What was it like to become VEGAN?
STAGE 1. WHAT CAN I EAT. When I just became vegan, I was so confused about what I can or cannot eat. Like I got the idea – no meat, no dairy, no fish, but these foods are such a huge part of every day life that I really found myself questioning the most obvious vegan foods – like hummus for example. That’s a quick stage, very quickly I realized that there are MANY options available.
STAGE 2. WHERE TO GET PROTEIN? Yes, there are many plant protein options available, but there is so much contradicting info about WHAT KIND of protein is best. I was SO confused, and sometimes out of frustration, honestly, I’d eat some eggs. Now I read enough to know that plant protein is plentiful and sufficient.
STAGE 3. SOCIETY. I knew exactly why I went vegan – for the animals first. I watched PETA videos and read books and my motivation could not be shaken. But then of course, my first instinct was to PREACH everyone everywhere ALL the time. My poor husband. I still WANT to turn everyone vegan (hence the insta page), but YOU CANNOT FORCE VEGAN down the throat. You will only turn people against you and they will think vegans are crazy and certainly won’t want to be a part of crazy community. LEAD BY EXAMPLE, and talk benefits, not threats.
STAGE 4. ALL OTHER NUTRIENTS. New vegan quickly learns that some supplements may be required. Usually it’s B12, Iron; less common – Calcium and Omega-3. I will do a post on all nutrients later, but if you do the research, you can get all the nutrients you need on PLANT based diet. And if you find it easier to take supplements – they are easily available and it’s def better for you to get them through supplements vs meat. Nutrients you get through animal products are absorbed worse and come in a REALLY BAD package (hormones, cholesterol, saturated fats..)
STAGE 5. CLEAN EATING. Vegan diet is not perfect and can be BAD! Think chips, oreos, all kind of vegan desserts…There is also a tendency in the beginning to be afraid you are not getting enough calories leading to carb overload – eat different types of food and you’ll be fine, trust me. Always choose fresh veggies and fruits over processed foods.
