The Vegan diet was in the past reserved just for hippies, but nowadays, it got really popular and widespread. Famous people like Bill Clinton, Jay-Z, and Beyonce are propagating this kind of diet as most healthy, but also as most humane. However, before you get rid of all foods of animal origin, it is necessary that you get properly informed.
1. Family And Friends Are Going To Ask You Questions
People are very sensitive when it comes to diet and it’s hard for them to accept the fact that they need to change habits they lived by for years and decades. Try to explain to them that you are doing this for yourself and that you don’t want to make them follow your steps. If they try to tell you that it’s not healthy, simply tell them that you want to do this.
2. You’ll Need Vitamin B12
This vitamin comes only from ingredients of the animal origin and that’s why you’ll need food additionally enriched with vitamin B12. It keeps nerves and blood cells healthy and it helps to create DNA. Lack of this vitamin can result in fatigue, weakness, constipation, weight loss and depression. Ask your doctor if you need it and how to take it.
3. You Might Need Iron
Iron comes in two shapes, heme iron, and non-heme iron. Heme iron absorbs easily and it’s found only in food that comes from animals. Vegan food has a lot of non-heme iron which absorbs hard, and that’s why some people need to take additional supplements. Good source of iron for vegans are pulses, sunflower, and leafy vegetables. Food rich in vitamin C helps you absorb iron.
4. You’ll Need New Source Of Protein
Proteins are essential for human diet and each meal should contain them. They’re broken down into amino acids which stimulate cell growth. Because you don’t eat meat, you need a new source of protein. It is recommended that you eat 0.8g of protein on each kilogram of your body mass. Best choice for vegans is soy, beans, and quinoa.
5. Don’t Replace Food That Comes From Animal With Unhealthy Food
Many people when feasting gain weight because they eat lots of bread and pasta. If you decided to become vegan, you’re probably doing it to be healthy. Think about things you eat, not everything made from vegetables is healthy like fries, potato chips, etc.
6. Don’t Eat Too Much Soy
Even though it’s promoted as a healthy ingredient, experts are arguing about it. Many say it’s not healthy at all while others say it is great as long as you consume it moderately. Try to avoid soy products which mimic meat because they are full of preservatives. Soy milk and tofu are great sources of protein.
7. You Don’t Have To Get Rid Of Everything At Once
Don’t expect to wake up as a vegan. It is a hard transition and it demands lots of time and effort. For starters, implement as many vegetable products as possible and at the same time get rid of some things that come from animals, especially ones that are not organic. Gradual changes will help you make a smooth transition.
8. You’ll Be Happier
Besides animals, you’ll also be happier when you switch to vegan diet. The reason is very simple, food that comes from vegetables contain less arachidonic acid which can affect the mood.
9. Get Ready To Read List Of Ingredients
If you want to become vegan, get used to reading the list of ingredients before you buy something. Just because something seems like vegan food, it doesn’t mean it is.
10. It Doesn’t Have To Be More Expensive
Meat is the most expensive ingredient, but people think that vegan food is expensive because you have to buy lots of different ingredients. When you get rid of meat, eggs, and cheese, you’ll see that you have enough money to buy everything.
11. You’ll Be Able To Eat At The Restaurants
Vegan diet got very popular, so you’ll probably be able to find some vegan meals on the menu. However, even when something sounds like vegan food, it doesn’t mean that it is, and always tell a waiter that you are vegan.
12. Vegetables Have Enough Calcium
One of biggest arguments against vegan diet is that it lacks calcium because it excludes dairy products. However, the truth is that kale, almonds, soy, figs and sesame are full of calcium. Soy and green leafy vegetables also contain a lot of vitamin D which helps you absorb calcium.