WHAT I'VE LEARNED AFTER BEING VEGAN FOR 1 YEAR
Happy 1st Veganniversary!
…And Cheers to Many More!
Hooray~it’s my first Vegan Anniversary! I first went vegan in October 2019. As a birthday present, my meat-lovin’ man decided to join me in a 30-day vegan challenge. He’s eaten more plant based meals since, and I haven’t stopped! I love my new lifestyle and am excited to bring my entire family to the greenside ~(little do they know).
As a first year vegan, there’s a lot that I’m still learning. I’m excited to get this far (‘cuz I used to love fried fish, y’all). However, plant-based feels good, even after it goes down. I’m proud of myself for deepening the level of commitment that I have to my health. Here’s 12 things that I’ve learned in the past year as a vegan:
VEGAN DOES NOT MEAN HEALTHY: The package may say ‘VEGAN,’ but that does NOT ALWAYS mean it’s healthy. Just like any lifestyle or dietary change, being healthy is based on your choices. Pre-packaged and processed vegan foods can sometimes be as unhealthy as the rest. With so many meat alternatives available, it can be tempting to eat more processed vegan proteins, like veggie burgers, veggie sausage, veggie meatballs, etc. The key is checking out the ingredients to make sure that the product is not genetically modified. It’s also good if it’s high in protein, and low on sodium and fat.
‘FRESH’ VEGAN PROTEIN IS SIMPLE TO FIND: Non-processed protein options include all types of beans, lentils, nuts, peas, oatmeal, quinoa, kale, tahini, seeds and nutritional yeast.
CARBS ARE NOT A MEAT SUBSTITUTE: I lost 5 pounds when I initially removed meat and dairy from my diet. However, as I leaned more on carbs, I gained the weight back. It’s important to reframe the concept of a balanced meal. The standard American diet (or SAD as they call it :/) pulls from a meat/carbs/vegetable template. There are other ways to balance to your plate. This includes eating a protein-rich meals with healthy fats, and good carbs, like fruits, veggies, and grains.
THE HUNGER: You may get hungry quicker when adopting a vegan lifestyle. Plant based proteins, fruit and veggies process quicker than meat in our bodies. For me, I’ve learned that the trick is loading up on more protein and water to stay full. It’s also suggested to review your calorie intake, to make sure that you’re eating enough food daily. Here’s a good explainer.
TRANSITION KIDS GRADUALLY: My children are open to a more gradual approach, when it comes to introducing vegan options to them. They’re plant based about 70% of the time. I’m finding success in introducing them to more fruit and vegetables through juicing and making soups and smoothies. They also happily allow me to veganize some of their favorites (like pizza and burgers), as long as the taste is on point! I’ve also found that starting them out with at least one vegan meal a day helps. Like, when I make breakfast, it’s usually meatless and dairy-free.
Vegan life became simple once I connected the power of food to the vitality of my mind and body.
Then it was just about getting into a rhythm.
6. NO SHAME ZONE: Vegan life ain’t for everybody, so I don’t shame folks or try to bring them along, if they’re not interested. If they are—they know where to find you! Everyone goes at their own pace. It took me a few years before I fully dove in as vegan. I went from eating poultry to being a pescatarian, then vegetarian, and finally vegan. Documentaries like The Game Changers and What The Health helped.
7. FIND SUPPORTIVE DOCTORS: It helps that most of our doctors support plant-based eating for both adults and our children, along with the benefits that it provides. It was also helpful to get great test results after my annual physical exam. All of the good energy that I felt internally, after going vegan, was supported on paper.
8. SUPPLEMENTS: It’s OK to say YES to vitamin supplements! Once approved by your doctor/health care provider, they’re great to help fill in any nutritional gaps or deficiencies, as needed. Plant-based supplements like elderberry are also great immune boosters.
9. ENERGY: Eating more plant based foods has given me a natural energy boost that I didn’t know I needed! Fewer low energy days, for sure.
10. MONTHLY CYCLE CHANGES: Maybe TMI, but period has also improved since I cut meat and dairy out of my diet. Less cramping and bloating for sure! I also have lighter and shorter periods.
11. COOKING: Vegan life has forced me outside of my comfort zone when it comes to cooking, which is a good thing! I’ve done a lot more experimenting in the kitchen and have discovered some great recipes and healthy substitutions.
12. IT'S NOT HARD: Being vegan is not as difficult as I thought that it would be! Once I changed my eating habits, and became more aware of how I was fueling my body, everything changed. It’s mostly a taste and mental game. Once I got that down, I was good!
The Journey Continues…
Now, I’m bringing my family with me :)