4 Things You Need to Know About Switching to a Plant Based Diet
Ready to Make That Change?
No longer the domain of yogurt-weaving hippies, plant-based diets have hit the mainstream in a big way!
With celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z and Beyoncé leading the way, people around the world are deciding to make the switch to a cruelty-free way of life.
Which is totally awesome!
But, before you take the leap there are some things you should be aware of…
1. People will question you
If you quit smoking or drinking, people are generally supportive of your decision. However, when you choose a plant-based lifestyle, it is not always so easy to get that support.
Friends, family, co-workers, even strangers, however well-intentioned, will feel the need to question your new lifestyle. Don’t feel as though you need to defend your new path, simply explain that you are going plant-based for your own reasons and leave it at that.
2. Check your sources
As is the case with any kind of lifestyle, you will need to make sure that you’re getting enough B12, iron, calcium, and protein from your food sources.
Up your intake of lentils, beans, quinoa, dark leafy greens, raisins and vitamin C rich foods such as red peppers and citrus fruits.
3. Limit your intake of soy
Often touted as the best alternative to meat, soy is a staple ingredient in many vegan dishes. The jury is still out on whether it is beneficial or harmful to you in the long run, though, so to be on the safe side take it easy on soy-based products.
4. Go easy on yourself
Making a switch to a wholly new lifestyle doesn’t just happen overnight. Even though you have taken that first step, the path to becoming fully plant-based is a long one and will take time.
You will make slip-ups and mistakes along the way, just go easy on yourself and remember that you are making as many of the right choices as you can.
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For a wide range of awesome plant-based clothing and accessories, head over to our store today.
Comments
Dar —
I’ve been plant based for six years and follow the plant based doctors and dieticians closely on social media and via newsletters. Every one of them that I’m aware of recommends supplementing with vitamin B12. 250 mcg/day or 2500 mcg/week of cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin is recommended. This is vital to survival. After a year or so of being without animal products, our B12 reserves become depleted. Many vegans do fine for a while then become very sick and say they need meat and switch back, when they just didn’t know they needed to supplement with B12. Some products are supplemented with B12…Its just better to be safe than sorry. No known harm has come from getting too much B12. For more info, read this. https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/vitamin-b12/
Lauren —
I love this!! Such good advice, I’m a little over a year in and all of these things are still relevant… it can be hard to make this lifestyle change, but so, so worth it!