How To Become A Vegan 101
Going vegan or at least trying out veganism for yourself doesn’t have to be difficult.
Whether you’re trying out the flexitarian lifestyle (reducing the amount of meat you eat each week) or going completely meat and dairy-free, the idea of making a vegan meal and subscribing to a lifestyle which you have heard a lot about but never tried yourself can be daunting if you’re not sure where to begin, so that’s where these tips can support. Keep these in mind as you embark on this journey and know that thy.self has a 24 hour support service via thy.self’s Instagram account to answer your questions or help soothe your worries with actual problem solving tips.
How To Become a Healthy Vegan 101
Include protein with every meal
“Adults need between 45g and 55g of protein for a balanced diet. Nuts, seeds, pulses, quinoa and tofu are all packed full of protein and can be seamlessly substituted for meat and fish in many recipes.
Include iron-rich foods in your diet
“Getting the balance right with a plant-based diet can be challenging. Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, chickpeas, lentils and kidney beans are all fantastic sources of iron and essential for a balanced nutrition-packed diet, so make them a top priority on your shopping list.”
Don’t forget to include calcium and vitamin D!
“Dairy products, such as cheese and milk are rich in essential nutrients, but this doesn’t mean you can’t substitute them with a plant-based alternative. If you’ve switched to a vegan-diet, tofu, sesame seeds, kale, broccoli and plant-based milk alternatives are all great additions to your vegan menu.
Find an Omega-3 substitution
“Fish and other seafood contain omega-3, which is crucial for the immune system. Try adding vegan-friendly sources such as walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds or flax seeds to your diet instead!”
Include B12 in your meat-free diet
“B12 is naturally found in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy. Try adding marmite, yeast flakes, fortified cereals or other alternative milk products to your daily meal plan.”