5 Things You Need to Know Before Going Vegan

Vegans get a bad rap. Most people associate veganism with not being able to enjoy delicious meals, and often times they’re right. Most people who attempt a vegan lifestyle fail because they fail to prepare and plan adequately. Going vegan can be a great way to lose weight, reduce animal cruelty, and reduce your carbon footprint. Maybe you’re thinking about making the switch but what you need is more information.

Here are five things you need to know before giving up meat forever.

“Vegan” just means not eating animal products.

Going vegan is growing in popularity, but not everyone is vegan. Whether you’re a meat eater or someone who wants to cut down on animal-product consumption, you might consider going vegan. Going vegan is great, but it requires a lot of planning ahead.

Vegans eat only plant-based foods.

It may sound like a simple choice, but going vegan is a lifestyle decision that involves more than simply deciding not to eat animals. Vegans eat only plant-based foods, avoiding meat, dairy, and eggs. While vegans avoid animal products, they also avoid by-products of animal products, such as honey, gelatin, and leather. Veganism and vegetarianism are two distinct lifestyles, but they often go hand-in-hand.

Veganism is a lifestyle.

Veganism is a way of living and eating. Often people equate veganism with vegetarianism, but there are differences. It’s a lifestyle of non-violence toward animals. Vegans don’t eat foods that come from animals—or animals’ secretions, such as milk or eggs.

Veganism is not “just another diet.”

Veganism—the practice of refraining from eating all animal products—has gained in popularity. But, like many trendy diets, veganism has been misconstrued by many people, and many people believe that veganism is merely another fad diet. But it is no fad diet; it’s simply the dietary practice of following a plant-based diet—and the benefits are not only environmental but health as well.

Vegans use a variety of foods and grains.

Veganism is a dietary and lifestyle choice often associated with veganism, a philosophy that espouses the ethical treatment of animals. It advocates a vegan diet, which is the absence of animal products in the diet. Vegans do not use animal-derived products such as meat, dairy, eggs, and honey. They also do not use animal-derived clothing, cosmetics, and other products. Veganism has been popular in recent decades, and vegetarians (those who only eat vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds) are often considered vegans by some people.

If you’re considering going vegan, it’s important to think about your goals. Are you looking to lose weight? Manage your cholesterol? Control your diabetes. Make sure you understand what your goals are before you take the leap. From there, make sure you’re prepared by learning what vegan foods are available and familiarizing yourself with vegan recipes.

Going vegan is all the rage these days, but those new to the concept often wonder, “What do I need to know before I go vegan?” As anyone who’s tried going vegan can tell you, it’s not an easy transition. Vegans consume no animal products, which means they avoid meats and dairy and must rely on alternative food sources like vegetables, grains, and legumes. But, as someone who’s gone vegan can tell you, it’s not impossible.

Going vegan is a pretty big deal, and if you’re thinking of making the switch, you might want to get a few things out of the way first. You’ll have questions about how what to eat, what to buy, and what to discuss with your doctor. But, if you’re ready to take the leap and do it for the right reasons, veganism could be the best move you’ve ever made.

Eating plant-based food does wonder for your body, but some people may need to consider what they must do to avoid certain allergies and dietary needs. Though many meat-eaters lay their whole lives believing that meat is necessary for their diets, the truth is that meat is no longer a necessity. It is far from being the most nutritious of foods and should not be considered as such. You can substitute meat for plants and get the same nutrition, if not better.

At first, going vegan might sound difficult, but it’s easier than you think — with the right advice and support, you too can live a full, happy life on a plant-based diet.