"How do you know if someone’s vegan?" "Don't worry, they'll tell you"
Is a joke that most vegans giggle at because there’s actually a lot of truth to it. You see, transitioning into veganism means changing your lifestyle. Not just the types of food you eat. It means cutting out all animal products from your life, including honey, fur, leather and certain makeup brands. But trust me, it's not all bad! You may be surprised to hear that there is pretty much a vegan alternative to everything nowadays. That’s right, vegan leather, vegan makeup and even vegan eggs!
Eggs, bacon, sausage, toast with butter, the vegan alternatives really are endless. Most supermarkets stock vegan produce and a lot of them are now introducing their own free-from range which includes plenty of meat, dairy and egg free options so, no meal has to revolve around salad (Although, you bet most vegans can make a killer salad).
Amelia Allen, who’s been vegan for three years, said her favourite food is Pizza.
She said: “I could eat pizza all day every day. I use vegan cheese or just stick to a tomato base with tonnes of veg toppings. The best thing is that it doesn’t make me feel bloated afterwards because it’s all healthy and nutritious. I never thought that Pizza could actually be good for my body”.
Did you know, that there are now 1 in 8 vegetarians and vegans opting for this nutritious lifestyle across the UK? The new ethical trend has unsurprisingly become a hit within the restaurant industry with more and more plant-based shops and café’s popping up around the UK.
Chain restaurants such as Zizzi, Las Iguanas, Yo! Sushi and Nandos all have certified vegan options and menus available, so you never have to feel excluded when dining out with friends and family and it doesn’t stop there! Even scientists and chefs are developing food made from plants that would even tempt a carnivore.
Impossible Foods, a company dedicated to creating a better way to make the meats and cheeses we love, without using animals, has developed a vegan burger that tastes exactly like the real thing. It’s the real deal, this burger has the same texture, taste and smell of a beef burger but without the involvement of any animal products what so ever. Their website explains that;
“At Impossible, we are creating burgers for meat lovers, directly from proteins and other ingredients found in plants. We aim to deliver, without compromise, every pleasure that meat lovers get from burgers – from the visual appearance and versatility of the raw meat, to the smell and sizzle during cooking, to the ultimate taste and texture of the burger.”
This culture shift involving the development of our food shows that the veganism movement has grown massively since it was picked up by the mainstream media over the last couple of years. It’s even taken Hollywood by storm with countless celebrities choosing a vegan lifestyle, including the gorgeous Liam Hemsworth who has been vegan for just over a year.
The Hunger Games Star said he chose a plant-based lifestyle as “There are no negatives to eating like this. I feel nothing but positive, mentally and physically. I love it. I feel like it also has a kind of a domino effect on the rest of my life.”
Like Liam Hemsworth, by going vegan many positive effects can happen to your body and the environment. Through this transition you will become a part of a huge online community available 24/7, so you’ll always have help and advice whenever you need it.
Katie Brookes, adopted the vegan lifestyle after wanting to lose weight for a holiday, she said: “I had put on weight during uni and wanted to look good in holiday pics. I watched a YouTuber called, Freelee the Banana Girl, who taught me that you can eat as many carbohydrates as you want and just try to eat less fat. I’ve learnt that carbs are actually awesome and a very misunderstood necessity. Paired with high-intensity exercise three times a week, I lost over 10lbs and have never felt better.”
Of course, veganism isn't for everyone but if you're thinking of giving a plant-based life a go then these eight easy steps will help to ensure success.
1) Research and then More Research
This step is not as bad as it seems thanks to all the amazing free online content available for your viewing pleasure. Documentaries are by far the easiest way to discover the positives of a vegan lifestyle. Watch Cowspiracy and Earthlings to find out about the harsh realities of dairy and factory farming whilst offering you some great advice to help you on your journey to veganism.
If documentaries really aren’t your thing, you could always hit up social media sites such as Instagram, to gather all the research you need at your own pace. Instagrammers like @VeganSidekick, @AlternativeChefSteph and @VeganCommunity all regularly post amazing content surrounding veganism, including food, recipes, statistics and funny memes. By following accounts promoting veganism, you will always be up to date with the latest news and facts surrounding this lifestyle.
2) The Little Things
Start by trying to introduce more veg in your life and less junk food. If you’re not a huge fruit or veg lover, you could try making smoothies to satisfy your sweet tooth whilst still getting all those vital vitamins into your body. Don’t forget to snap a cute pic of your fruity vegan treat and upload it to Instagram. The vegan community will love you for it.
Remember to try and be more conscious of the clothes, shoes and beauty products you buy too!
3) Go Veggie First
Choosing to go vegetarian first cuts out the meat and fish from your diet. This can be a big step for some people but thankfully there are now hundreds of vegetarian options in restaurants and supermarkets wherever you go in the world.
Ruth Kavanagh decided to go vegetarian before moving to a plant-based lifestyle.
She said: “I chose to go vegetarian first because it’s not as drastic having to cut out dairy and eggs so you can just focus on one thing. Soon after becoming vegetarian I discovered all the amazing vegan options that supermarkets, restaurants and cookbooks had to offer. Baby steps worked for me, and I think the trick is to not over consume eggs and dairy. Now I’ve been happily vegan for one year.
4) Time to switch to Plant Power!
The dairy industry contributes to a lot of negative environmental issues. More and more forests are being destroyed to create industrial milking parlours. But don’t worry, there's a more environmentally friendly alternative in the form of plants!
Made from Soya, Almond, Rice, Oats, Hemp and Hazelnut there are so many milk and butter varieties to choose from, all of them have their own unique and delicious flavour and provide a great source of protein. They're tonnes better for your body and the environment which is a win-win really. Give them all a go to see which one is your fave.
5) Hitting the shops
The best way to begin shopping like a vegan goddess is to write a list. Here you plan exactly what alternatives you can buy using a little bit of help from the internet. It will mean you're not at a loss when you're in the shop too! Keep making lists until you know what's what.
However, if in doubt, all you need to do is check the ingredients in bold and make sure to avoid any animal products – including honey.
6) Tackling The Unknown
When it comes to trying vegan alternatives you should just go for it! If you don’t like one thing, don’t assume it’s all like that because there are always plenty of options to try. If you’re unsure of what to eat, make sure you check out all the amazing vegan recipes online and maybe purchase a vegan cookbook.
7) Wining and Dining
Like the sophisticated woman you are, eating out is one of the best activities you can do. There are easy ways to eating out as a vegan. Try to look at the menu in advance and see what restaurants have to offer until you find an option for you. This will remove any stress from your dining experience.
No luck with a vegan option? Don't worry because most of the time it’s easy to make vegetarian suitable for vegans and all you have to do is ask. If there are still no options available remember that sides are a girl’s best friend! Often chips and a side salad with bread is a good option, again just ask the waiter.
8) The future is bright
Well done! You're now well on your way to a more ethical and wholesome lifestyle!
Whilst being vegan you save one animal's life a day, massively reduce your carbon footprint for the good of the planet and become a healthier, happier you.
If there’s one thing all vegans can agree upon it’s living a sustainable life that is more than just a diet for hippies and rabbits.