Step One: Health, Environment, Ethics
Sit down and think about why you want to go vegan. Is it for the animals? The environment? Your health? It is important to keep these things in mind as you take steps to become a more compassionate consumer.
Here are some documentaries that are new vegan essentials. (In watching order)
Forks Over Knives will teach you the health benefits of becoming vegan. It has some mildly graphic scenes but overall it is extremely informative.
Even if you're not interested in the health aspects to veganism, it's important to give this one a watch. It could answer some of your questions and teach you exactly how to respond to the "but proteeeein" argument.
The second essential documentary is Cowspiracy, which will answer all your questions about how animal products affect the environment. Again, even if you are more concerned with the health benefits, this documentary is extremely beneficial expecially in our society when sustainability is a massive problem with a very simple (but often ignored) solution.
You can watch Cowspiracy on Netflix.
The final must-see documentary is Earthlings. If you have watched Forks Over Knives and Cowspiracy and still need convincing why going vegan is the right choice to make, Earthlings is the ethical documentary that will sway you.
Warning: This documentary is extremely graphic, but it's an essential watch for those who still contribute to the practices shown.
Step Two: What to Eat
Don't worry too much about what you can and can't eat. It is never about giving up the food that you love, it's about getting creative and recreating your favourite foods in a healthier, more ethical and sustainable way.
After going vegan, I remember telling my friends that I would never share a pizza or eat a slice of birthday cake again, but since that day I have eaten a huge selection of the weird and wonderful vegan versions. Some weren't so great, but you live and learn what works for you and you'll find some amazing variations of your favourite foods that you love even more. It's all about shopping around, being open-minded at different products and getting creative in the kitchen.
You'll be surprised at what foods you can still eat as a vegan. I bet you didn't know Oreos, bourbons, jelly tots and star bursts were vegan. (A blog post about more delicious I-bet-you-didn't-know-these-items-were-vegan will be coming soon.)
If you're still in doubt or you're a label-checking newbie. Here's an app that might be able to help you. If you're unsure of an ingredient, you can type it in and the app will explain exactly what it is and if it's vegan or not. Don't stress if you make a mistake, we've all been there and it's horrible, but this is real life, not Scott Pilgrim and nobody will take away your vegan powers.
Step Three: Change
A lot of people think giving up animal products means giving up their self identity, and although you might change as a person after going vegan, you don't have to.
Going vegan doesn't mean you have to dye your armpit hair rainbow colours and buy some overpriced hemp sandals (although if that's your thing that's totally fine too), it's just about being the most compassionate person possible within your personal limitations.
Never try to be perfect - it's impossible and that has never been what veganism is about. Like I said, nobody is going to take away your vegan powers if you accidently step on a bug tomorrow.
Similarly, don't try to change too much at once. If you're an avid motor cyclist who's wardrobe consists of mostly leather jackets, you don't have to burn them on a bonfire and toss out all your animal-tested cosmetics today. Take your time to replace your items one by one within your limits. Some vegans choose to keep their leather/wool/fur items from before they were vegan as the damage has already been done. Other vegans choose to donate these items to charities or to family and friends. Whatever you choose is fine as long as you aren't contributing to these companies after you turn vegan.
Going vegan doesn't mean you have to dye your armpit hair rainbow colours and buy some overpriced hemp sandals (although if that's your thing that's totally fine too), it's just about being the most compassionate person possible within your personal limitations.
Never try to be perfect - it's impossible and that has never been what veganism is about. Like I said, nobody is going to take away your vegan powers if you accidently step on a bug tomorrow.
Similarly, don't try to change too much at once. If you're an avid motor cyclist who's wardrobe consists of mostly leather jackets, you don't have to burn them on a bonfire and toss out all your animal-tested cosmetics today. Take your time to replace your items one by one within your limits. Some vegans choose to keep their leather/wool/fur items from before they were vegan as the damage has already been done. Other vegans choose to donate these items to charities or to family and friends. Whatever you choose is fine as long as you aren't contributing to these companies after you turn vegan.
Finally...
If you still have trouble going vegan, feel free to message me with your concerns (you can comment below).
Below I have listed some common concerns that will be addressed in future blogposts:
My parents won't let me go vegan, how can I convince them?
I can't afford to go vegan right now, do you have some advice? (As well as a Poor Vegan's Meal Plan, coming soon)
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