Veganism isn’t just a diet change, it can be a lifestyle change too. When transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, there are lots of different factors to consider, from your diet to your makeup and from your wardrobe to the supplements you take.
This can be a really fun challenge to embrace to kick off the new year, so check out our easy vegan lifestyle swap ideas.
1. Find a Meat Substitute
One of the main reasons people rule out trying Veganuary is because they’re meat lovers. But there are many meat alternatives that are just as delicious and have a similarly high protein content, and less fat in some cases.
Swap mince for lentils; when cooked with the same herbs and spices, lentils taste just as good as mince and they’re a much cheaper substitute! A good source of vegan protein, fibre and iron, lentils are a great alternative that can be used in your chillies, tacos and lasagnes.
Another great swap is to switch your usual beef burgers for bean-based patties. Black beans have a meat-like consistency and are high in both protein and fibre to help keep you feeling full.
2. Explore Protein Alternatives
A common vegan myth is that vegans lack protein, but there are actually lots of different tasty ways for vegans to get their protein fix:
Swap scrambled eggs for scrambled tofu - it’s very similar in both taste and texture, and contains roughly the same amount of protein. Try scrambling your tofu with tomatoes, mushrooms, herbs and spices
Beans and soy can be great alternatives to protein that would normally be consumed through meat
Vegan protein supplements are a handy option for people worried about a low protein intake. Garden of Life’s Raw Organic Protein Powders are vegan-friendly, made from a variety of whole food ingredients and available in a range of different flavours.
3. Vegan-Friendly Calcium
Dairy is many people’s main source of calcium, so vegans need to find a good alternative to continue to experience its benefits, which include helping to support bones and teeth.
Vegan-friendly calcium sources include:
- Kale
- Chia seeds
- Almonds
- Tofu
- Organics Plant Calcium Tablets from Garden of Life - a whole food nutrient blend featuring 20 powdered fruits and vegetables, alongside vegan vitamin D3 and vitamin K2
4. Vegan Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids also play a key role in supporting health and wellbeing. Oily fish and fish oil supplements are typically the main sources, but MINAMI has an algae-based alternative, VeganDHA.
This formula contains the omega-3 essential fatty acid DHA, known to play a role in supporting normal brain function and normal vision. These vegan-friendly supplements also contain astaxanthin, a carotenoid found in algae, one of the most powerful antioxidants in nature. VeganDHA can be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
5. Vegan Cosmetics
More and more cosmetic brands have started to become vegan-friendly.
Vegan beauty products not only mean they’re not tested on animals, but that they include no animal-derived ingredients. Always look for a certified vegan label on packaging to be sure.
6. Discover Your New Favourite Vegan-Friendly Restaurant
Even just a few years ago, eating out or ordering a takeaway as a vegan could be a challenge. However, so many brilliant vegan restaurants have started to crop up, while most chain restaurants now also offer a vegan menu. From Greggs’ vegan sausage roll to Nando’s vegan ‘PERInaise’, there are now some excellent plant-based alternatives at your fave eateries.
7. Create a Vegan Wardrobe
Lots of fashion brands are shunning fur and leather for more sustainable and ethical vegan alternatives. You can even shop for vegan versions of many shoe brands, which are using plant-based alternatives to traditional leather.
Consider swapping wool for organic cotton or linen too; not only are these vegan-friendly options, but they can feel softer and more comfortable on the skin too. You can now even buy clothing made from soy fabric or ‘vegan cashmere’ too.
Find out more about the vitamins you need to keep your body healthy:
Discover Vitamins for the Whole Family
Shop vitamin supplements for men, women and kids at Every Health.
