What You Need to Know Before Going Vegan

Whether you’re a vegetarian or a meat-eater going straight to the vegan lifestyle, there are things you need to know in order to make the transition a smooth one. It’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into and what to expect if you’re going to succeed in making this lifestyle modification.

Here are a few of the most vital things to consider before you make the jump to becoming a vegan:

What does a vegan diet include?

Vegans exclude all animal products, even dairy and eggs. This means that vegans largely rely on fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes. There are also plenty of protein powders out there like Naturade’s Pea Protein powder and Living Harvest Hemp Protein powder that are vegan-friendly and allow dieters to enjoy a cool, sweet and tasty shake.

Vegan doesn’t always mean healthy

Many people assume that making the switch to a vegan diet means that they will be on a strict regimen of healthy foods only, which will help them to shed the pounds. However, there are a lot of processed vegan foods out there that are filled with unhealthy ingredients. Your biggest assistance here is going to be taking the time to read food labels. You’ll be able to maintain a healthy diet as long as you stick with simple, whole foods.

Don’t get down on yourself

When making this diet and lifestyle change, you can’t expect to adapt easily and right away. There are going to be certain things that you’ll have to get used to, and plenty of bumps along the road. Sometimes, it can take as long as several years to go completely vegan, whether it’s due to lack of knowledge or not having the right ingredients to whip up dinner. Many vegans are vegans 75-85% of the time, succumbing to animal protein when they eat out, have holiday dinners with the family, or attend business functions.

You’ll have to learn to alter your cooking techniques

Vegan ingredients and cooking techniques are different than those for meats. Substitutions like oil-based spreads, chia seed eggs or nutritional yeast can deliver an delicious nutty or cheesy flavor to the dish that you didn’t expect. It takes time to learn which ingredients and substitutions work best, and which should just be left out of a recipe.

We’re here for you!

There are so many individuals who are making the jump into veganism, and the web is filled with individuals who are willing to support you and help guide your journey to a new diet and lifestyle. This site will provide great recipes from kickstart participants and sites all over the web. Thanks to everything from books, vegan television chefs, videos, movies, and websites that share delicious vegan dishes, it’s easy to find a helping hand wherever you go.