How To Go Vegan: Top Tips for Beginners That Work
For those who joined the pure vegan world, read on! This blog is one of the most requested blog posts and I am very happy to share it with you today.
Before we begin I would like to allude some points:
- I never try to force you to become a vegan. This is not my philosophy and my way. I think you should do what you think is right for you, and let others do it too
- And if you have no interest in adopting a vegan diet, you don't have to. You will still be able to benefit and enjoy this post and the ideas that I will share.
- Add more vegan food to your meals because it's always a profitable deal.
- If you are a person with a health condition, impaired immunity, or you are breastfeeding children; I suggest that you see a doctor or a dietitian so that you get to start right.
Be Positive
I suggest you forget the following myths you may have heard about pure veg food:
- Some say that it's expensive
- You won't get enough nutritional value
- It's very complicated and difficult to build in your life
The vegan eating is delicious, nutritious and full. It is food that loves you just as you love it. And like anything else, it gets easier with time and practice. You will later find economic places to shop. Preparing meals will get faster over time.
Don’t Push Yourself Too Much
So ignore everything you think you know. Start the vegetarian system with an open mind. Some people think that when they become vegan, they should also be:
- Without waste, and in a simple lifestyle
- Without sugar
- Without alkaline
- Without oils
Give Yourself Some Time
As I said, everything looks more difficult and it takes a longer time to start. The reason why I deliberately set aside extra time for preparing meals at least during the first weeks. Then, it will get faster later. Don't worry.
Always Have Stock Food
A lifestyle change will be complicated. If you don't have something to start working with, start creating the core component store.
Also, if you were in the beginning, don't go too far and deny yourself to all snacks. Don't even look at others who eat it and feel luckier than you.
The vegetarian system is just as fun I always enjoy eating a dark chocolate bar at home. And because a fully vegan diet means you eat well most of the time.
Don't deny yourself to the enjoyment of snacking times. Meals like homemade vegetable, banana cake, cupcakes, or homemade vegetable cookies, are all delicious, in addition to the store of vegetable ingredients.
Ensure that you have fresh produce bread and vegetable substitutes for meat.
Think of Adding, Not Taking away
This system is not a starvation system. It is an abundant eating system. A lot of times, when people think about the vegetarian system, they start focusing on things they can't eat like chicken, pork, beef, fish, cheese, yoghurt, butter, ice cream, milk and so on.
But that's not the right thinking. Instead, let's focus on all the things we're going to add. Let these additions gradually replace the old ones. Add vegetable milk products such as soy, milk, yoghurt, almond, rice and coconut. More whole grains, fruits and vegetables. More nuts, seeds, legumes, lentils and tofu. And you got the idea.
If you are new to the vegetarian system, take advantage of Vegetarian alternatives to meat (such as soy balls and protein) vegetable meatballs, ground beef, vegan chicken. All available in large and international supermarkets. It will definitely help you to switch to a vegan diet easily.
But if you are worried that you do not know how to cook tofu, there are some stores where you can buy pre-marinated tofu. Over time, you'll be able to start replacing these manufactured options.
With full vegetable protein options like tofu, tempeh and lentils. But in the beginning, go ahead and take advantage of all your options.
Add Legumes Gradually
When you start adding lentils and legumes as sources of protein and carbohydrates in your meals, start slow. Most people suddenly move from no legumes to one or more cups per day.
They wonder why they suffer from indigestion or gas. It takes some time for our bodies to get used to it. Start seriously with a small amount (like two tablespoons a day) then gradually raise the quantity to a quarter cup, half a cup, then a cup or any amount you want.
The gradual increase in the number of legumes reduces indigestion and flatulence problems. I realize that it may seem exhausting at first. Especially if you don't know what to do. So start learning some recipes that you enjoy, then and master it.
Learn A Few Recipes
These will become your basic recipes. As days go by, and when you get used to it, you will find that the recipes are endless on the internet.
You can see thousands of delicious vegetarian recipes there. Just write down vegetarian recipes. You will find more recipes than you can imagine.
And if you feel this is a lot of work for you, you can always visit Vegan.io. You will find options that arranged for you, divided into breakfast, juices, drinks, snacks, main meals and more.
Don’t Ignore Your Hunger
It is normal for you to feel hungry at the start of changing your diet. Remember that vegan food provides fewer calories. Larger quantities of fruits, vegetables and legumes do not provide the same calories that you find in the same amount of fatty meats like butter, cheese or ice cream.
If you complete your meal but then you feel you're still hungry after an hour or two, respect your hunger. It will take you some time to get used to it. But trust that your body will change and find its own balance very soon.
Focus on “Why”
I say this a lot because I think it is our most powerful tool.
What strength do you have?
Why do you want to be a vegan?
Is it for your health?
For the environment?
For animals?
Can you be more specific?
Can you write it down?
By seeing it constantly written and reminding ourselves of the reason, it will make it easier for us to commit. The other thing is that knowing the "why", helps us changing our focus from the things we left off, like our ability to eat chicken.
Our focus instead is focused on improved health gain; good impact on the environment; and the gain of knowing that we were not the cause of the pain of an animal who lost his life until we enjoyed our meal.
Whatever your reason, there is no ruling on your choice. The question you should ask yourself is: Why? It helps you to redirect your focus, from the things you think you are losing and to the things that you actually earn. Don't be nervous. Just do what makes sense to you.
Messed Up? That’s Okay
There are stories of vegetarians who switched to the vegetarian system day and night, and they did not revoke it. We make them fall for it because, to be honest, the path of the vegetarian path is a zigzag line (more than a straight line).
Think about it, you're rewriting years from the instructions of traditional feeding methods and rediscover the habits you lived with all your previous life.
So if you stumble, just turn it into a dance and keep smiling! In other words, if you are disappointed (not fully compliant). That's okay. Just get up and carry on.
Take Supplements
Yes, Vitamin B12 is recommended. But the number of times to take it depends on the dose.
Even if you live in an area where the sun does not shine a lot, or if you always wear sunscreen, Vitamin D is also recommended. This applies to everyone and not only vegetarians.
For me, the vegan diet is not just sympathy only with animals, the environment, and my health. But it also means widening the circle of empathy to include friends, family and even strangers.
Unfortunately, in the world of plant nutrition, there may be some criticism and judgment against others.
Share The Message
Perhaps you've heard or read someone saying, "You eat fish? Then you are not a real vegetarian" or maybe "If you eat honey, you cannot call yourself a vegan".
According to strict guidelines for the plant system, this may be considered true. But I say Ignore strict guidelines. Just do your best. Eating vegan food most of the time is a clear win compared to absolutely nothing.
And if you are a person currently following the vegetarian system, I encourage you to spread the vegan message with love. Answer the questions openly and honestly, without judgment and criticism of others.
Just be a leader by being an example to follow. If they feel inspired by you, it will be more likely to join you than if they felt pressured or felt somehow not good.
Visit Your Doctor
For anyone who wants to switch to a vegan diet, I also have additional advice. You can always visit your doctor and do a blood test before you start the vegan diet. Repeat the test 6 or 12 months after adopting the vegetarian system.
Of course, I am not obligated to do so, but this idea may help you. It increases your confidence and reassures you, and your loved ones, that everything is going well.
In many cases, the results of the laboratory will indicate the absence of any problems. In several cases, you will find a positive development in some results such as cholesterol.
This is what encourages some people to adopt a vegetarian system. But in some cases, laboratory results may indicate a decrease. This is the aim of the analysis, to ensure that everything is OK.
So do not worry, remember that you are in the stage of learning. This may mean that you did not pay attention to a specific type of food and now you have to incorporate it into your diet.
If you choose not to do a blood test, then it is not a problem. If the vegetarian system is applied correctly, then there should be no deficiency in an integrated vegan system.
Conclusion
Well, this is it for today. I hope this post helps you with your decisions in selecting the lifestyle that works best for you.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://healthypinoys.com/beginners-guide-to-veganism-how-to-go-vegan/