How To Switch Over To (And Stay On) A Vegan Diet
Just a couple of years ago, switching to a vegan diet from an omnivorous one might have seemed impossible or at least extremely difficult. In fact, I've known several of my friends who had dabbled with the idea and tried joining me on the light side.
Unfortunately, the longest one lasted just over two months, and one only lasted a few days! Luckily, since I started Rawk Star Café, our vegan, gluten-free plant-based superfood restaurant in the Tampa Bay area, one of my friends has been able to move over to a vegan diet 100%.
Some others have started having "vegan days" during the week, where they abstain from all meat-based items for that day. And I'm pretty sure some of them may make the jump permanently. I obviously credit our delicious and nutritious vegan menu at the Rawk Star Café, but don't take my word for it – I'm biased 😊
But before I want to help you make a life-changing decision, let me briefly show you why you may want to make that choice as stated in this article.
Some Of The Benefits Of A Vegan Diet
1. Saving animal lives through reduced consumption and demand
2. Improve your digestion with additional fiber in your diet
3. Potentially lose weight as you can typically eat more vegan food as they have fewer calories
4. There has been some research that shows that you could lower blood sugar levels
5. Reduced risk of heart disease
6. May lower the chance of certain cancers (such as colon cancer)
As you can see, there are a variety of benefits you can get by switching to a vegan diet, and there are more benefits than we covered here. That being said, switching to a more restrictive but fulfilling diet can be a deeply personal and challenging decision. So if you're considering it, let us give you some helpful tips that helped us when we switched.
1. Really Understand YOUR Why
It can be hard to commit and stick to your decision if you're considering the big switch but haven't nailed down why. Your reason for making the change should be your North Star and an intrinsic part of your personality or values, such that it strengthens your will to stick to your decision when you think about it. For me, it was to take a personal stand against animal cruelty after I learned about the conditions in which animals had to be kept to feed the insatiable demand for meat. So just remembering the documentaries was enough to keep me on the straight and narrow.
2. Take It Slow
Making a sustainable shift away from meat can be difficult, and it does not need to happen overnight. While some may have the fortitude or strength of will to quit cold turkey, most of us may need to start small and slowly work our way towards a 100% vegan diet. You could start by giving up a particular type of meat or only eating meat for five out of seven days. Then gradually reduce your meat consumption till it's entirely out of your diet. This can be a great way to ease yourself into the new diet, and you won't catch yourself missing meat too often.
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CALL NOW3. Find Alternatives
It has never been an easier time to be a vegan. Plant-based and lab-grown meat alternatives have become more plentiful and affordable. Sometimes it can even be hard to tell the difference between real meat and a substitute. While some may see this as "cheating," the same outcome is met, and in general, a whatever works attitude can help you stick to your decision.
4. Explore Your Options
Just because you've limited yourself to certain types of food doesn't mean you've limited your palette to only bland vegetables. Especially if you live in larger cities, it can be easy to find restaurants catering only to vegetarians or with great vegan options. Don't be afraid to try dishes from other cultures too. Greek cuisine has numerous great-tasting vegetarian options. If you're OK with something more exotic, Indian and East Asian dishes can be very flavorful and rich, if a bit spicy. Who knows, you may discover your next favorite dish! At the Rawk Star Café, we have a wide range of vegan options on our menu, from healthy smoothies and salads to vegetable wraps and more.
5. Meet Other Vegans or Vegetarians
At times, it can be challenging to stick to a new diet when you're constantly tempted by meat-based alternatives when out with non-vegan friends. Dining with vegan friends, at least occasionally, can help you discover new dishes, erase the temptation, and get support from others who share similar values. Most large cities have vegetarian meet-ups, so you may want to visit a few and meet like-minded folk.
6. Remember: It's A Marathon, Not A Sprint
Especially when you get started, you may find yourself falling of the proverbial wagon and feasting on meat again. That's OK; it's not the end of the world. Remember why you chose this lifestyle, pick yourself up and keep moving forward. Over time, you'll find it easier and easier to say no when presented with meat options. And should you falter again, that's OK too. You'll be fine if you remind yourself why you're doing this and keep trying – don't let the, often self-perceived, judgment of others deter you from sticking to your values.
We hope these quick tips on sticking to a vegetarian diet will help you with sticking to your decision to go meat-free. And should you ever need just a bit more motivation, drop by The Rawk Star Café, in Oldsmar, Florida. Our wide selection of delectable vegan dishes will help you stick to a vegan diet by providing a variety of dishes, many of which can be customized to suit your tastes. Satisfy your cravings by stopping by today!
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