Tips for New/Transitioning Vegans

Do your research. Learn about the meat, dairy, and egg industries and the torture that animals raised for food products experience. Also learn how to get all of the nutrients that your body needs, most people believe that animal products are essential for human health, but you will learn that animal products are actually detrimental if you do your research. You will get all of the nutrients that you need from plant-based sources, but you should also do your research on the supplement B12 as a vegan to see if it’s something that you should start taking. I personally don’t need to take the supplement because I obtain it through my food but it’s definitely something you should look into if you are a new vegan. During the research process, I recommend reading articles, books, and watching documentaries - here are some resources.
Try out new vegan recipes. My next tip is to look up vegan recipes and try them, there are so many yummy vegan recipes out there - all of the recipes here on my site are vegan. When you’re trying all of these new foods, you won’t be focusing on what you can’t eat anymore, you’ll be focusing on all of the yummy (and cruelty-free) foods that you CAN eat!
Find vegan alternatives for non-vegan food. People perceive veganism as an extremely limited diet, but it’s really not. The only foods that vegans cannot consume are animal products. If you are one of those people who wants to go vegan, but cannot live without ice cream, burgers, etc., you don’t have to give them up entirely! There is such as thing as vegan ice cream and it’s delicious, most vegan meats taste the same real meat, and there are many vegan alternatives for dairy products such as non-dairy milks, vegan cheese, vegan yogurt, etc.
Turn your favorite non-vegan recipes into vegan recipes! My third tip actually leads directly into this fourth tip.. When I was first transitioning to veganism, I was a little bummed that I would no longer be able to make and eat some of my favorite recipes. I soon realized it is actually so easy to veganize any recipe. For example, I always loved Macaroni Potato Salad. I swapped out the regular mayo for vegan mayonnaise (Veganaise) and it tastes exactly the same! Instead of making fish tacos, I use beans and/or grilled veggies. It’s also easy to swap out butter and eggs in baking with vegan alternatives. All in all, switching out animal products for vegan alternatives is easy, you just have to get creative.
Make sure to incorporate fruits and veggies into every meal. Fruits and vegetables are your main sources of nutrition and energy in any diet/lifestyle, not just veganism. They are nutrient dense and low in calories so there is really no limit to how many fruits and vegetables you eat. When you eat lots of fruits and vegetables you will notice that you have more energy and less cravings for bad foods. You will notice that you won’t crave sweets as much because your body will be obtaining the glucose (sugar) that it needs and craves through the fruits, and it’s sugar that’s actually good for you and essential for bodily function!
Eat enough calories. Since vegan foods tend to be lower in calories than non-vegan foods, you need to make sure that you are eating enough. Some people complain of low energy levels when they first go vegan and the reason is that they simply aren’t consuming enough calories. Because fruits and vegetables are high in bulk, but low in calories, you have to eat larger portions of these. Think about it.. 2-3 slices of cheese = 300 calories and 75 medium-sized strawberries = 300 calories. That’s a huge difference! You definitely should have more energy and never be hungry as a vegan if you are doing it right.
Remind yourself of the reasons you are a vegan. This is my final tip for any vegan, remember that you are doing this for your health and to help others. A plant-based vegan diet is the BEST for your health - various studies have shown that people who consume a plant-based diet are leaner, have lower levels of cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels, less risk for diseases and cancer, live longer lives, and are overall healthier than those who do not. Also, if you wouldn’t hurt or kill an animal yourself in order to eat it, then why are you paying someone else to do it for you? If you are craving something that involves eating an animal product, just remember that your taste buds are not as important as saving an animal from suffering or death.