New Vegan: 5 Useful Tips For A Happy Transition

What I wish I knew when I got started as a new vegan

You might be considering veganism or you have recently decided to go vegan.

As a new vegan, the journey can feel overwhelming. You need to figure out a whole new way of cooking, how to talk about veganism with friends and family and accept an identity shift.

You can have a smooth transition with these few tips to start your journey on the right path.

New vegan raspberries and blackberry — *Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash*

Have a Strong Why

Veganism is not always an easy ride. You might miss some food or experience FOMO or people around you make fun of it.

There will be days when you will question your choice, and you need to be prepare to stick to your guns.

There are three reasons to choose veganism: the environment, the animals and your health.

I personally find all three appealing and rely on one reason more than the others depending on the day or the product.

For example, I’m a cheese lover, probably due to growing up in France. I usually go by easily not having cheese, and if I feel like it, I buy a vegan cheese and it does the trick.

But on days when I crave it strongly, I think about the animals who are usually mistreated in the process of making cheese.

Another example is fish. For all I know it’s quite healthy to eat fish and I struggle to feel the same empathy for fish as I do for land animals. In this case, I rely on the environment argument as industrial fishing has terrible consequences on sea life and the climate.

Do Your Research

People will often question your choice, either because they believe it’s the wrong one or simply because they’re curious.

You should be prepared for this conversation that will come more frequently than you might think.

Present facts as they are and let the other piece it together at their own pace.

You should also learn a bit about nutrition. Veganism doesn’t equal deficiency, but I suppose it’s easier to lack proper nutrients if you’re not informed and deliberate.

I see food as fuel for my body, and I believe veganism is the best I can give it.

The only necessary supplement is B12 vitamin. Animals involved in the food industry are being fed B12 supplements and that is the only reason why omnivores aren’t taking B12 supplements themselves.

Documentaries to watch: What The Health, The Game Changers

Don’t Evangelise

When I first became vegan, I thought I had found the answer. And I did for me. But I was trying to tell everyone who would listen to help them get there too. I honestly had everyone best interest at heart.

However, people weren’t ready to hear what I had to say and it quickly got frustrating for everyone involved.

Everyone is on their own journey and going at their own pace. I now try to answer people’s questions when asked about it but I’m never the one bringing it up. It’s a lot simpler to give information to someone looking for it.

If you feel like it’s your mission to spread the word, maybe join an activist organisation to find like-minded people and have a greater impact than you VS the World. You can always look for a vegan Facebook group in your area.

Fight New Vegan FOMO

We all have our go-to meals and treats. The key to stick with veganism is to make sure our cravings are satisfied with a vegan options that feels as good as “the real thing”.

I try not to compare vegan food with animal products, but sometimes this girl gotta have her grilled cheese sandwich, and nothing else will do.

Vegan look-alike products are a great place to start, making the transition smoother.

But I wouldn’t stop there.

I discovered so many recipes since going vegan, and my meals are a lot more diverse and fun.

Keep it interesting and experiment, you might surprise yourself. You’’ll grow your cooking skills and impress your friends, plus it’s a lot cheaper. You can try my pancake recipe here.

Vegan processed food is delicious but also expensive and not so healthy, as any processed food is. Cooking your own food is way more satisfying and you take ownership back of what you put into your body.

You should check out Madeleine Olivia Youtube Channel, she has tons of easy and cheap recipes to get started.