Helpful Tips to Stick to a Vegan Lifestyle
Attempting to eat vegan is not the easiest thing when you are first starting out, even when you know it is something that is good for you and the planet. Even if you have been eating a plant-based diet for a while, healthily doing this can be a struggle.
While you can likely stick to Tofurky pepperoni and Daiya cheese on your bagel pizzas, this is not a cheap or healthy option. If you want to follow a healthy vegan diet, your kitchen will play an important role. Unfortunately, if you are like most people, you have many other responsibilities, which means you need to take a few steps to make living a vegan lifestyle more accessible. For some, this may include adding greens powder to their breakfast routine, and for others, this could mean planning ahead. Keep reading for some helpful tips to ensure you make the most of your vegan lifestyle.
If you live in an area where vegan options are not readily available while you are out of the house, you may find it challenging to stick to your new lifestyle. As a result, it is up to you to make sure you have the foods you want to eat ready before you get hungry.
Prepare your foods in advance and take your lunch to work. If you do plan on eating out, be sure to look at the online menu or even call the restaurant to ask them what vegan options are available. The most important thing for you to do is to eat something before you get too hungry to make the right food choices.
If you do reach the point where you are too hungry to cook something, if you have anticipated this problem, you can have a banana, sit down, and get ready to take on the kitchen to prepare something healthy.
Plan Ahead
Learn What Your Body Is Really Craving
Your cravings are individual to you. However, there are a few general principles that apply to everyone. For example, if you are dehydrated, you will likely crave sugar. For some, if you have not been eating plenty of hot food, you may crave cheese. This does not always mean that you really want cheese. Instead, you want something with enough protein and fat to make up for several skipped meals. One of the best ways to determine what you really want is by drinking a glass of water and then reassessing what you want.
When you get plenty of water and sleep, it will help your body adjust to changes, control your cravings, and help you decipher between real hunger and the type that is caused by dehydration or fatigue. With that in mind, a physical addiction to meat, processed foods, and dairy products are real, and there is a specific amount of just “toughing it out” until you have fully adjusted to your new, healthier diet.
Make sure you have set up your pantry and kitchen correctly to have everything you need and to make sure it is easy to access. This is going to make cooking easy and enjoyable. Many of the basics, such as keeping your spoons, pot holders, and spices nearby, are relevant for any style of cooking.
However, when you move to a plant-based diet, you must cook for yourself more often. This means that you will be more likely to be successful if you make cooking something enjoyable and easy. For off-days, when you do not want to cook, make sure you can throw something in the crockpot or that you have leftovers.
To help you avoid reaching for cereal or a bagel, be sure to have canned vegetables and beans you can eat raw, along with nuts and fresh fruit. This will ensure that even if you are limited on time or have no energy to cook, you still have healthy options. While frozen and canned should not be your first choice, they are better options than high-glycemic, processed foods that will not help you stay full.
Make Sure Your Kitchen is User-Friendly
Improve Flavor with Fat
Just because you love plants, it does not mean you are a rabbit. For the unprocessed and raw approach to food, avoid oils and go for nuts and avocados. You can also put nut butter into your salad dressings and curries.
Eating vegan is something that is good for your body and for the planet. However, when you first make a change and follow this eating lifestyle, it can be challenging. Use the tips and information above to help give you the best chance of success and make it easier to stick to your new eating regimen. In the long run, you will feel better and healthier. Being informed and knowing what to do will help ensure you achieve the desired results.
