There are more reasons than ever to consider transitioning to a vegan lifestyle.
When the vegan lifestyle is done right, it’s great for our health, great for the planet and great for animal well-being. (Triple win!)
In fact, going vegan is the single most effective step you can take to reduce your impact on the planet.
I doubt you need much convincing of the merits of a vegan lifestyle – but once you’ve decided to make a change, you’re probably wondering how to go vegan the right way.
Well, it’s good news!
Going vegan is easier than ever before!
There are a tonne of vegan restaurants, recipes and meals out there that can help you make the transition to a vegan diet more tasty and enjoyable.
If you’re a newbie to the vegan lifestyle, why not check out these 16 Expert Tips for Veganuary Success? (don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be January for you to try out these expert tips)
Whether you want to be a part-time vegan or go the whole (vegan) hog, there are a few basic things that you need to know about the vegan lifestyle.
Which sources of essential nutrients are vegan?
How do I maintain a varied vegan diet?
Can I go vegan on a budget?
In this handy guide on how to go vegan the right way, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about going vegan and answer the questions that are probably buzzing around your mind.
We’ll even give you a bunch of valuable vegan insider tips that will allow you to skip some of the growing pains that the rest of us went through!
We’ll also bust some negative myths about veganism along the way!
Here’s the bottom line when it comes to going vegan:
Going vegan doesn’t mean eating bland food or going without protein and calcium!
You can live a totally fulfilling life as a vegan.
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Going vegan is pretty straightforward, as long as you know your stuff.
It’s all about starting small, keeping your diet varied and building up at a pace that you’re comfortable with.
You should stay happy and healthy in a way that is right for you.
Here are our top three tips on how to go vegan for the first time:
Myth number one: ‘You need to go vegan overnight.’
Some people make the transition to veganism overnight, but it’s completely valid to take your time, (Rome wasn’t built in a day!)
While anyone can enjoy a fulfilling diet and lifestyle by going vegan, if you’ve eaten meat and animal products all of your life, going full-on vegan straight away can be a bit of a shock to the system.
If you transition to a vegan lifestyle slowly, you’re more likely to keep it up!
Here are some great ways to build-up your vegan lifestyle step by step!
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You’re already scoring points on this one by reading this article!
While you’ll find everything that you need to know about how to go vegan the right way in this guide, it’s great to check out which vegan options are going to work for you:
If you’re a London local, why not take a look at The Best Vegan Cake Deliveries in London?
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Myth number two – ‘veganism is restrictive and takes a huge amount of self-discipline.’
Years ago, going vegan was a little more challenging than it is now. There just weren’t that many vegan restaurants, alternative ingredients or vegan snacks around.
Now, however, there are so many different vegan options in your local supermarket, restaurants and even non-vegan restaurants.
So, instead of cutting meat, dairy and any other animal products out of your life – replace them with vegan foods that you love!
When it comes to replacing meat – it’s super simple. For almost all meats, you can find a vegan alternative at the supermarket! (Including bacon!)
For other aspects of your diet, like bread, eggs and cheese, try all of the vegan alternatives that you can get your hands on and find out what you like best.
This way you’ll discover the vast world of vegan foods and you may even find some foods that you didn’t even realise you love yet!
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When discovering how to go vegan, loads of us have been through a painful trial and error process to find the kind of vegan lifestyle that works well for us.
But why should you go through the same growing pains?
Here are some top insider secrets on how to go vegan that will massively help your journey to the vegan lifestyle!
When learning how to go vegan, these super yet little-known vegan foods can jumpstart your journey to a satisfying vegan lifestyle.
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Myth number three – ‘you can’t access sources of essential nutrients if you go vegan.’
This is so not true! You can easily enjoy a healthy and balanced diet that makes your body feel nourished and energetic.
Did you know that Venus Williams is vegan?
In fact, both vegans and omnivores need to consider what they eat to ensure that they get all of the nutrients, proteins, carbohydrates and fats that they need to remain healthy.
The only exception is that non-fortified vegan foods do not contain vitamin B-12.
However, this is so easy to get around, it’s basically a non-issue. You can either enjoy a vegan food fortified with B12 such as nutritional yeast, or you can take a B12 supplement!
Despite what some say, there is no one kind of vegan diet!
In fact, there can be endless variations of how you choose to eat as part of a vegan lifestyle.
Some enjoy a raw vegan diet, others only eat natural wholefoods, and some eat mostly vegan ‘junk food’ like Oreos and processed meat replacements. (Oreos are a vegan miracle!)
Now, I know that I don’t need to tell you that going vegan means avoiding all animal products, but what should you eat to maintain a varied diet and consume the essential nutrients your body needs?
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It’s time for myth number four!
‘Vegans don’t get enough calcium.’
Well, it’s kind of true…
Many vegans don’t get enough calcium, but many omnivore’s don’t either.
Calcium is super important for bone health, muscle tissue and blood clotting – so everyone needs to make sure that they’re hitting their daily calcium intake on the reg.
Calcium isn’t just important for kids!
There a lot of non-dairy sources of calcium that vegans can happily feast on:
Check out our blog post on the Best Vegan And Non-Dairy Sources Of Calcium for an in-depth look at calcium on a vegan diet.
Source: Pixabay
Iron is a mineral that can be found in lots of plant-based foods.
Why do we need it?
Well, iron is needed to produce healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body, so it’s pretty essential to maintaining good bodily functions.
As I keep mentioning, you can definitely get enough vitamins and minerals when going vegan – and iron is no exception!
Here are some awesome iron filled fruits, vegetables and plant-based foods to get your paws on:
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Now you know how to go vegan, and there is no one single way to do it.
There are loads of amazing vegan food options, and with the right information and some handy vegan myth-busting, you’ll settle into your new vegan lifestyle at a pace that is right for you.
You can totally overhaul your diet and eat organic vegan food or simply keep your existing diet and just replace animal products with vegan alternatives like Quorn and almond milk.
It’s totally up to you!
Here’s myth number five – ‘A vegan lifestyle is expensive, only some people can afford to go vegan.’
There are some pricey vegan products out there, but as demand rises, supermarkets are offering more vegan options than ever before – at reasonable prices!
On top of that, fruits, vegetables, beans and grains are no more expensive for those following a vegan lifestyle than anyone else. There are lots of recipes out there based around these inexpensive vegan ingredients.
Not to mention, meat can be some of the most expensive food going! Replacing chicken with tofu will save you money. (Cha-ching!)
The point is, you can definitely go vegan, while keeping to a budget.
Here are our tips on how to go vegan for less.
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Going vegan the right way isn’t the struggle you thought it would be right?
Basically, going vegan doesn’t mean sacrificing your health, happiness or Oreos.
You can still enjoy many of your favourite meals and food products when following a vegan lifestyle, and even use your newfound vegan diet to try something new and discover your soon-to-be favourite foods!
A great way to discover your new favourite plant-based foods is to go vegan with Plant Sumo!
Our London-based vegan meal delivery service is accessible, affordable and exceptional.
Whether you decide to opt for the one-off meal delivery service or a subscription, you are guaranteed to enjoy these restaurant-quality, 100% plant-based meals. Take a look here.
Now that you know exactly how to go vegan for the first time, I wish you all the luck in the world with your new vegan lifestyle!
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Some things to know before going vegan is to acknowledge that everyone’s eating habits are different. Some people might already have fewer vegan products in their diet so the transition isn’t as drastic. To start and see how the transition will be for you is by examining your current diet. How many non-vegan products do you eat and will it be a challenge to make the change. For example, is it a challenge to buy different products from the store or choose different options on a restaurant menu? Finding more tips for going vegan will help with the change.
There are multiple side effects when someone goes vegan because their body is adjusting to the dietary changes. Someone could experience low energy ,fatigue, weight problems, and other hormonal side effects. For more tips search how to transition to vegan diet and weigh the pros and cons.
We’re Plant Sumo, a London-based UK vegan meal prep service, delivering innovative, exciting, and flavoursome plant-based meals. If you’re on the hunt for healthy and delicious vegan food in London, look no further.
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US :+16502784421
Plant Sumo, Unit 6, Acton Business Centre, Park Royal, London NW10 6TD, United Kingdom
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Plant Sumo’s Soul Curry has been the perfect fully plant based substitute for my favorite curry dishes and I look forward to this option with each order – Lydia Sims
