Several years ago in 2007, I eliminated meat from my diet and became a vegetarian. The sudden lifestyle change was a direct result of reading Fast Food Nation. The book was the catalyst for sure, but I think food eliminations was just a matter of time for me. I continued on the vegetarian path for many years and finally transitioned around five years ago to a vegan. I am a vegan for three reasons, for the animals, environment, and my health. My goal is to walk this earth with a very light carbon footprint, striving everyday to be better, do better.
Since removing all dairy as well as meat and sea food from my diet, I feel better overall in my body, in my soul. I have noticed physical improvements in my skin, gut health, and an increase in energy. If I had to rewind time, I would do things a bit different however and over the course of 10 plus years, I have gained some insight that might be worth sharing to make your journey a bit easier.
My initial regret is I should have consulted a nutritionist or dietician with a specialty in plant based diets. The reason I offer that tip is because eliminating food groups entirely can be dangerous for the body, certainly problematic if you do not add replacements. Ultimately, whether you agree or not, I am of the opinion that your body needs balance to function properly. Many vegans can attest to the seething, gnashing of the teeth reaction when a carnivore questions our protein intake. I’m serious, if I was a cartoon, many a times smoke would come pouring through my ears as a result of the mere implication that somehow I was protein deficient. With that said, it is easy to become an unhealthy vegan feasting on processed foods, quick snacks, and easy options. Even though there are plenty of foods that contain all the nutrients needed including protein, you must actually consume them. Fruits, veggies, seeds, and grains among plenty others contain protein, but if you shy away you will be deficient. Iron and other vitamins such as B12 can be challenging on a meat free diet, but are definitely a necessity. This is where a nutrition professional can make all the difference.
If you are living in the greater Philadelphia area, I recommend scheduling an consultation with Jennifer Weis, a registered dietician who offers nutrition counseling and tips customized to fit your lifestyle. Stay tuned for a fabulous feature with helpful tips from Jen on the upcoming spring issue of Deliberately Considerate. As you begin your vegan journey, it is important to start on the right foot to take advantage of the benefits of the new diet.
Social media has made it very convenient to explore recipes for meal ideas. During my transition to a vegan, I found that I missed spices, seasonings, and sauces that I typically used for meat recipes. BBQ sauce in particular was difficult, until I realized that I just needed new plant based recipes to incorporate my favorite sauce into a dish. Beyond Meat offers delicious sausage options in hot and original that are the perfect conduit for a little BBQ sauce. Instagram is a helpful platform to find chefs and cooks who specialize in plant based creations, which is an excellent way to try out new foods and get a sense of what kinds of dishes you prefer.
Let’s revisit the reasons why I became a vegan. This tip pertains to two out of three; animals and the environment. Prior to transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, I wore leather. I actually wore all animal byproducts including wool, silk, and down. I was under the misconception that leather equated to higher quality, that puffy coats filled with feathers were warmer, shearling just offered the sheep a much needed haircut. All ignorant assumptions of which I have educated myself throughout the years. But this only tackles one out of two; for animals. This is the cruelty aspect of which I want no part. However, the sustainable, eco-friendly component must be considered as well. Sustainable animal byproducts are used in many eco friendly fashion brands that ensure the proper measures are taken to eliminate suffering whether it is repurposed material or collected humanly. Personally, I look for cruelty free and environmentally conscientious brands. Those that create products with recycled fabrics or use far less water and chemicals on alternative leather materials. Beyond Skin, a vegan luxury shoe brand, and another upcoming feature in Deliberately Considerate, uses cotton-backed Polyurethane, a far less harmful process than using leather or PVC materials.
My humble suggestion when transitioning to a vegan lifestyle is to ignore your instinct to throw away all non vegan products whether they are beauty or fashion. Here’s my thought, throwing them away only creates more waste somewhere in a landfill, contributing to the release of even more carbon dioxide emissions. You could donate to charities if you so desired, but sometimes the jewelry, clothing, accessories are sentimental and are worth saving. Love the non vegan pieces and cherish them. In the future avoid making any purchases that are not aligned with your beliefs. Buy less, save more, and donate any items you do not need.
Before I finish, I want to leave you with some vegan food brands that you might want to try if you are not already. Food scientists are making huge strides when it comes to alternatives that taste similar to non vegan foods, but there is still room for improvement. For instance, a person who suffers from allergies including nuts, I am unable to have cashew cheese and am not the biggest fan of coconut based cheese alternatives. Below are a list of brands that seem to be spot on, sometimes better tasting than the original!
Bee Free Honee, Sweet Freedom Bakery, Amanda’s Own Cookie Dough, Earth Balance Mindful Mayo, Good Karma Flax Milk with Protein, and So Delicious Coffee Creamer.
