So, we’ve covered a million and ten topics on HOW to be vegan, including the offering of our super clutch step by step e-book, BUT what about, what NOT to do when going vegan?
What are the no no’s? Flashing red lights? Lets jump in FEMPIRE and learn exactly what not to do to ensure you all have a smooth transition!
Assuming All “Vegan” Labeled Foods Are Healthy
Heres to #1. We cover this in much more detail in our e-book, transition foods are wonderful and easy to ADD to a vegan diet or to help us transition. However, these are items that are found in boxes and are still prepackaged. Meaning, we still have to be the label FBI and know what to look out for. Easiest thing to remember is to treat these foods like you would “take out.”
Thats always been the rule of thumb in our home. During the week, I work full time as a hairstylist so I usually try to plan ahead with whole plant-based food options. We need sustainable energy to keep us going throughout our day. Saturdays are my Fridays and by the end of the work week I’m as good as a piece of burnt toast, so usually transition foods (or takeout) are a great option.
Whether it’s Amy’s roasted veggie pizza, or a Beyond Meat or Impossible burger, or Gardiens crispy chicken tenders and tater tots, this is usually what I do. Or we’ll choose this night to visit a favorite vegan restaurant.
The main memo here guys, check the labels, and just like junk food or anything else that’s pre-packaged, don’t abuse it.
Not Taking a Vitamin B12 Supplement
Veganism is a diet that will give you JUST about every single vitamin and nutrient that our bodies could ever possibly need or want. EXCEPT, b12.
B12 is known for keeping energy levels high and our minds nice and clear. Someone experiencing fatigue and foggy brain may have a lack of B12. This is very common with new vegans, and sometimes with vegetarians. Theres simply too much to do and to think about when transitioning, most of us don’t account for the lack of this vitamin and then we attribute the crappy symptoms to “this stupid diet not working.” Before you reach that consensus add a B12 supplement- and make sure its vegan!
Check out our favorite! We love Mary Ruth’s brand! Especially because they’re gummies! Someone tell me I’m not the only 33 year old who struggles HARDCORE taking pills!
B12 is found in animal protein, fish, and dairy products. Therefore SOME vegetarians who consume dairy will not need the supplement while all vegans will. We love Mary Ruth’s vegan B12 gummies, they also have a great boost of Vitamin D as well. Amazon to the rescue yet again.
No one needs a foggy brain when going through a huge life transformation!
Throwing Shade At a Non Vegan Diet
Listen, we’re not here to lose all of our friends and piss off our family. Right? We’re just simply trying to create a healthier lifestyle for ourselves.
Sometimes friends and family may forget that you’re transitioning and make cook a non vegan meal, its OKAY. Don’t get preachy and shun their food, or get attitudey and feel as though they didn’t account for you. To be blunt- thats not their job.
Take a peak at our “How to Deal With Family and Friends As A Vegan” article and we’ll dive in much more detail with this!
Forgetting to Drink Water Throughout The Day
This is crucial you guys. Many of us following the Standard American Diet with meat and cheese, aren’t getting as much fiber as we are with a vegan diet. Fiber is WONDERFUL and its necessary for proper digestion.
Help your body’s digestion by upping your water intake. 8 glasses of water is the goal we like to shoot for. Do we usually hit it every day? No. We’re human too, but we are conscious of it and we normally do hit that goal most days!
Making sure the body is hydrated will ward off constipation, bloating, and gas! Vegans get a weird enough rep’ as it is guys, no one wants to be the smelly bloated vegan. 😉
Tip- Find a water bottle you LOVE. No really, it makes you actually want to drink water all day!
Trying to Replace Every Non Vegan Food- AKA Living on Transition Foods
HUGE. I’m going to use myself here for the example. When I was first transitioning I could think of 800 things I COULDNT possibly give up. *eyeroll*
I had a fear of trying anything new, and constantly ate the same boring things. Understand that once your body moves away from meat and dairy you’ll almost forget what it truly tastes like. Yes I’m serious. You WILL live without cheese.
Your tastebuds will change.
I PROMISE you, they will change. You’ll end up discovering brand new foods that become your favorites. And you know what else? This is 2019 guys, if you’re a die hard mac and cheese fan like I am, theres a replacement. 9 times out of 10 whatever your ULTIMATE favorite non vegan food is, there will be a replacement or something that will satisfy the craving.
The problem comes in when people try to just substitute everything one for one. Thats never a good way to be, its setting yourself up for failure. Usually this behavior and this mindset will lead us to eating transition foods 7 days a week.
Be OPEN to new changes, to new foods, and tastes. You’ll be shocked after a year or two of being vegan what your answer to, “whats your favorite food?” will be!
Not Learning How to Meal Plan
As a vegan you’re quickly going to realize you’re normally low man on the totem pole as far as the “oh I’ll just grab something for dinner while I’m out.” That being said, this is 2019. There ARE options for you on the go but they can be extremely limited.
Be prepared. If you have a lunch or dinner break at work, PLAN for that. Choose one day per week to cook your meals for that break at work. If you’re home- get in that kitchen and cook yourself a wonderfully nutritious vegan meal!
If you have plans with friends or family to visit a restaurant – plan that too! Check out the menu days in advance! Make sure you don’t have to cook something for yourself first, and order a garden salad when you’re there. (Thats always the worst case scenario and very rarely happens) But there’s nothing worse than showing up HANGRY only to find out the only option for you is a salad.
If you’re a visual person, you should look into getting a meal planner. Just like a regular planner for your life – but just for meals! Makes it so much easier to see it in writing, for us anyway! This is the one we have – includes a tear off grocery list and the whole thing just sticks to the fridge! (magnet not actually sticky)
Not Properly Preparing Your Kitchen For a Vegan Lifestyle
No, this doesn’t mean chuck all of your tools and gadgets in the trash. Kitchen tools can be totally multi-purposed! Appliances and gadgets are a weakness for me. I love them. We love each other actually. Its a mutual love.
Rather, focus on the cabinets and the refrigerator. Where the lingering non vegan foods live on. THOSE you can toss. Once you make the decision, the hardest thing in the world is opening up that refrigerator and seeing an old non vegan favorite snack or meal staring you in the face. If you cheat – don’t beat yourself up. Its a process and it takes a long long time. Its okay.
But get ahead of yourself before that happens. Help yourself by getting rid of any non vegan snacks or meals in the house and stock up with new vegan snacks and ingredients!
We suggest investing in a whole lotta Pyrex because meal planning comes in CLUTCH when you’re first starting. It sets you up for success!
We hope these tips and tricks helped you guys and corrected any non vegan behavior. Take the B12, stay hydrated, meal plan, chat with friends and fam about your lifestyle change and toss out any temptations in the house! We’re good to go.
If you’re a new vegan and are feeling lost and overwhelmed we urge you to check out our How To Be A Vegan Step by Step Guide Ebook, as a life savor and new best friend!
