Veganism has taken the world by storm, with an estimated 79 million vegans living across the globe. Simply put, reasons for veganism apart from preserving life are health reasons, and protecting the planet. Vegans avoid ingesting or using animal products, including meat, eggs, and dairy.
While plant-based vegan products can be healthy, eating out is also challenging because there are many hidden animal by-products in packaged and processed foods. That’s what makes a vegan diet hard to start – you might not know what to eat.
Also, ditching some favorite foods (yes, we mean cheese) could leave you feeling deprived and unmotivated.
But all things considered, veganism is a worthy cause, and if you’re willing give veganism a try, here are some tips that will help you switch.
Seven tips you can follow to kickstart your vegan diet.
1. Don’t Quit Meat All at Once
A common mistake new vegans make is to quit meat cold turkey. But when you’ve depended on something for most of your life, cutting it out at once might lead to some unsavory consequences. For example, the most common meat detox symptoms are caused by a lack of Vitamin B-12, according to Rush University Medical Center.
Instead, you could benefit from taking a gradual approach, such as:
- Giving up one thing at a time. Start with red meat, then poultry and fish, and finally eggs and dairy.
- Becoming a part-time vegan, then slowly scale back on your meat-eating days.
A word of advice. It is okay to cut yourself some slack every once in a while. Just know that it does get easier. Many who persist eventually find that they lose the desire for meat altogether after some time!
2. Choose Veggie-Focused Recipes
A great meal doesn’t have to include meat. When eating a plant-based diet, consider making vegetables the stars of your dishes.
Veggie meals and healthy vegan recipes are a stunning choice all around. Not only are they packed with vitamins and minerals, but they’re also high in fiber, which can leave you feeling satiated for longer. And you can always add some spice to your dishes with Mekhala’s range of organic, 100% plant-based cooking pastes!
Looking for recipe ideas?
Check out a few of our healthy vegan recipes:
- Vegan Thai Green Curry from Leftover Roasted Vegetables
- Creamy Vegan Thai Tamarind Ragu
- Quick Vegan Pad Thai
- Vegan Thai Basil Garlic Udon
- Mala Szechuan Caramel on Vegan Ice-cream
3. Learn to Prep Your Meals
Meal prepping might sound intimidating to the uninitiated- after all, there’s only so much you can fit into your fridge. But in reality, it’s as simple as cooking a single meal. All you have to do is double, triple, or quadruple your ingredients- and voila! You’re all set for the week.
Prepping meat-free meals in advance can make it a lot easier to stick to a vegan diet. You can batch-cook grains, chop aromatics, and wash-dry greens over the weekend to make weekly dinners smoother. This way, you’ll have plenty of different ingredients ready for tacos, wraps, soups, salads, and tons more!
4. Find Plant-Based Substitutes for Your Favorites
A great way to make a vegan diet sustainable and less boring is to locate plant-based substitutes for your favorite animal products.
If you like a splash of milk in your morning coffee, consider using soy, oat, or other non-dairy milk replacements. Struggling to live a life without cheese? Try vegan cheeses on for size. And there are plenty of meat substitutes in the market to satisfy your inner meat lover.
In this regard, we suggest you go with as many organic items as possible. The less processed they are, the better!
5. Don’t Assume All Vegan Products Are Automatically Healthy
Granted, veganism comes with a ton of health benefits. Research suggests that vegan food:
- Improves heart health
- Protects people against cancer
- Lowers the risk of type-2 diabetes
- Promotes weight loss
However, not everything with ‘vegan’ on the label is good for you. Using increased sugars, saturated fats, starches, and additives can subsequently lead to poor health outcomes. So, if you’re indulging in vegan cookies, know they’re no better for your waistline than regular cookies.
You can stick to whole, nutritious foods like hummus, dried fruits, nuts, whole-grain pasta, and guacamole to mix up your diet. Be sure to try a wide range of vegan food recipes as well. Just remember to always read the label!
6. Invest in Delicious Marinades and Sauces
Let’s face it, meat substitutes like tofu don’t taste like much. However, they’re excellent at absorbing flavors. That’s why you need a few appetizing marinades in your pantry.
You can season tofu, beans, and tempeh exactly how you would prep chicken. Plus, their neutral flavor profile makes them a perfect choice for any easy vegan recipes, whether grilled, blanched, or fried.
Furthermore, stock up on a few different sauces like teriyaki and sriracha to add even more flavor to your diet. While you’re browsing, check out mekhala’s shelf-stable plant-based starter packs with pre-packed pea protein meat substitute if you don’t know where to start?
7. Seek advice from a Nutritionist
If you’re worried about not getting a balanced diet on a vegan diet, your fears are completely understandable. Transitioning into a vegan diet isn’t easy, especially with all the conflicting advice that’s out there. The last thing you’d want is to lose out on essential nutrients and compromise your health in the long run.
If nutrition matters are holding you back from trying veganism and vegan food recipes, consider seeking advice from a nutritionist. A professional would be able to analyze your situation and provide guidance on food choices that will work best for you. Once you get started on the right path, there’s no turning back!
The Bottom Line
Eating a vegan diet sounds great on paper, but when it comes to putting all the pieces together, it can be tricky. You need well-planned vegan recipes to ensure you’re still getting your macros and micros after quitting meat and dairy.
Hopefully, these seven tips will help you begin your journey into the world of veganism. Remember to take things one day at a time, and you should do great!
No meal is complete without delicious ingredients. At Mekhala, we’re focused on helping you build a better Asian kitchen with our sustainable, organic Asian food products. Use our store locator to find a retailer near you today!
