Easy Ways To Go Vegan, Simple and Stress-free

Our Best Tips on How to Go Vegan

Household name brands are rolling out one brand-new plant-based product after another, cafes and takeaways are packed with new vegan food options for customers to try and love, and plenty of news articles are being published every day discussing the meaning of veganism and examining its stellar rise – yes, you guessed it: Veganuary is finally here!

The project has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings, signing up a record 400,000 people in 2020 and even more throughout this month, all while having helped countless people in the U.K. with transitioning to a vegan diet and lifestyle in the most stress-free way possible. Despite the rising popularity of the challenge and the widespread understanding of what a vegan lifestyle entails, those completely new to veganism can still struggle when figuring out what they can and can’t eat, what they can and can’t buy, and how to transition to veganism without feeling like they’re making an impossible sacrifice.

The figures are quite clear: most people who go vegan don’t stay vegan. The key to sticking to a vegan diet and lifestyle for the long-term (rather than just have it be another one of those New Year resolutions you never keep!) is to be fully prepared for the research and work you’ll have to do to make veganism work for you – so you can not only survive but thrive on it forever.

In this article, we’ve made the job easier by breaking down some helpful tips on how to go vegan in 2021 and stick with a vegan diet through the thick and thin, easy and stress-free!

Identify your reasons to go vegan

Why have you decided to go vegan in the first place? 

Whether it’s for health reasons, environmental concerns, or ethical arguments related to animal welfare and rights, identifying your “why” is key to sticking with veganism in the long-term (and the same could be said for any other major life decision). Of course, breaking a habit of a lifetime is never going to be an easy ride, but if you fully understand the reasons why you are committing to the choice you will get the motivation to move forward despite the challenges ahead.

Many people consider going vegan the most effective way of reducing their carbon footprint, as renouncing all animal products can help cut greenhouse gas emissions, clean polluted waterways, and save forest land – all while saving animals’ lives in the process. The health benefits of going vegan also make for a powerful motivation, as a balanced plant-based diet has been linked to a lower risk of developing deadly chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Learn the basics of vegan nutrition

Veganism is a lifestyle encompassing much more than just diet alone, but making sure you are fully aware of what you should eat to be healthy and vibrant is essential in order to make the lifestyle work for you (and perhaps, get your family and friends to join you for the ride!).

You should get familiar with the basics of vegan nutrition, including healthy recipes and the best food sources of key nutrients, before you commit to going vegan. Despite the numerous health benefits that a vegan diet can provide, new vegans should make sure they are getting enough vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine, and omega-3s, as well as make sure they are getting plenty of plant-based protein. These nutrients are more likely to be lacking in plant-based diets that don’t include a variety of colourful veg, heart-healthy legumes, and vegan-friendly supplements.

Embrace a mindset of abundance

Thinking of all the foods and familiar products you’re going to have to give up as you go vegan doesn’t make for the best motivation. Luckily, one simple change in your mindset can help you transition to veganism with more excitement than dread: focus on what you are going to gain, instead of what you’re going to “lose”.

Going vegan will allow you to discover new recipes and products, so we recommend transitioning at a slower pace to introduce new foods into your diet before you take anything away from it. Products like tofu, nutritional yeast, seitan, and tempeh can replace your old favourites so that you won’t have to miss anything once you give up all animal products. Start by introducing a couple of new vegan recipes to your diet every week – you’ll soon find that you’ll be looking forward to experimenting in the kitchen with all the new tasty, colourful ingredients! 

The same can be said for personal care items, clothes, accessories, and furniture made from or with animal products. Over time, you can gradually start to replace all your leather, wool, and beauty products tested on animals with cruelty-free alternatives.

Going vegan has never been easier

The journey to veganism is an incredibly personal one, and there is no “one-size-fits-all” for how long the transition is going to take or what it will look like. What is certain though, is that there’s never been a better time to go vegan than now: there are plenty of free resources to help you move along, the online vegan community is the biggest and loudest it’s ever been, and the rise of online vegan shopping is making veganism accessible to everyone.

So, are you ready to dive in? Watch this space for more tips and tricks on how to make a vegan lifestyle easier to stick to past January, and make the most out of a kinder, conscious living.