Veganism can be a controversial topic regardless of which side of the fence you’re on. People are either on one extreme of radically condemning meat eaters or the next, thinking compassion for animals is absurd. I have found personally that I oftentimes get a negative reaction rather than a positive one when people find out I’m vegan. However lately more and more people are coming to me for guidance on how they too can go vegan or at the very least minimize their meat intake. Many people are experiencing the direct result of what overconsumption of chemically treated meats can have on the body. Veganism is the practice of not eating, wearing or using any animals or any animal products. Animals and their body parts are used in everything from foods, glue, plastic bags, clothing and even wine! Every little bit helps though, so if you feel led to lead a vegan life, do what you can and start where you are. The switch isn’t an easy one regardless of how much will power you have. My own journey towards veganism taught me that it is more a psychological and consciousness issue rather than if someone has the physical capacity to thrive without meat. Below I share a few tips that can help you transition to a cruelty free lifestyle regarding your food plate specifically.

1-SCHEDULE YOUR VEGAN DAYS- Instead of consuming meat every day at every meal try having a full day with no meat once or twice a week. On these selected days, focus on eating more whole grains, beans and legumes.  Also include fresh leafy greens and fruits as you should every day whether you are consuming meat or not.  Remember vegans don’t eat any animal products so this includes milk, cheese, yogurt and the such. If you want to just exclude meat, that’s great. If you decide to go all out and exclude all animal products, good for you!!

2-SWAP OUT- One way to start transitioning to veganism is swapping meats for beans, lentils, mushrooms or faux meats. A word of caution with meat substitutes/faux meats: Some fake meats are heavily processed and contain additives that like meat aren’t the best for daily consumption, especially if not the organic variety. An example of this is soy based fake meats which can negatively impact one’s hormones. Occasional consumption of faux meats isn’t necessarily life threatening provided you drink plenty of water and eat natural, cleansing, living foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

3-INVEST IN QUALITY PLANT BASED PROTEIN POWDER- This is a surefire way to curb hunger and ensure your body doesn’t go into starvation mode. Above all this keeps you from losing your shit and pulling up on that drive thru for a bacon cheeseburger! Plant based varieties of protein powders include: pea, hemp, soy, brown rice or blends. There are many good ones out there and of course some that aren’t the greatest. The things to be mindful of is the amount of sugars, artificial flavors & colors, artificial sugars (aspartame, acesulfame K, Splenda) fillers and GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). If possible ensure your protein powder is organic or non-gmo at least; especially if it has ingredients like soy, soy lecithin, and corn. Be wary of the sugar content and be sure it has 5 or less grams of sugar. Between 1-2 grams of sugar is ideal for a basic protein powder. A little higher is permissible for a plant based meal replacement powder. Fillers include food items like carrageenan and soy or thickeners like xanthan gum.

My go to brands for plant based proteins are: Nutiva’s Hemp protein, Naturade’s Vegan Smart, and Sunwarrior Warrior Blend.  

4-MOVE TOWARDS BEING PESCATARIAN OR VEGETARIAN FIRST! - Oftentimes doing things in steps make attaining a big goal a little easier. A vegetarian is one who does not eat meat but consumes eggs, dairy products, such as butter, cheese, milk or honey.  A pescatarian is a person who is vegetarian but also eats fish and seafood.

5-WATCH/RESEARCH INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS/DOCUMENTARIES- There are thousands of documentaries on the internet and streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and YouTube that discuss the food industry; the hidden cruel treatment of farm animals, impact of animal farming on the planet and personal health risks associated with overconsumption of meats. Many people, after being enlightened by the information find they cannot un-know what they just learned. Sometimes being in touch with the reality of what is going on behind the scenes is enough of a catalyst to be the author of our own stories. If you believe you are truly ready to face what the food industry may not be so forthcoming about then please take a moment to check out the following documentaries:

“Cowspiracy” (Netflix), “What the Health” (Netflix) & “Food, Inc” (Netflix) are just a few.

**Please mentally prepare yourself for what you may see as it can be a bit startling and some of the images may be disturbing. **

Bonus Tip! -IT’S ALL ABOUT FLAVOR- Several years ago I was at an event where I met a raw vegan chef. I was telling her how I admired the cruelty free lifestyle but that I could never imagine a life without chicken. Never say never! Anyway her response to me was that it wasn’t the meat per se that I had the love affair with. Instead it was the flavor, the seasonings and textures that I truly craved. Her comment was so accurate and helped me realize that I could not only survive but thrive without meat. I especially found this to be true when I started making vegan versions of my favorite dishes and cooking with a variety of herbs and spices. Season your lentils, beans, potatoes and occasional faux meats, the same way you would your meats.

Keep in mind, Rome wasn’t built in a day! It takes time to create any habit and oftentimes there is a bit more resistance when creating healthy ones. If you have been eating meat all of your life have some compassion for yourself and keep in mind that every instance you decide to go meat free you are making a positive impact in more ways than one! You reduce your personal carbon footprint which positively impacts the environment, you are taking control and responsibility for your health and you are creating good karma!