There's a wonderful quote by Gary L Francione, who says "Veganism is not about giving anything up or losing anything; it is about gaining the peace within yourself that comes from embracing nonviolence and refusing to participate in the exploitation of the vulnerable."
If this sentiment resonates with you, then you might like to try adopting a vegan diet and lifestyle.
But how easy is it to eat and live as a vegan?
Top tips for going vegan
There are oodles of useful online resources to help you transition to a vegan way of life. The Vegan Society website is a great place to start, as it has a wealth of resources for beginner vegans.
The society shares some practical, simple tips to slowly embrace veganism. Some of these include:
- Go slow: it can take time to change your mindset and meals, so go at a pace you're comfortable with.
- Be healthy: educate yourself on how to get the right mix and amount of nutrients from your diet. Swapping animal products for junky foods won't do your body any favours, so ensure you make healthy swaps.
- Connect: there are many wonderful online (and real world) communities to support you on your vegan journey. Ask for recipe and shopping list help, get support and advice for making food swaps, and discuss the ethics of veganism – all with people who understand your intentions and motivations.
- Shop on the cheap: Eating vegan isn't expensive. A typical vegan diet is chock full of beans, rice, pasta, vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts. These are nutritious, filling foods that cost next to nothing! Shop at farmer's markets, look for or setup a community co-op, or pool together with your friends to do a big vegan shop once every week or two.
- Stock your kitchen: If your house has sweets and treats and non-vegan foods, it's hard to resist the temptation to revert to your old eating habits. So clear your cupboards of non-vegan foods and keep your kitchen well stocked with vegan-friendly ingredients. This can be harder to do if you live with non-vegans, so take the time to explain to them why you are going vegan – and consider having a separate fridge and pantry for your foods.
These simple steps will get you set up to start your vegan experience. Good luck - and be sure to see a nutritionist, naturopath or dietitian for more tips on being a healthy vegan.
Originally published on Jul 06, 2015
