Wednesday, October 13, 2021

------------Converting To A Vegan Lifestyle

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post. Please welcome today's contributor.

Converting to a vegan lifestyle can be difficult, but it's worth it. There are many benefits of becoming vegan such as reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. It can even help you feel more energetic! However, if you're considering converting to a vegan lifestyle, there are some things that you should know before taking the plunge.

A Vegan Lifestyle

A vegan lifestyle is usually defined as someone who does not eat meat, dairy products, or eggs. A person may choose to follow a vegan diet for many reasons, such as health benefits, ethical concerns about animal welfare, and the environmental impact of raising animals for food. Becoming a vegan can seem like an overwhelming process, but your body will adapt to your new lifestyle changes in 2 - 6 weeks after you get started. When making this change, be sure to take it slow and pace yourself during this transition.

Via Pexels

Food Substitutes

Egg Substitute

Tofu is an excellent addition to any vegan pantry. It can be used in many different dishes, but it is often best known for its ability to act as a perfect substitute when scrambled up with veggies and spices, just like eggs. Tofu also tastes delicious by itself if marinated correctly before cooking, so this alone could work as your dish depending on what type of flavor profile you are going for.

Dairy Substitute

Heavy cream is used to give dishes a creamy texture without adding too much fat. Unfortunately, it's hard for vegans to find substitutes that are as good as the real thing. The best option for a vegan heavy cream substitute is cashews! It may seem impossible, but cashews are exceptional in that they can be used to make many different diary alternatives.

Meat Substitute

Jackfruit is a fruit native to India and has been used for generations as an alternative to meat. It can replace meat in dishes like pulled pork sandwiches, shredded chicken tacos, or even BBQ ribs. Jackfruit is one of the best tasting options, especially when you marinade it overnight. It sure is one of the healthiest options out there!

Getting In Your Vitamins

When converting to a vegan lifestyle, it is crucial that you are aware of the dietary changes that have taken place. The most common change for vegans is moving away from animal proteins and dairy products to plant-based protein. This can be challenging if your diet consists mainly of meats, dairy, or eggs since these foods were at the center of every meal before making this transition. In addition, it is vital that you make sure your body is getting enough of each vitamin and mineral so that it can continue to work well. This includes making sure vegans aren't missing out on Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B-12, and other essentials!

In conclusion, converting to a vegan lifestyle is an excellent option for the whole family; just be sure to read up on all the necessary information before doing so. Research is key for ensuring that you stay healthy and out of harm's way!

13 comments:

  1. We don't eat red meat or milk, so we substitute several things that are vegan.

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  2. There are so many other things you can eat that is far healthier than meat and dairy. We eat less and less meat. We're happy about that.

    Have a fabulous day, my friend. ♥

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  3. I'm allergic to egg, hate the taste of red meat and fish, and I almost drink no milk. What did I win?

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  4. We're seriously considering it especially that there is a lot of meat substitute now...

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  5. This is really interesting. A friend of mine recently started eating vegeterian and she wants to make sure she gets all her vitamins! Will send her this!

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  6. I enjoy meat myself, but I think people have to do what they believe works best for them. I have a very close friend who is vegan and the lifestyle works for her.

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  7. I love cashews, but didn't know it could be used to substitute dairy

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  8. This is such an interseting post! My daughter is vegan and I sent her this and she loved it!

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  9. Switching to vegetarian was super hard for me, but after a while I didn't miss meat. With that said, I could never get into the whole vegan thing. Those that can, kudos to them! I really admire their commitment. Cheese and honey are two things that I wouldn't be able to give up and those are no no's for the vegan lifestyle.

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  10. I love vegan food even though I am not vegan myself. I started opting for vegan only dishes for when we have guests. that way I don't have to think of what one or the other person eats, everybody can eat anything (I also avoid common allergens such as nuts in the food). I'm thinking to go fully vegan but I just can't say to my traditional cousine

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  11. It's honestly a lot easier than a lot of people think!

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  12. I heard a lot about this vegan lifestyle. Its good to know about it in detail.

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  13. Hi Rosey - I can believe it's easier than one thinks to change to vegetarian and then vegan; As I've done decades of eating a very varied diet I still go in that route ... but interesting post to read, thank you - Hilary

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