If you love your burgers and milkshakes, do not binge watch documentaries on veganism. I spent last summer watching every last vegan YouTuber and Netflix special that I could. In a few short weeks I was convinced to give veganism a shot. I transitioned slowly and soon spent two weeks animal product free. It was an experience like I have never had before and I learned quite a lot along the way.
You need to be creative.
With veganism, you are limited to the foods you can eat. Trust me, avocado toast, rice bowls and smoothies get old very fast. Not only do you need to get creative with ingredients, but you have to have the time to put into prepping food. Thankfully there is a wealth of vegan bloggers that are dedicated to making food taste delicious. Hot for Food, the Minimalist Baker and Fettle Vegan are great blogs with amazing foodspiration.
Your body needs time to adjust.
One word… fiber. By switching to a plant-based diet you are cutting out almost all saturated fats and consuming a larger amount of fiber; so much fiber that your digestive tract will need some time to adjust. If you are considering veganism try it out for month or so so that you can experience what it is like once your body gets use to the new foods you are eating.
Your friends won’t understand.
Saying yes to veganism means saying no to a lot of the food that restaurants have to offer. My friends were worried that we would not longer be able to go out to dinner or our favorite restaurants anymore. Honestly, going vegan does come with sacrifices and you will probably be eating more plain salads at restaurants than you would like. Luckily, a lot of restaurants are realizing the growth of veganism and have special options that cater to those with plant-based diets. New places on State Street like Naf Naf Grill and Forage Kitchen offer delicious vegan and non-vegan options.
You will get made fun of.
If your friends are anything like mine they will make jokes about your choice of trying veganism. Though they were always lighthearted, you have to prepare for people to poke fun at you.
You will feel good.
You will start to feel more energized after a week or two. It really is true that the better the food you put in, the better you will feel. Not only will you feel healthier, but you will also realize that you have the ability to make a difference.
After two weeks the cost of food started taking its toll, my mom started getting worried about my bone health and I actually gained weight. I realized that veganism is not easy to fit into a fast-paced life on a college student’s budget. Though, if I have any piece of advice, it would be to give it a try. You never know, it could be something that totally changes your life (plus vegan ice cream is a hidden gem).