Are you considering a resolution to go vegan this coming year? If you do so, you can benefit your health and the planet — not to mention your animal friends! However, adopting this eating regimen can prove challenging. Instead of tossing out all the food in your freezer and starting over, why not adopt a gradual approach? You don’t have to give up all animal products overnight. If you treat yourself gently and educate yourself throughout the process, you may find the transition to veganism less painful and more liberating.
1. Eliminate One Food at a Time
Many people who now espouse a fully vegan diet once ate meat. Most people in the Western world grew up on a diet of animal products. Traditions don’t make a practice correct — but they do make habits more challenging to break.
Start by choosing one animal-based product to eliminate at a time. One fantastic place to start is with processed meats. Research indicates that consuming as little as three slices of ham each day increases your colon cancer risk significantly. These products also contain high levels of saturated fat, which can increase your chances of developing heart disease. Plus, many breeding sows spend their entire lives in gestation crates, unable to stand or turn around.
Wait until you no longer miss the eliminated food. Then, move on to the next. Many people decide to remove beef or pork products, and then segue to poultry.
2. Experiment with Plant-Based Recipes
Switching to a vegan lifestyle alone won’t necessarily improve your health. For example, many commercial brands of corn and potato chips technically meet vegan standards. However, most potato chip brands won’t offer any health benefits, and eating potato chips on a regular basis puts you at a higher risk of a variety of diseases, such as heart disease and tooth decay.
Instead, start experimenting with different plant-based recipes for snacks that you find online. Play around with substitutions for meat in dishes you already prepare.
3. Visit a Slaughterhouse
You can visit your local slaughterhouse in many areas, and doing so could open your eyes to making a lifestyle change. Some plants even permit children to tour the facilities, although experts disagree on whether or not this is a good idea. However, as an adult, it benefits you to educate yourself — then you can say you’ve made an informed decision!
4. Learn About Greenhouse Gases
Farmers set the Amazon rainforest ablaze to clear land for cattle production, but this action is only one environmental problem posed by beef production. Cows release a tremendous amount of methane.
Methane is devastating to climate change because of how quickly it retains heat. The gas is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide during the first two decades after release. If you’re concerned about keeping the world inhabitable for your children and grandchildren, you’ll consider reducing your consumption in various ways, including switching to veganism.
5. Spend Time with Farm Animals
Many farms allow visitors, so take the time to meet Elsie and her cohorts. You might find the conversion to veganism more logical. Most people wouldn’t dream of eating their pet dog or cat. Once you realize how gentle and intelligent creatures like cows are, it may prove more challenging to consume them.
6. Enroll in a Cooking Class
It’s more pleasurable to convert to a plant-based lifestyle when the meals you prep taste amazing. Local community colleges sometimes allow interested parties to take culinary courses. Your regional parks and recreation center may offer occasional cooking courses as well. Sign up with a friend and learn how to prepare gourmet vegan dishes. Make sure to wear your chef wear for extra fun!
7. Discuss Your Lifestyle Choices
When you feel safe doing so, discuss your lifestyle choices with others. Be aware that some people may criticize your vegan commitment and consider your conversion a subtle condemnation of their ways. Some people do have health conditions that make the consumption of animal products necessary.
You can typically support most needs-based diet without including animal products. However, refrain from making assumptions about your friends and family when you don’t know what their doctor advised. Share why you make the choices you do, but don’t insist everyone else do the same.
You Can Transition to a Vegan Lifestyle the Easy Way
With a few simple tips, you can transition to vegan living without making every drastic change at the same time. Within a short period, you may wonder why you ever craved a burger!
