TOP TEN TIPS FOR NEW VEGANS

Top Ten Tips for My 

Newbie Vegan Husband

1. Cheat a Little. I know that when you put your mind to something, you go all out! However, going vegan all at once may not work for you. You may want to give yourself a cheat day once a week. If you continue to stay vegan you can space the cheat days farther apart. If you do cheat (not on me of course!), forgive yourself and don’t throw in the towel over a few poor choices.

2. Experiment. If you try a new vegan food every day you’ll be opening up all sorts of culinary adventures. Have you ever tried tempeh? Coconut ice cream? Meatless meatballs? Hazelnut milk? Veggie burgers? Nutritional Yeast? Vegan pesto? You’ll thank me later.

3. Educate yourself. Find out what constitutes proper vegan nutrition so you won’t simply grab vegan junk food every time hunger strikes. You’ll feel better and your meals will taste better too. 

4. Supplement! If you decide to go vegan long term, plant-based protein powders, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D2, vegan DHA capsules, iron, and calcium will help ensure that you don’t experience any nutritional deficiencies during your vegan journey.

5. Play the Game. Treat this experience like a game that you want to win! When you are vegan you have to figure out how to take some of your favorite meals and swap out the animal products for vegan ingredients. When traveling you have to find the best vegan restaurant in town. When at Taco Bell you have to tell them what to add and what to subtract from your taco to make it vegan. When attending a potluck you’ll need to dream up a vegan dish that will satisfy you and delight others.

6. Shop Ahead. When shopping for vegan foods, fall in love with the produce and bulk areas at your local health food store. Remember that fruit and nuts are your new fast food. Make sure you read labels for non-vegan ingredients. Most products have an allergen statement listed below the ingredients that will let you know if the product contains milk or eggs. Sometimes the allergens are bolded in the ingredients list. Also, look for whey, casein, rennet, gelatin and carmine in ingredients lists. These items are NOT vegan.

7. Enjoy Accidentally Vegan Items. Believe it or not some items that you already regularly consume are vegan! Peta has a list of accidently vegan items here: http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/accidentally-vegan.aspx

8. Remember Why You’re Taking on this Challenge. Re-read the passages of The World Peace Diet that inspired you the most to make this change. Watch Mercy For Animals’ Farm to Fridge video and other vegan inspired videos on YouTube. Watch Forks Over Knives. Read The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Living.

9. Research and Connect. Join Vegan online groups like www.vegweb.com, buy a vegan cookbook like Vegan Cooking for Carnivores: Over 125 Recipes So Tasty You Won't Miss the Meat, and find vegetarian and vegan restaurants in your area through http://www.happycow.net/.

10. Celebrate Your Progress! In three weeks time, step back and reflect on the progress you’ve made. Think about what new fruits and veggies you’ve added to your diet, consider the new vegan foods and recipes that you have discovered that you love, and acknowledge any new connections you’ve made as a result of going vegan. Perhaps you’ve even lost some weight and feel more energized. Celebrate the little victories you’ve made and reward yourself accordingly.