How to go Vegan or Vegetarian Painlessly

Nowadays more and more people are trying out vegetarian or vegan diets for many different reasons from the welfare and rights of animals to environmental issues and their own health. These days cutting animal products from your diet is incredibly easy and with a bit of thought you can get all the nutrients and minerals you need without needing animal products.

What is a Vegetarian?

Vegetarians choose not to eat meat or other products that come from dead animals, including fish. They normally continue to eat eggs and milk.

What is a Vegan?

Vegans avoid all animal products in their lives because of a belief in the rights, or protection, of animals. They avoid all animal products including leather, eggs and milk. People that avoid animal products in their diets for other reasons (e.g. health or environmental concerns) are considered to be on a 'vegan diet' rather than 'vegan'.

A Step-by-Step Guide to going Veggie or Vegan Painlessly!

The following is a simple step-by-step guide to switching to a Vegan or Vegetarian diet. Before I get started it's worth noting each individual is different and it may be advisable to speak to a good vegan nutritional professional, especially if you encounter any problems with your new diet.

Step one - Nutrition

Getting all the nutrients you need is an important consideration whenever you embark on any new diet and plant based diets are no different. There are some great guides on the Vegan Society's website covering the hot topics of Calcium, Protein and more. I have even made a gudie about vegan protiein because it sure a hot button issue.

If you are at all sceptical that it is possible to have a healthy vegan or vegetarian diet I highly recommend reading the American Dietetic Association position paper on Vegetarian Diets.

Step Two – Cooking and Eating

A lot of your food may stay the same with a few items simply being replaced with a plant based alternative. On the other hand you could go for a whole new diet, it's up to you! It doesn't matter if you have a low budget or don't have time to cook properly there will be an option for you out there.

Have a look on-line for recipes if you enjoy cooking, check out VegCooking and VeganYumYum for starters. If you don't really have time to cook then just think of ways to veganize what you eat, there are many delicious meat alternatives available. There is plenty of vegan 'junk food' about to enjoy!

Step Three – Shopping

Here's the fun bit, getting to know all the new foods you will be eating. It's so easy to find plant based options these days. Get to know the options available in your supermarket of choice there will probably be a lot to tuck into, some of it you may hate and some of it you will love! Try as much as you can so you get to know the good stuff.

The next thing to do is to get down to your local health food store where you will find even more options from vegan chocolate to fish-less fish fingers! Again try as much as you can, because peoples tastes are very different.

It's worth noting however it is not necessarily a good idea to rely to much on meat alternatives as it can become expensive. Fresh food is cheap and healthy too!

Step Four – Going Vegan or Vegetarian

Some people simply go vegan or veggie 'cold turkey' (if you will forget the inappropriate terminology) others cut animal products out slowly knocking out one thing at a time. Only you know what will suit you but make sure it's something you can stick to.

Step Five – Eating Out!

There are many vegan restaurants out there but even if your not going to one any good restaurant these days should cater for you, contact the place in advance to see what options are available or what options could be made vegan or vegetarian by removing or changing specific ingredients.

Step Six – Get some Veggie mates!

It will help you to have other people to get advice from and exchange moral support. Look up your local vegan or vegetarian group and find new veggie friends on any social networking sites you may use and tell them that you are a new vegetarian or vegan, you may be surprised how much support you receive!

Have fun in your journey and feel free to follow me on Twitter and get in contact if I can help you in any way to go vegan or veggie.

Animal Testing

Vegans will normally avoid animal tested cosmetics and household products. Unfortunately there are some companies that use misleading statements on their products. Find out how to get genuine cruelty free items by reading my page A Guide to Cruelty Free Cosmetics and Products.