Happy New Year, everyone! I hope the holidays were great for all of you and that 2012 has started out with a bang.
I thought I might post a few tips for those people whose New Year’s resolution included “going vegan” in 2012. These also are good reminders for those of us who’ve been doing it for a while, too!
1) Start gradually. I think there’s a common misconception that if you’re going to start eating vegan, you need to go “all or nothing” overnight. While that might work fine for some people, you might consider taking baby steps to prevent yourself from being overwhelmed with the process. Maybe start out by giving up one big thing (like milk) for a week. See how it goes and then try cutting out cheese. If you’re already vegetarian, those are probably the hardest things, so even if it takes a month, that’s a lot of hard work behind you!
2) Learn to read labels. This is going to have to be a requirement, in my opinion, in order to understand what’s in all of your food. Packaged food will list everything on the label that you need to know and it helps to learn the major ingredients to steer away from. PETA has a good list of ingredients that seems really daunting at first, but look closer and I bet you already know a lot of them (like down, cod liver oil, etc.)
3) Learn to ask at restaurants. Here’s another place where you’ll have to take charge of your food. Don’t be afraid to ask what’s in something or inquire about a special modification to a dish. I’ve been amazed at how knowledgeable people are about veganism in the restaurant business and are usually very willing to accommodate whenever they can. Be sure and tip well if they go through a special effort for you! If you’re getting a strange vibe, I sometimes just tell people I have an allergy (like lactose). Sometimes that can get a stronger response from people so you know they’ll be careful with your order.
4) Make things totally off limits. Any time you try to make a physical change in your life (going to the gym, quitting smoking), it’s mostly a mental game with yourself. One thing I found useful is to just consider certain foods, such as cheese, a total non-option. Mentally put it in the same category with dirt, cardboard and motor oil as something you just don’t put in your body. If you can train yourself to think that way, you will find yourself being less tempted when you see it. I recently had to make the same adjustment with peanut butter since a relative was diagnosed with a severe allergy. I handled it like a toxic substance and that really seemed to help me cut it out (and I love peanut butter!)
5) Replace old favorites with new ones. Some people feel like they’re just giving everything they love up when they go vegan and that can be discouraging. However, focus on all of the things you can eat and you’ll find there are a ton of options out there. Love ice cream? Find your favorite non-dairy substitute (like frozen fruit or soy milk-based) and treat yourself. Miss your mac and cheese? Find a vegan replacement or discover another easy to make pasta dish that can become a staple in your home. Be aware that you’ll never find a vegan replacement that is a perfect copy of the original, but once you accept that, you’ll start to develop all new cravings that are probably a heck of a lot healthier for you anyway!
6) Finally, remember why you’re doing it. In the midst of ingredient lists, new recipes and questions from your friends, it’s easy to lose sight of why you’re embracing the vegan diet in the first place. Regardless of the reason, keep it in the front of your mind and know that you’re taking a stand and making a difference.
Good luck and let me know how it goes! I’ll be posting some new recipes to try very soon!
