My meat free journey began at the age of 12 when I became vegetarian. For my 21st birthday, I decided to challenge myself and adopt a vegan diet and lifestyle. The idea of merely eating vegetables and fruit terrified me. A life without milk and cheese, now that is scary. I am four years into my wonderful vegan journey and I have never felt better.

At 21, little did I know that the decision to go vegan would be the most transformative and profound move of my life. Since adopting a vegan diet - I am the happiest and healthiest I have ever been, my energy levels are sky high, and I rarely get sick anymore. Oh, and the whole lifestyle forced me to learn how to cook. Really cook! I don’t think I would ever have learned if it wasn’t for this change - I was pretty happy as a carb vegetarian on a beige diet. In recent years, as veganism has also taken massive strides in social acceptance, I see a very positive future ahead.

How to transition to a vegan diet?

Honestly, it may seem really daunting, but it’s often the idea of an extreme lifestyle change that’s scarier than actually implementing it.

• Add to your diet before you remove from it - start with incorporating more whole grain, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds into your diet and learning how to cook delicious vegan recipes.
• Now take it slow - be realistic, you’re not going to do it overnight. Pick your ideal date to transition fully to a vegan diet. Cut animal products out one by one until your chosen date.
• Find a replacement for your favourite treats - this was my biggest downfall. Find the vegan equivalent of your favourite food or recipe, everything can be made vegan and it tastes just as good.
• I can’t emphasize this enough - learn how to read ingredients. Learn how to tell if a product is suitable for vegans and familiarize yourself with animal derived ingredients.
• Plan your meals. Preparation – while this seems obvious, believe me this will be the reason you revert back to your old diet.
• And lastly, remember your reasons for doing this - remind yourself why you’ve chosen this lifestyle and it’s benefits.

How to incorporate it socially?

I struggled with navigating the social world as a vegan. Four years year ago, vegan dishes were not plentiful in restaurants. Thankfully however, this isn’t the case today. My biggest piece of advice is to be prepared for social situations. Do you need to cook food? Do you need to inform friends of your dietary needs? Do you need to check out a menu prior to visiting the restaurant? Communication is key. If you’re going out to dinner, suggest places where you can eat. Be sure to check that the restaurant can make modifications or accommodate your needs. If attending a dinner party or going to a friends house, bring food, whether it’s baking, cooking or buying some stuff in the shop. If going to an event or party where you know you’ll be eating, make sure to inform the host.

Going vegan, without an ounce of doubt, has been the best decision I’ve ever made. If you’re considering the move, think carefully and follow some of my tips above. It’s a choice people make for a variety of reasons – moral, health, environmental… but believe me, it’s not as hard as you think!

“Veganism is not a sacrifice. It is a joy.” - Gary L. Francione