When most people think of veganism, they imagine a complex and restrictive lifestyle. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth! In reality, becoming a vegan is simple and straightforward. Here’s a guide to help guide you through becoming vegan.

Why go vegan? 

The most common objection people raise to veganism is that they can’t give up meat or dairy products. However, there are many reasons why you should try to go vegan. Veganism has significant health benefits; according to recent studies, vegans have lower blood pressure and cholesterol as well as a lower risk of heart disease. Veganism also reduces environmental strain; animal agriculture is responsible for up to 18% of greenhouse gas emissions – more than all forms of transport combined.

The environment benefits too. A vegan diet requires around one-third of the land needed to support a meat-based diet, and four times less water. Humans are also increasingly affected by the greenhouse gases caused by animal agriculture; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations believes that livestock production will be one of the major causes of global warming if no action is taken to reduce it.

Veganism saves animals too! Each year, more than 56 billion farmed animals are killed worldwide – that’s roughly 2,000 per second! Going vegan helps reduce that unpleasant statistic. 

The best time to go vegan is now! Here’s how to do it. 

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Find new recipes and foods

Going vegan doesn’t mean depriving yourself of your favorite foods! There are many alternative recipes, both online and in print. Go to your local library or the bookstore and search for vegan cookbooks. There are also plenty of vegan recipe websites. You can also look for new foods to try, such as vegan snacks.

Find new restaurants

Nowadays, it’s really easy to find a great vegan restaurant. Just try looking up some places online and choose a few that look good. You’ll find a new favorite spot in no time.

Be consistent 

Once you’ve chosen a day for going vegan, stick to it! It may take a bit of time at first, but you’ll soon get used to your new diet. If you’re not sure what to consume, just try making one meal vegan at a time. You can also check online recipes to find vegan versions of your favorite dishes – there are many vegan recipes for spaghetti bolognese, and lasagne. You can also make vegan desserts, from chocolate cake to cookies. It is good to have a nice vegan dessert cookbook as a resource.

Be kind to yourself 

Some vegans make the mistake of thinking that if they slip up and eat something non-vegan, it invalidates their whole diet. However, as long as you stay vegan most of the time, a slip up here and there won’t be a problem. Just try your best to stay on track, and remember that you’re doing this for yourself as well as for the world!

Conclusion

Veganism is a positive lifestyle choice. By going vegan for at least a few days each week you’ll be helping to reduce greenhouse gases, suffering in factory farms, environmental pollution, and global hunger! 

Of course, becoming a vegan can be a challenge but it is not as hard as you think and the benefits are many. Find new recipes and restaurants, plan ahead and stay consistent to be successful. And if you slip up, don’t worry – just get back on track!