So, you’re going vegan? Welcome aboard! You’re doing something great for your health, the environment, and animal welfare, so the first thing we have to say is congratulations and thank you.

Now all you have to do is embrace that vegan lifestyle, which can be challenging at times, especially as a newbie. To help you get into the plant-based swing of things, here are five simple strategies that will make the vegan lifestyle easier for you:

1. Start with Simple Switches

It is so important to ease in slowly with simple switches from dairy and meat to vegan alternatives. Sure, a long-term wholefood plant-based diet is healthier, but right now, a diet similar to the one you’re used to will be the easiest to maintain. Easy switches to make include:

Milk – Switch normal or supplemented milk for soy, oat, coconut, almond, cashew, hazelnut, or pea milk that is ideally fortified. You may want to use different kinds of milk for different purposes. Soy is a great consistency for cereal, whereas oat is fantastic in coffee.

Meat – Switch dense meats like steak for seitan, and try out vegan deli meat slices for sandwiches. Looking for an all-out meaty fix? Try a thick vegan burger. Vegan meat is incredibly realistic these days.

Cheese – Switch dairy cheese for vegan versions, and try them in both hot and cold meals to get a feel for their taste and texture. It’s important not to expect hot vegan cheese to be as stringy or melty as dairy cheese because the consistency development has a way to go yet.

2. Be Kind to Yourself

The Vegan Society states that:

“Veganism is a philosophy and 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.”

Maybe you can’t go fully vegan because of your family, your finances, or a lack of time. Still, you’re doing your best, and that is good enough. By being kind to yourself in this way, your vegan journey will be a lot less bumpy.

3. Truly Invest in Your ‘Why’

Your ‘why’ when it comes to going vegan is what will help you through the tough times. Watch the documentaries, read the books, watch the YouTube videos – dig deep and invest in your drive. This will help you maintain your vegan game and pull you through the times when you just want to give in.

4. Always Be Prepared

Being prepared makes for an easier vegan life. Most long-term vegans have safe snacks in their bags in case of hangry emergencies. We know the best restaurants with both vegan and meat-eater options in every neighbourhood. We also have at least one go-to recipe anybody can make for us at a dinner party. If we need information last-minute, there are amazing vegan apps to help.

5. Stay Healthy

If there’s one thing that will floor your efforts, it’s being an unhealthy vegan. Statistics show that a huge amount of Americans of all diet types are deficient in the vitamins they need, so there’s nothing to say a vegan diet causes particular problems. However, it is up to you to ensure your diet is balanced and rich in nutrients so you don’t end up getting sick as a result of your new compassionate life choice.

Get Those Good Vegan Vibes in 2021

Spread that hap-pea-ness and don’t make being vegan a big missed-steak. By using our tips above and doing a lot of delicious foodie experimentation, you can enjoy the perfect plant-based year.

Image Credits: Jon Tyson