Indeed, going vegan can initially be a challenge. Most folks hear the term “vegan” and associate it with granola, kale smoothies, and a tofu diet. In reality, veganism is a lifestyle. It is a belief system, and way of eating that aims to eliminate the exploitation of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. Simply put, veganism means not eating animals or animal products. Although that may seem simple, veganism is far from a black-and-white issue. Vegans can have a wide variety of diets, from nuts and pulses to vegan junk food. They do not eat fish, eggs, and dairy. Everything, in short, does not come from the animal world.

Here Are the Tips to Overcome the Challenges of Going Vegan

Avoid using a diet book

Going vegan makes it easy to get discouraged when you do not see results immediately. When people go vegan, the initial phase is where the most significant number of barriers arise, and they are most likely to give up. Going vegan and stepping away from meat and dairy products is a meaningful change, so sometimes, it can be challenging.

Stick to whole, unprocessed foods

Going vegan can be a momentous change. But if you stick with it, it can be hugely rewarding. Going vegan can be a great way to lose weight, improve your health, and decrease your carbon footprint. But like any new transition, there are some initial challenges to overcome, and the biggest one is staying on track. While going vegan can be a significant change, it does not have to be permanent—and it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Make an effort to consume a variety of foods.

Going vegan was not always easy for me, and it won’t have been easy for others. It can be a little jarring when you first wake up in the morning and are not expecting to eat meat, fish, or dairy. I felt extremely hungry the first couple weeks and even cheated twice (once for breakfast and once for a snack). But one important thing to remember is that animal products are unnatural. Whether you were previously eating meat, fish, or dairy, your body has adapted to it, and it will be hard to embrace veganism fully to begin with.

Make an effort to cook new foods.

Going vegan is a big step, even for seasoned vegans. It requires a lot of planning and research, and it is a tremendous help if you start preparing in advance. After reading up on vegan cookbooks, going to vegan potlucks, and ordering vegan snacks from online sellers, you will be ready to take the leap.

Do not give up after trying one or two new foods.

Going vegan is a big step. You are taking a major step away from animal. You are making a commitment to your health, not just your body, but the health of the planet and animals. But going vegan is not just about what you eat but thinking differently about what you are eating.

Avoid cooking from packaged and processed foods.

Going vegan can be a wonderful way to shed a few pounds but trust me: it is not going to be easy at first. Going vegan means giving up many of the foods you eat most regularly, which can be challenging. But there are some ways to make it easier. For example, start by stocking up on some frozen vegan dinner meals. They will have the same flavors you know and love but will be meat-free. And if you are worried about starting with a ton of vegan recipes that require you to cook from scratch, I suggest investing in some premade vegan ingredients. Vegan frozen meals make it easy to prepare meals with zero effort, while vegan protein bars make tasty “grab-and-go” snacks.

The stigma of veganism is partly due to the fact that many people associate veganism strictly with weight loss. When a vegan diet is followed strictly, people on a diet must eat enough calories to adequately sustain themselves, which is sometimes difficult to accomplish, especially for those who are at a caloric deficit. This, in turn, can lead to some people experiencing initial challenges when going to vegans, such as their fluctuating weight and the fear of not having enough energy to exercise. But, with the right approach, anyone can overcome these challenges.