3 Simple Ways to Start Eating Vegan
You are ready to start eating vegan, but you don't know where to start. Some things about this diet can feel overwhelming. Do not fret about things; the following are three simple ways you can start eating vegan.
One easy way to start eating more vegan food is to rely on experts. This means going to restaurants and supporting folks who know what they are doing with plant-based meals. You can go in or have these foods delivered to your home. The vegan lifestyle is new to you, and you might not know everything there is to know, like what kind of ingredients to use, but these folks know what to do.
If you want an easy transition, you can use these types of restaurants to help you on your journey. It might be a good idea to try new foods every time you order from the company. Take notes regarding the types of foods or ingredients you like. You should also jot down the foods you didn't like. Doing this should make it easier to start building a list of foods and ingredients you can try to make on your own later on.
Sometimes, there are no vegan restaurants nearby, but that doesn't mean the restaurants near you don't have vegan options. If you can't find vegan restaurants, this is your next best option. The more you support this movement, the more vegan cooks will feel empowered to open up something near you. Keep supporting these foods, and there may be something coming your way soon.
The next thing you can do is rely on ready-made snacks. There are many vegan options out there that you can purchase. Some of these options are online while others you'll find at your local health food store or regular market.
You want to look for things you can eat throughout the day to avoid non-vegan snacks. For example, you can get some vegan protein bars that should keep you feeling full throughout the day. Plus, a protein-rich snack is good for vegans who need to work a little harder to consume enough protein throughout the day.
You can also consider snacking on seaweed crisps, which is delicious and full of the minerals and vitamins you need. Having a good snack by your side could make it easier to avoid restaurants and fast food places you used to frequent. Hunger could be your enemy; you want to do your best to plan your meals rather than act instinctively. Just one day of hunger rumbles could make you break your diet, and no one wants that.
The next step you should take is to substitute the items you normally use with vegan options. You'd be surprised how many things you can substitute like eggs or even bacon. You might be wondering how you can substitute bacon. Well, you can use tempeh along with all sorts of seasonings.
There are also substitutes for, chicken, mayonnaise, and even cheese. You can find most of these things in your local market. You won't always get lucky since vegan foods aren't always available, so be sure to look for a health food store nearby. The last resort would be an online store. Maybe you can find a grocery store that'll deliver to your home. The reason you are doing this is that it'll make your life a lot easier. You already know what kind of foods you are used to cooking.
All you are doing is substituting, so you aren't changing your routine. You don't have to learn new recipes if all you are doing is replacing some of your signature dishes. You can continue making your egg sandwiches or grilled cheese sandwiches. You can make your chicken tenders or whatever type of food you've been used to making all of your life. This is not to say you won't ever try new recipes, but you're just starting, and it's okay to take it slow.
Once you feel ready, you can take the next step, which is experimenting with all the vegan ingredients out there. Gain confidence, learn about all the ingredients, and what they taste like so that your next step is much easier.
Katie earned a BA in English from WWU and loves to write. She also adores hiking in redwood forests and photography. She feels happiest around a campfire surrounded by friends and family.