The vegan lifestyle, though more widely accepted nowadays, often gets a bad rep for being too restrictive, too difficult, or unnecessary. But it’s not, and more often than not, people just need help understanding what it is and what it takes to make the switch. If that brownie doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will. College life can be extra challenging when trying to become vegan, but it’s entirely doable and you may thank yourself later. Here are some tips to help you go vegan in college:
1. Let go of the stereotypes!!
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"Vegans are weird." "Vegans are hippies." "Vegans don’t eat mindblowingly delicious food." Vegans can’t get six packs." "Vegans don’t get enough protein." "Vegans are missing out on the only thing in life that matters which is bacon." "Vegan is boring!"
If you didn’t already know, being vegan is actually really fun and exciting and allows you to explore new and creative foods.
2. Take baby steps
Not everyone can become vegan overnight, and honestly, I didn’t either. It can be a tough transition, so take it slow. Start by cutting out red meat and then try becoming vegetarian. Eventually cut down on your dairy consumption and pretty soon you’ll be a full-blown vegan. One step at a time.
3. Try some vegan replacements
While it’s ideal from a health standpoint to stick to natural ingredients, there are tons of relatively healthy vegan replacements, from butter to chicken to cheese. Tempeh and tofu are great sources of protein and are super versatile ingredients, and plant-based milks are definitely a staple. Oh, and yes, vegan bacon is a thing.
4. Get cooking and find some recipes
Surf the interwebs for cool, new recipes to get you pumped about being vegan. The internet pretty much has it all, from chocolate candy bars and crazy cupcakes to loaded “burgers” and delicious veggie bowls. The best part is that once you get comfortable with your vegan cooking skills, you can improvise and invent your own recipes.
By learning to cook and investing in a few vegan cookbooks, you can make absolutely anything vegan. There are hundreds of vegan cookbooks on the market, including some written specifically for college students. PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook
is packed with 275 cheap and easy recipes that can be made using your college dorm microwave. 3-minute pancakes in a cup, anyone?
5. Don't skip the protein
There is technically no such thing as protein deficiency. That being said, protein is still important to your health Vegans get plenty of protein from grains, beans, nuts and veggies. Tofu and tempeh are also good sources of protein. If you’re an athlete concerned about building muscle and endurance you may consider a raw, vegan protein powder.
6. Be BFFs with the salad bar
But that doesn’t mean your salads have to be boring. Pile those toppings in! The more the merrier! Add a kick-butt dressing or, if your dining hall doesn’t have vegan dressing, get creative and make your own using olive oil, vinegar, and Sriracha, or even peanut butter for a Thai-inspired twist.
7. Don't be afraid to go out to dinner
If it’s a potluck, bring your own vegan dish for everyone to try. If you go out to a restaurant, check with the waiter to figure out if there are any vegan options. You can also eat before, but if you don’t want to seem rude, you can always make an exception. Being vegan is not about being perfect; you can bend the rules sometimes.
8. Treat yourself every now and again
Brownies, cookies, cakes, pies, chocolate, donuts, any dessert you could possibly think of, we vegans have it. And they taste amazing. Also, have a secret stash of vegan dark chocolate or ice cream in your dorm room for those late nights and that raging sweet tooth.
9. Veganize your cafeteria
Let’s face it, it’s a zillion times easier to go vegan in college if your dining hall is uber vegan-friendly. If yours isn’t (yet), it’s time to get chummy with the dining hall director. YOU can be the catalyst for change. It is the dining director’s job to make sure the dining options are suitable to all students, so (politely!) tell him or her how important it is that school cafeterias offer great vegan options! If they don’t seem to be listening, it’s time to circulate a petition, which can be delivered to the dining hall director as well as the student government and anyone else who may have a say.
10. Don't get discouraged. It'll take some time
You will encounter bumps in the road. You probably won’t be used to eating so many fruits and vegetables so your taste buds will have to adjust. This could take a few weeks to months to get used to. You may also get mad cravings at first, but they will eventually go away and you won’t actually miss any of that stuff. Just remember that, for whatever reason you decide to go vegan, it’ll be well worth the effort.
Overall, just have fun! Stop thinking about what you are giving up (nasty, unhealthy, environmentally destructive and incredibly cruel products), and start thinking about all the new things you’ll be discovering and enjoying. There is a whole world of delicious food out there that you may not have even begun to explore.
Kick your pessimism to the curb and get happy, because you’re finally rocking the most compassionate diet on the planet!!
