Going vegan can be as simple or as difficult as we choose it to be!
- Educate yourself: Watch documentaries, read books, learn why you're making the transition and how to do it healthfully and joyfully. Scroll to find lots of resources to browse.
- Cut out animal products: You can do this gradually if that's what will help you stick with it, or all at once. Stop eating meat (which includes poultry and seafood), dairy (milk, cheese, butter, whey), eggs, and honey. Remember: veganism is not about giving anything up, it's about no longer taking that which is not yours to begin with. By only eating plants, we stop depriving ourselves of compassion and health. Don't focus on what you're giving up, focus on what you're gaining.
- Learn what kinds of foods you can eat! Vegans can eat all fruits, vegetables, sea vegetables, legumes, fungi, grains, starches, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices, and the endless combination of smoothies, milks, spreads, juices, dips, and sauces those make! You can eat pizza, burritos, curry, salad, potato fries, stews, soups, pasta, and rice pilafs. Anything you've enjoyed as a non-vegan can be made vegan with just a few substitutions. Get creative in the kitchen!
- Find alternatives to items tested on animals. There are many lists online of companies that do and do not test so you know which ones to avoid, but if you're ever confused, don't fret. If a company doesn't test they're likely to say so on their packaging and contain the leaping bunny symbol. It's true that all over-the-counter medicines are tested on animals but please don't go off your medication because of this. In a society that turns animals into commodities to be used and exploited, it's impossible to be a 100% perfect vegan. Simply do the best you can whenever you can. Straying from life-saving medication will not change the system, but advocating for the end of animal testing will.
- Get excited! This is a new chapter in your life. You're doing so much for the animals, for your health, and for the planet!
Here are some resources to browse through.
What is a vegan? What do they eat/avoid?
The Vegan Society defines veganism as “a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.
The Vegetarian Resource Group’s definition of what vegetarians and vegans eat is as follows: Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or poultry. Vegans, in addition to being vegetarian, do not use other animal products and by-products such as eggs, dairy products, honey, leather, fur, silk, wool, cosmetics, and soaps derived from animal products.
Is a vegan diet healthy?
“Vegetarian diets can meet all the recommendations for nutrients. The key is to consume a variety of foods and the right amount of foods to meet your calorie needs.” -USDA
Is a vegan diet expensive?
What do I do when I go out to eat?
Should I transition slowly or all at once?
Do whatever feels right for you. If cutting everything out at once is too difficult, try going vegetarian first and cutting out an animal product a month until you're vegan!
What products are tested on animals?
Resources
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