Growing up an athlete, I was always taught that people, especially athletes, need lots of protein. I was told that protein comes from eating meat, so that’s exactly what I did. I had heard the word “vegan” maybe twice in my life before college, and all I knew about vegans was that they didn’t eat animal products, like meat and dairy. At the time, pretty much everything I ate was derived from animals, so I didn’t understand how not eating meat and dairy could be sustainable for anyone.
Then I went to college.
One of my friends was vegan, and I remember thinking “How does this girl survive? All she can eat is lettuce!” After getting to know her and veganism a little better, I was convinced to try out eating a vegan diet for a month. Here’s what happened.
Stage 1: The Research
With my friend’s help, I was able to find foods that were both vegan and high in protein. I learned that there are many options for protein in a plant-based diet, like beans, tofu, potatoes and oats. I grew to love rice and beans with veggies. I also learned that your body and brain run mostly on carbohydrates, not protein, so even though protein is very important, carbs from whole foods are also vital to being healthy.
Stage 2: The Cravings
One thing I definitely struggled with was craving the foods I was used to eating, especially chicken and cheese. However, I found that there are literally vegan versions of everything. I’m talking all sorts of vegan meats, cheeses and even eggs. I relied on these alternatives heavily during the first week while my body was still adjusting to this new diet.
Stage 3: The Changes
One of the first changes I noticed was how my body and mind felt. I felt extremely clear-headed, like my mind was free from any “fog” it once had. I also had a lot more energy, thanks to all the healthy carbs I was eating. I did feel a bit bloated for the first couple of weeks, since my body wasn’t used to eating so many carbs, but that soon subsided.
Stage 4: The Results
I ended up losing about five pounds that month, without even trying. That was the most surprising thing to me. I also learned a lot about animal cruelty throughout the month, which made me feel even better about not eating animal products. There is so much about the meat industry and what they do to animals that I had never even thought about.
The Verdict:
Will I continue eating a vegan diet?
For now, yes. I feel better than ever and I’m not consuming anything associated with animal cruelty, which puts my mind at ease and makes me feel like I am doing something good for the planet. I personally see no reason for me not being vegan, especially with all the vegan options out there.
So give it a try, collegiates! You never know what could happen. Photo source: www.foodandnutrition.org