We're giving you a 30-day FREE trial of Prime

8 Steps To Become A Vegan In 2024? (Without Losing Friends)

Want to become a vegan? Maybe you think you could never give up meat or dairy.. or maybe you want to try a 1-month vegan challenge just to see how you feel.

You’re not alone. There are more than 6.5 million Americans who claim to be vegan. While going vegan overnight seems pretty inspiring, it might not work for everyone. 

When I was researching the vegan diet, I found A LOT of vegan foods, vegan recipes, and even vegan pizza and ice cream for vegans!

Not to mention, I can make vegan recipes from my air fryer. And if you’re planning to get one, check out my review on the best small air fryers for personal use.

Changing your diet completely without knowing how to do it right can make the transition much more difficult.

So, I will tell you everything you need to know before going vegan. 

What Is Vegan?

Become A Vegan plating

When you say vegan, they do not consume foods produced from animals. A vegan typically eliminates meat, dairy, and egg products in their diet.

If you want to become a vegan, you can eliminate animal-derived ingredients from your daily life. Avoid animal-tested cosmetics and home products. Clothes and furniture are made from animal-derived materials such as sheep’s wool, leather and suede, and fur.

People practice veganism to help animals, reduce their environmental effects, and even support their personal health.

A vegan diet may appear difficult or too restrictive at first to you. But you will be surprised to find suitable vegan alternatives for your favorite foods. Once you’ve mastered a few basics, adjustment is easier than expected.

Why Do People Go Vegan?

Become A Vegan love

There are many reasons why people go vegan. And the most common is for the animals. 

Veganism is not only motivated by a desire to end animal exploitation. However, it is still the most important aspect for many people deciding to go vegan and stay vegan.

We meet many animals who hold special places in our hearts throughout our lives. And when we care about animals, the last thing we want is to see them suffer.

Sadly, millions of alive, lovable animals are made to suffer every day to become food on people’s plates. Pigs, chickens, cows, turkeys, goats, and sheep are subjected to the most terrible types of cruelty behind closed doors in the meat industry.

According to psychologists, having more pets as a child makes you more likely to avoid eating meat as an adult.

Some people become vegans because they care about the environment. Animal farming uses a lot of land and water to keep livestock and grow food.

Plant-based foods are much better for the environment than industrial animal farming. Researchers say that 14.5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from animal farming. The emissions cause our atmosphere to heat up and speed up global climate change.

Many people go vegan for health benefits. Well-planned vegan diets follow healthy eating rules and provide all of the nutrients that our bodies require.

It is a great way to learn more about nutrition and cooking. While also improving your diet.

What Are The Benefits Of a Vegan Diet?

Become A Vegan benefits
  • Lower the risk of heart disease
  • Better gut health
  • Lower the risk of diabetes
  • Lowers the risk of cancer 
  • Better brain function
  • Boost your mood
  • Greater feelings of fullness and sustained energy levels
  • Weight loss
  • Reduce our environmental impact
  • Bringing to light inhumane agricultural and animal testing practices

What Are The Negative Effects Of Becoming A Vegan?

Become A Vegan bloodwork
  • Anemia
  • Disruptions in the production of hormones
  • Low in fat
  • Maintaining adequate protein intake is more difficult
  • Risk of vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and zinc deficiencies

If you want to know more about the benefits and effects of vegan, you can read it from Nourish by WebMD

8 Ways On How To Become A Vegan In 2024

You all like lists. So here are 8 ways to become a vegan. These are the things you should know before going vegan.

Become A Vegan shopping list
  1. Learn about vegan

Since you’re reading this article, you’re probably considering going vegan. And it is a great way to start with!

Several books, blogs, and videos are available to educate you on what it means to be vegan and why you should do so.

  1. Take it slow
Become A Vegan meat free

One of the most common mistakes of going vegan is doing it overnight. It is possible! It’s totally fine to take things slowly.

It’s also a good idea to reduce your animal product consumption slowly. Take simple steps like going meat-free for one day a week or one meal a day. It can be much more achievable than going completely vegan at first.

Start with this and work your way up to eating more vegan meals as you build experience.

Remember to be kind to yourself! While you’re still new to this, you’re sure to fall off the wagon now and then. That’s okay! It will become easier with time.

  1. Focus on plant-based foods you already like
Become A Vegan concepts

When people go vegan, they often focus on what food they’re eliminating from their diet. It will just make your life miserable and difficult to achieve the diet!

Instead, focus on plant-based foods that you already enjoy. You can also look for an alternative to each dish you’re worried about giving up. 

In my case, ice cream is always my guilty pleasure. So, I research some alternatives. Now, I enjoy ice cream any time I want as a vegan.

I make ice cream using Yonanas dessert maker, so I won’t need any dairy to make ice cream! You can check out my 15 healthy Yonanas recipes.

  1. Discover more vegan recipes
Become A Vegan recipes

As a new vegan, take advantage of this opportunity to try some plant-based foods you’ve never tasted before.

It can be tempting to try a variety of vegan fast food substitutes. But remember to keep your nutrients boosted by focusing on whole and minimally processed foods.

I found a good source of easy vegan recipes that everybody already eats. Check out these Top 5 Vegan Foods.

  1. Try the one-month vegan challenge
Become A Vegan prep

Starting a vegan or any diet can be challenging. It’s easy to become bored and frustrated to eating the same thing repeatedly.

It is true for those who are trying to make the switch to a vegan diet. But, thanks to the 1-month vegan challenge, going vegan is now a lot easier.

What is the one-month vegan challenge? It will help you make positive lifestyle and dietary changes. It is the best practice for people who wish to lose weight and gain energy by following a vegan diet.

  1. Gradually replace animal-derived ingredients with plant-based ones
Become A Vegan nuts!

You must start adding more plant-based alternatives while reducing animal products from your diet. Instead of using chicken or beef broth, you can use vegetable or mushroom broth.

Making the switch to plant-based alternatives will make it much easier to reduce animal products even more.

Food Network has some cool alternatives to animal-derived ingredients. You can check it out to make any recipe vegan!

  1. Learn about your nutritional needs
Become A Vegan nutrition

A well-balanced, healthy vegan diet helps provide enough nutritional intake.

Taking B12, multivitamins, and vegan omega 3 capsules are recommended at the start of your vegan journey.

It is only a precaution until you get used to eating entirely plant-based and understand how to get all of the nutrients you need easily.

It doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming to learn more about nutrition.

You can read a few vegan nutrition articles and make some notes. You’ll be able to tell which foods have the nutrients you need.

  1. Don’t be discouraged
Become A Vegan

Changing your diet is a huge step, and you’re doing an amazing thing! It’s only normal that there would be times when everything feels too much, or you fall off the wagon.

If this happens to me, there are a few things I do to keep on track. It might also work for you!

First and foremost, take a deep breath, and don’t be too hard on yourself! Keep in mind why you went vegan in the first place. It is good to reflect on your motivations.

You can also go out to eat and unwind. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but having some great vegan food that you didn’t have to cook can relieve stress.

You did amazing, even though you can’t do everything perfectly from the start. In time, you’ll be a vegan for years. Just enjoy the process.

How To Deal With Friends Who Are Not Vegan?

Become A Vegan with family

Vegans have a reputation for being preachy and borderline brainwashing. But, not all vegans are the same.

Convincing your family and friends to try veganism can be difficult. I know you care deeply about animals and the environment. I am too. However, forcing your interest on others and obsessing over it isn’t a good look.

Just because you’re passionate about something and feel it to be a healthier way of eating doesn’t mean everyone has to agree. And that’s okay!

If they show interest in what you’re eating, give them a taste. I do this to my friends and family. And it often changes their minds about what vegan food is and tastes like.

Just don’t push it on too much to everyone. If they want it, they will give it a try.

People Also Ask

How hard is it really to become vegan?

If you ask almost any vegan, they will tell you that the switch was far easier than expected. Even though going vegan can seem challenging now, you’ll be surprised by how simple it is, especially if you take the time to read this post.

Where do vegans get their protein?

Protein is a major concern for many people who are considering going vegan. Eggs and meat are said to be the best and most convenient protein sources. But for vegans, tofu, tempeh, seitan, lentils, chickpeas, beans, almonds, and seeds are great vegan protein sources.

Will I lose weight as a vegan?

Vegans can lose weight quickly when they eat an entirely plant-based diet. Eating food in its natural, unprocessed forms, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds, can easily make you lose weight.

Conclusion

There is no right or wrong way to go vegan. You can be vegan whatever culture you have.

You can use foods you already know and love. And even use plant-based products that taste like meat and dairy.

When you go vegan, you don’t have to feel like you’re sacrificing anything. You might find that you’re more willing to try new things!

And my recent discovery is pizza for vegans! I recently subscribed to pizza of the month, which offers the best plant-based pizza!

If you also want to try the Keto diet, you need to know about what is keto diet.

What is your favorite vegan food? Please let me know in the comments section. I’d like to give it a try!