Vegan diet - 5 tips for making the switch

Going vegan is a decision that more and more people are making. But the transition is not easy for mixed dieters as well as vegetarians and pescetarians. The following 7 tips for switching to a vegan diet will make it easier.

What is a vegan diet?

Before we get into the specific tips, we need to clarify what a vegan diet actually means. People who are completely vegan do without and avoid any products that are made using animals. This means that animal products and by-products are also avoided in clothing, cosmetics and simply in all aspects of everyday life. Furthermore , holistic vegans do not go to zoos, visit circuses or take part in equestrian sports. The vegan diet is therefore only a small component of a life principle.

A vegan diet means that animal products and by-products are avoided in any form. This includes not only eggs, but also honey, various drinks and processed seemingly vegetarian foods. An exception is made for yeast and mushrooms. With many products, it is not so easy to recognise the animal products or by-products or their use in production. It is therefore worth educating yourself extensively, attending seminars and reading a lot before switching to a vegan diet.

The 5 most important tips for prospective vegans

Switching to a vegan diet can be for ethical reasons as well as for health reasons (as with the ayurvedic diet). Some people discover this vegan path during an educational holiday about nature conservation and the environment, climate or nature resilience, for others the starting signal is given by a certain impression, such as a video about cruelty to animals. You should always bear these motivations in mind, as the path to a sustainable vegan diet is not equally easy for everyone. The initial period of the transition is particularly paved with temptations and enticements. However, the following 5 tips will definitely help.

1. learn the basics of a vegan diet

It is important to inform yourself thoroughly before starting a vegan diet. Vegan does not automatically mean healthy. Some important nutrients and trace elements are lacking in plant-based products or are present in lower quantities. You have to be particularly careful with amino acids. If you know what's in what, you can put together a diet that provides your body with all the important nutrients, minerals, vitamins and trace elements.

2. step by step to a vegan diet

The easiest way to start a vegan diet is step by step. Instead of making a complete switch overnight, it is better to gradually switch to vegan products. Firstly, remove meat and fish from your diet, then eggs, cheese, milk and so on.

3. clear out food and stock up on new supplies

To avoid temptation in the first place and because you no longer need the food, the first step is to sort out and give away everything that is not suitable for a vegan diet. Then it's time to build up a new vegan stockpile. At this point at the latest, newcomers to the vegan diet will realise how extensive the stockpile will become.

4 Exchange ideas with other vegan eaters

Especially in the early days, it can be easy to feel a little lost, perhaps even overwhelmed and your motivation can suffer. It helps to exchange ideas with others. There are many groups on social media, but also communities in real life where you can seek help, advice and exchange ideas. Communication works wonders!

5. cook for yourself and collect recipes

Eating a vegan diet and not cooking yourself is almost impossible. If you cook for yourself, you know exactly what's in it and can also put together the things that are important for a healthy diet. There are many cookery groups and recipe books that can be used to add variety to the vegan table and prevent deficiency symptoms from occurring in the first place.