1. Know your why (make the ethical connection).
Think about what motivates you to become a vegan. Whether it is for your own health of for the environment. My personal reason is because of my love of animals and my belief that we shouldn’t mistreat animals.
2. Transition at your own pace.
You don’t have to go vegan overnight. Although a lot of people have gone vegan overnight, it is much easier for most people to transition into the vegan lifestyle.
3. Eat a balanced primarily whole foods plant-based diet.
I’m not a nutrition expert, but from what seen and what I’ve learned, a whole foods, plant-based diet that is well-balanced and calorically sufficient is a very healthy diet. Check out vegan nutrition source like Dr. Gregor – he has a daily dozen checklist that you should be eating on a day to day basis.
4. Create a list of around 5 easy GO TO vegan meals.
Learn a few easy, affordable meals that you can whip up quickly. Stir-fries, easy pasta dishes, curry recipes, easy oatmeal recipes, rice bowls, chili, soup, there are so many meals you can make. and I highly encourage experimenting and having fun with different kinds of vegan meals. BUT to avoid getting overwhelmed, maybe have a list either in your head or on a piece of paper or on your phone of around 5 different GO TO vegan meals that you enjoy on a regular basis. Watch the video below for my top 12 go to vegan recipes and make sure to check out the rest of my Youtube channel!
5. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
It’s very important to be prepared, especially when you’re first starting to be a vegan, since it can be easy to slip-up. Keep your pantry and fridge stocked. I strongly encourage meal prepping to save yourself time and ensuring you have meals ready to eat throughout the week. Click here for my Vegan Meal Prep playlist!
6. Don’t strive for perfection.
If you make mistakes, be kind to yourself. Learn from your mistakes and move forward. It’s not going to be easy to change your lifestyle so allow yourself to make mistakes.
7. Supplement!!! b12
Make sure you supplement and take your health seriously. My main two supplements are B12 and D3.
8. Don’t stop learning and growing .
Continue to learn and grow as an individual and a vegan. Gather more knowledge related to the subject and keep advocating for veganism.
9. Be empathetic and understanding.
Try to be empathetic and understanding towards everyone. Try to understand where people are coming from, whether they are a meat-eater or a vegan-hater. You don’t have to agree, but accept that people will have different opinions. Insulting non-vegans will not get you anywhere. I’ve made several videos where I discuss common arguments against veganism and my thoughts on them. Click here to watch part one.
10. Socialize and participate in the vegan community.
Try to meet and socialize with other vegans as much as you can and use available resources. It can be hard to feel alone being a vegan and it’s important to find support from other vegans, whether it’s in person or online.
11. Hungry? eat!!! Choose balanced meals!
If you’re hungry, eat! Your body might go through an adjustment period. But make sure to eat more whole foods and balanced meals. It’s very important to supplement with plant-based protein or you’ll always be hungry. Nuts and seeds are great for little snacks or vegan protein bars.
12. Have fun and experiment with different recipes!
Have fun with the vegan lifestyle! There are so many different foods to try that are vegan. Challenge yourself by turning some of your favourite non-vegan meals into vegan versions.
