Spring is a great time to make the transition to veganism.
My first attempt at becoming a vegan a few years ago left me feeling unfulfilled. The lack of food options left me with an attitude as a result of being ‘hangry.’
My intentions of making that big change were good. But I couldn’t help but feel defeated. After going a week of preparing failed vegan meals, I was not satisfied and didn't feel completely nourished.
So, after considering the fact that I jumped into a plant-based mode with no prior research and hadn’t been a vegetarian for too long before making such a drastic lifestyle change, I made the decision to take a step back and spend some time learning how to prepare and enjoy more meatless meals, rather than eating beans and rice with a side of vegetables all day, every day, due to my lack of knowledge.
I took the time to research different foods and meals that were not only meatless but, were delicious and fulfilling, too.
It’s been a little over a year and a half since I became vegan. I’m so appreciative of the journey I took to get to this point, as I believe it’s been beneficial in helping me maintain this lifestyle.
If being a vegan is something you’ve been wanting to try rather for ethical or health reasons, but have no idea how to go about starting the lifestyle, continue reading for tips on how to make the transition.
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Start With One Day A Week To Transition Into Veganism This Spring
Don't feel the need to dive headfirst into plant-based meals. Choose a day out of the week when you make it a point not to eat any meat at all for the entire day.
Try eating oatmeal with added dates and nuts for breakfast.
Then, flavorful vegan tacos with a side of fruit for lunch.
Add in a creamy kale pasta with vegan sausage for dinner.
Of course, you can try this out any day of the week. However, Monday may be a good day to choose.
There’s a popular Instagram hashtag dedicated to going meatless on Monday. It has over half a million posts from individuals sharing countless meatless recipes. It can be a great source to start from.
Additionally, Monday signifies the start of a fresh new week for many. This may motivate you to start and finish your day strong and possibly try other meatless meals throughout the week!
Explore Alternatives To Help You Dive Into Spring Veganism
When you’ve made the transition to eliminating meat from your palate, next tackle removing seafood, then dairy and eggs. A good thing about eating vegan nowadays is that there are many great alternatives to animal-based foods.
There are plant-based burger patties that taste amazing and there’s cheese made from almond milk that’s creamy and delicious.
If you’re a fan of eggs, try this tasty recipe that uses a tofu version of scrambled eggs.
You can also go to any Ethiopian, Mediterranean or Indian restaurants just to name a few, as there are always vegan options on their menus.
Challenge Yourself to Expand Your Palate
Making a big change in your life ain't easy. However, having an open mind and willingness to expand your taste buds to try new things will definitely make the transition easier for you. Remember to go at your own pace and set realistic goals for yourself along the way.