5 Veganuary Tips and Tricks
To anyone reading this I wish you a Happy New Year, and hope you are well-rested for the year ahead. We are not only entering a new year, but we are also entering a new decade that for many may lead to a more veggie lifestyle. As it is January, I know it is often a time of change and for many will be embarking on the Veganuary journey or I guess 'challenge' you could call it. Before you read this post, don't worry it's not a preachy 'BE VEGAN OR GO HOME' article, it's just a post to help anyone thinking about or undergoing a vegan lifestyle who may need some help! As I have been vegan for two years and two months, here are the top tricks I have learnt that have enabled me to keep up this lifestyle so far.
1.) Educate Yourself:
This goes without saying, but the fact that you have given Veganuary a go shows you are obviously curious to find out more about veganism. A lot of common myths are that veganism is expensive, unattainable, boring and nutritionally unsatisfactory. The reality is it can only be that way if you do not educate yourself. Although now I would argue veganism is a lot more accessible, as more and more supermarkets and restaurants offer vegan alternatives, one thing you have to be prepared for is time. Time to search through packet labels and also to make certain dishes- especially if you're doing a cashew-cheese based dish! As long as you are prepared to do that it will make Veganuary easier.
There are loads of chef features on programmes who discuss and share vegan recipes, and even topical debates on shows such as This Morning or now even Youtube can help to inform you about veganism. It is also worth looking at what your usual routine and shopping places have to offer as well. For example, if you love getting your usual whey protein on let's say MyProtein, opt for the vegan option instead and give that a go! Subscribing to vegan newsletters or magazines Vegan Food and Living and watching documentaries such as: The Gamechangers, What the Health and Veganville can all inform you as to why your contribution is helping! I personally didn't feel the need or frankly want to watch videos of slaughterhouses to make me change my ethics; if you are someone who is interested in discovering more about this, Cowspiracy is an easy recommendation. I also think hearing other people's success stories is not only interesting but if proof that veganism works for many people, and can help if you are starting to lack motivation.
There are loads of chef features on programmes who discuss and share vegan recipes, and even topical debates on shows such as This Morning or now even Youtube can help to inform you about veganism. It is also worth looking at what your usual routine and shopping places have to offer as well. For example, if you love getting your usual whey protein on let's say MyProtein, opt for the vegan option instead and give that a go! Subscribing to vegan newsletters or magazines Vegan Food and Living and watching documentaries such as: The Gamechangers, What the Health and Veganville can all inform you as to why your contribution is helping! I personally didn't feel the need or frankly want to watch videos of slaughterhouses to make me change my ethics; if you are someone who is interested in discovering more about this, Cowspiracy is an easy recommendation. I also think hearing other people's success stories is not only interesting but if proof that veganism works for many people, and can help if you are starting to lack motivation.
2.) Working out where to shop down the supermarket aisles:
When you first go vegan or plant based it can feel like a laborious chore searching packets and recipes to find something that doesn't have lactose or eggs in it. The whole lactose debate I could actually write a separate blog post on because it seems to be in so many unnecessary products. Yet the good news is this can be easily avoided now in many supermarkets! A lot of products say on the front if they're vegan friendly, or have a special V symbol on them (just make sure not to get confused with vegetarian) that make food shopping a LOT easier. Also, a lot of supermarkets are now offering their own branded vegan products- M&S have Plant Kitchen, Sainsbury's have Love Your Veg and some supermarkets have a designated area to merely vegan products. One of the most common feature of a lot of supermarkets to search for is the Free-From aisle. Although many of these products are gluten-free (which you shouldn't assume is vegan as some still contain egg products), there are far more vegan options to be found here. I know some supermarkets are starting to incorporate vegan options into all of the aisles to try and normalise this lifestyle choice, but as long as you look out for that V symbol you should be good to go.
When you first go vegan or plant based it can feel like a laborious chore searching packets and recipes to find something that doesn't have lactose or eggs in it. The whole lactose debate I could actually write a separate blog post on because it seems to be in so many unnecessary products. Yet the good news is this can be easily avoided now in many supermarkets! A lot of products say on the front if they're vegan friendly, or have a special V symbol on them (just make sure not to get confused with vegetarian) that make food shopping a LOT easier. Also, a lot of supermarkets are now offering their own branded vegan products- M&S have Plant Kitchen, Sainsbury's have Love Your Veg and some supermarkets have a designated area to merely vegan products. One of the most common feature of a lot of supermarkets to search for is the Free-From aisle. Although many of these products are gluten-free (which you shouldn't assume is vegan as some still contain egg products), there are far more vegan options to be found here. I know some supermarkets are starting to incorporate vegan options into all of the aisles to try and normalise this lifestyle choice, but as long as you look out for that V symbol you should be good to go.
3.) Social Media:
Social Media, is it a blessing or a curse? Well, that is a completely different topic for a blog post, but can be useful for Veganuary. My sister and I run an instagram account: @veganlivinguk_ that is dedicated to reviewing and discovering vegan products and recipes, as well as offering discounts to certain products! If you use the #VEGANLIVINGUK10 on any Creative Nature products you can get a cheeky 10% off. Shameless plug aside, there are so many videos with those 30 second dinner ideas, accounts reviewing products and hashtags that can get you involved with the community. It is also a great way to find out new places and to look up restaurants so you can see a glimpse of what they have to offer. It can also educate you further; one account we followed was about vegan products that were 'accidentally' vegan, and changed our lives and a lot of other people's opinions on veganism too! Following members of the vegan community is a great way to ask and find out more, and could possibly lead you to creating your own content from Veganuary!
4.) Eating Out:
Going out for dinner used to be the bane of being a vegan, as the only options would be a salad or tomato pasta. Now there's nothing wrong with either of those things, but when you go out for a dinner sometimes you want something a bit more exotic. However, there is a lot less of this now as so many restaurants offer vegan options on the menu, or even an alternate vegan menu. When reading a menu all you need to look for is the vegan key (ve) or plant-based (pb) to ensure you make the right choice. Informing the place when you book is also a great way to inform them of your dietary requirements, and if you're still not sure sometimes emailing them beforehand is a great way to ensure you get a vegan-friendly meal. Often when my sister and I have done this they have ended up making a choice that isn't on the menu which is an extra bonus! If you're newly vegan and unsure you can never go wrong with a chain restaurant! A lot of their websites now have dietary information on a spreadsheet which is also another great way to check if you're uncertain. As well as chains, a lot of independent restaurants and even fast-food places such as KFC and Subway all offer their own vegan alternatives. Although I am not particularly sure I would like to provide to some places that make their profit on slaughtering animals, I do think it is a good idea that more places are introducing vegan alternatives. If veganism is continually make more accessible and put into the spotlight, this is what veganism needs to thrive. My view is as long as you check you should be safe when eating out.
5.) Be kind:
Finally, be kind. It is so easy once you're committed to a 'challenge' or a 'goal', that if you make a slip up then you have failed. Veganism or plant-based living, is a lifestyle and not merely a diet choice. One of the reasons I love being vegan is because I see it as a journey; the more years I follow it, the more informed I have become. This leaves me feeling rewarded in the sense that I have grown compared to the year before. Therefore, that being said, you don't have to have all the answers right away. My sister and I who are fully committed to the plant-based lifestyle have had a couple of times where we've accidentally consumed something with milk in it, or bought something and then realised it was made of leather- it doesn't matter. As long as you are consciously trying, the odd slip up is okay! It is very easy for vegans to get bad press because a lot of the ones who appear on daytime talk shows can seem very opinionated and 'preachy', when really it's just because they're very passionate about their ethics and can't understand how anyone could think differently. This can lead to a bad stigma around the community, when in reality a lot of us are just proud when someone decides to have one meat-free meal or decides to not buy as much leather! If you have a couple of hiccups, nothing bad is going to happen, just accept it and keep going. The whole point is to try a different lifestyle for a month so really it is a big learning curve to see whether it is something you could commit to or not.
Finally, be kind. It is so easy once you're committed to a 'challenge' or a 'goal', that if you make a slip up then you have failed. Veganism or plant-based living, is a lifestyle and not merely a diet choice. One of the reasons I love being vegan is because I see it as a journey; the more years I follow it, the more informed I have become. This leaves me feeling rewarded in the sense that I have grown compared to the year before. Therefore, that being said, you don't have to have all the answers right away. My sister and I who are fully committed to the plant-based lifestyle have had a couple of times where we've accidentally consumed something with milk in it, or bought something and then realised it was made of leather- it doesn't matter. As long as you are consciously trying, the odd slip up is okay! It is very easy for vegans to get bad press because a lot of the ones who appear on daytime talk shows can seem very opinionated and 'preachy', when really it's just because they're very passionate about their ethics and can't understand how anyone could think differently. This can lead to a bad stigma around the community, when in reality a lot of us are just proud when someone decides to have one meat-free meal or decides to not buy as much leather! If you have a couple of hiccups, nothing bad is going to happen, just accept it and keep going. The whole point is to try a different lifestyle for a month so really it is a big learning curve to see whether it is something you could commit to or not.
I hope this helps a bit for those who are currently trying veganism; you're nearly half-way there already! I'll leave the name to my sister and I's account below, but I hope you are finding your vegan journey a positive one.
Peace and love always,
Odette x
Vegan instagram account: @veganlivinguk_
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