do go to the restroom more often to perform number two, but hey, at least it means I’m eating well! I’ve been mostly cooking my own meals, so I’ve left behind a lot of processed foods.
Disclaimer: I also exercise for about an hour, two to three days per week. I use a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen for my skin. Everything in combination has allowed me to see these desirable changes, but I believe going vegan has precipitated more profound effects.
I know I’m privileged to say I can maintain this lifestyle, especially since I live in Southern California. There are many vegan options available and many vegan restaurants around the Orange County area. In Santa Ana, my hometown with a predominantly Hispanic and Latinx population, now has a couple vegan Mexican restaurants, which is very exciting.
Hopefully in reading my experience, you see how intricate the reasoning behind becoming vegan was for me. It’s not a static or easy lifestyle to navigate. As I continue, I look forward to learning more about what it means to be vegan in this interconnected world.