Take it slowly
If you rush into any new diet without preparing, you will probably find it quite hard. So take veganism a step at a time. Many vegans consider dairy the cruellest of food industries, so you could start by cutting out milk and cheese, then eliminate meat, then eggs. Or go vegan just two days a week to begin with. It is better to ease into veganism over a month or two and then stick with it, than to dive in too fast and wonder why it didn’t work for you.
Eat out with confidence
Don’t worry about eating out: most high-street chains - including Wagamama, Pizza Express, Gourmet Burger and Nando’s – have popular vegan options. Most menus at Chinese, Indian, Thai and Mexican restaurants have delicious plant-based dishes too. On the road a lot? The Happy Cow app can help you find vegan-friendly outlets.
Brace yourself for odd reactions
Meat-eaters are sometimes far more interested in veganism than vegans themselves. So, be ready for odd questions (“That’s a shame – but you can still eat fish, right?”); unsolicited defence-mechanisms (“I don’t like holier-than-thou vegans and I only eat humanely slaughtered meat”); or even unprovoked verbal attacks. It can be overwhelming, but remind yourself that they are ones who feel uncomfortable with veganism, not you.
Connect with other vegans
Vegans are a growing minority: a recent survey claimed that there are now 3.5 million of us in the UK. So if you connect with vegan groups on Facebook you can instantly tap into a mine of wisdom and experience on everything from recipes to the tastiest non-dairy Parmesan, or the most vegan-friendly cafe in Aberystwyth.
Learn your labels
Understanding how food labels work will save you a lot of time in the supermarket aisles. Legally, manufacturers have to state any allergens in the product, so milk or eggs will usually be highlighted in bold in the ingredients. However, if a label says the product “may contain milk”, this simply means it was made in a factory where milk is also present and doesn’t mean it isn’t vegan. (For a nice surprise, Google “accidentally vegan” for a comprehensive and growing list of all the well-known products that are vegan by accident. )
Transcend imitation
You can buy vegan versions of everything from mozzarella to fried chicken and doner kebabs. There are even meat-free steaks that bleed. These tasty products can be useful during your early days on the plant-based path, but you might find it rewarding to move away from imitating meat-eaters and instead stand confident as a vegan.
Focus on the why
If you find yourself wobbling, remember why you made the change. Whether it is because you no longer wanted to endorse the meat and dairy industries, or because going vegan can be one of the easiest and most effective ways to help the environment, it pays to remember why you went vegan.
