Whether you want to go vegan because of health concern or you want to do it based on environmental and ethical reasons, you must evaluate yourself first.
You can do so by asking some questions to yourself and link them to what veganism is all about. That way, you can be so sure with your diet choice than just merely following the vegan trend. There are specific guidelines you must be wary about, which will help you as you transition to this kind of diet.
Below, we provide you with potential questions that will serve as your guideline before you go vegan.
Am I ready with pessimistic comments? How can I maintain my relationship with my meat-loving fellas?
Veganism is considered a movement by many people because of its environmental and ethical concerns. This reason is why some people are cynical about people who are vegans. There are biases involved, and some individuals may even think that the vegan movement is attacking their kind of diet. That said, you have to be immensely sure of your ‘why’ before you go vegan, so you will become equipped to handle these comments.
Other concern is whether or not you can maintain a good relationship with your meat-loving friends. Of course, you can stay cordial with them! Kill them with kindness. When one of them gives you a remark, don’t lecture. Instead, make them at ease by using statements that don’t appear as if you’re attacking them.
Can I still get a sufficient amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals?
There is no cause of concern with your protein source if you go vegan. There are several plant-based alternatives for a protein source. You can search for plant-based products that are rich in protein, such as broccoli, nuts, pulses, beans, pulses, lentils, and soy products.
Moreover, Vitamin B-12 is a potential deficiency when you go vegan because it can be found only in meat, fish, and eggs, so taking Vitamin B-12 supplements is recommended. You can also source Vitamin B-12 from fortified foods, such as yeast extract, breakfast cereal, dairy alternatives, and dairy-free spread.
As with calcium needs, you can drink fortified plant-based milk, which has the same amount of calcium as that of cow’s milk.
Is veganism an expensive kind of lifestyle? Are vegan products affordable?
Vegan seems expensive, and we can’t blame you for thinking that way if you do. But let us break the myth that veganism is costly because it is not.
If you go for the basics that aren’t processed, they’re cheap. You can eat vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, and grains. Go away from vegan products that are usually labelled vegan and considered processed vegan food because they’re the costly ones. You can undoubtedly go vegan without breaking the bank.
Is it hard to source vegan options? Are these vegan products accessible wherever I live?
No, it is not difficult. You can go to the fresh produce section of the nearest grocery store, or you can go to the farmer’s market.
We believe that if you’re not living remotely, then vegan products are everywhere—no need to worry about their accessibility. However, if you want a guaranteed supply of these plant food options if you go vegan, then growing your food is the best way to achieve that.
Is there an extensive vegan food menu? How do I keep my vegan diet exciting and diverse?
Yes, there are several vegan recipes that you can look for online. You can even experiment on your own. Having simple recipes and trying out new sophisticated ones can provide variety to your diet. You can also keep track of the dishes you eat by creating a meal plan.
In a Nutshell
Hopefully, you can now better decide if you want to make the transition to veganism, assess yourself if you’re open to the challenge, and, most importantly, find out your most profound reason why you want to go vegan.
