In the past few years, more and more people have transitioned to a vegan lifestyle for many reasons, whether it's dietary needs, the environment, or the animals. At the same time, a negative stereotype of all vegans being snobby know-it-all's has spread on social media.
Believe it or not, I am not here to tell you that you need to change your eating habits, but I amhere to share my own vegan experience, and explain, in all honesty, the good and the bad that comes with it.
In February 2015, I was inspired by some of my friends to become vegan. At first, I saw this lifestyle change as a huge leap out of my comfort zone, so I started off as semi-vegetarian. This meant I ate meat no more than three times a week and reduced my intake of foods with animal products in them. This was only a minor change in my diet, so I found it to be fairly manageable.
I slowly transitioned to full vegetarianism, and by late May, I called myself a vegan. I completely cut out meat and seafood from my diet but occasionally ate some foods with milk and butter in them, like chocolate and cookies.
Within a month and a half, I had cut out dairy products completely. No more cheese pizza, no more milk chocolate, no more cookies. It sounds difficult, doesn't it? It was surprisingly easier than I thought because I made this transition at my own pace. My eating habits didn't change overnight. It was a process that continued throughout the summer as I researched the effects of animal cruelty on the environment, the ethics behind veganism, and its benefits on my health- and the benefits without a doubt outweigh the negatives. I don't feel guilty anymore because the food on my plate doesn't come from the torture of animals.
The obvious turn-offs to becoming vegan are expense and lack of self-restraint.
1. The price of veganism is high at first.
Just like starting a new sport, the gear is expensive, but it's a one-time investment. With veganism, you can stock up on common foods such as chia seeds and rice. I will admit, foods you must buy regularly, such as fruits and vegetables, are pricey, but they can be used for making all sorts of foods: acai bowls, vegan ice cream, and smoothies!
2. There were many times when I ate out with my non-vegan friends and had only one option on the menu.
I didn't have an entire selection of foods to choose from like everyone else. Even though this was sometimes a struggle, I focused on the many health benefits of veganism.
Watching YouTubers like Bonny Rebecca and Niomi Smart also encouraged me to become and remain vegan. Both of them show how simple and healthy the lifestyle is, and they show that this choice comes from a compassionate place - a love for our animals, our environment, and our health.
