It’s about 18 months since I decided to try following a vegan food lifestyle. When I gave up meat 15 years ago, I still remember exactly why and it happened overnight. But I really can’t recall why I transitioned to vegan, other than it was most likely to do with my love of animals. Has it been easy? No. Did I slip up from time to time? Yes. Is there anything I still miss? Not really. It beggars belief but even my Costa hot chocolate addiction now tastes better using soy milk than dairy milk, goddamnit!
There’s so much advice I could share about trying to be plant-based. Such as you’ll need to try every single brand of plant-milk and plant-dairy. Such as you can’t try vegan cheese just once before claiming that you don’t like it. But the biggest piece of advice I can give is that if you’re trying veganism with an expectancy to lose weight, SLAP YOURSELF IN THE FACE IMMEDIATELY AND FORGET IT.
Yes, veganism can be healthier. But it’s also possible to be fit and healthy as a meat-eater. Just search for the hashtag #accidentallyvegan on Instagram to find all the very delectable and naughty things you can still eat. Like Oreos. Chocolate chip hobnobs. Crisps. Chips. Booze. There is the most amazing vegan junk food movement with burgers bigger than a house which taste better than the real deal. Vegan mac ‘n’ cheese. Vegan cheese steak sandwiches. Vegan ice cream. You name it, the waistband can expand it.
If anything, I’d say my own weight has been quite up and down. I still feel like there are so many exciting things happening in the world of vegan food that I want to try it all and right now. There are dedicated markets and cafes all over London and I even have a separate Instagram account where I only follow other vegans which make me want to eat all the food as soon as I see it. I’ve realised now that the naughty food has to be for treats just like it was when I was still eating meat.
So if it’s not about weight loss then what’s the point? Well the point is several: because you love animals and think that they deserve a little care (ever stopped to think how weird it is that you love your dog but eat a pig? That’s completely messed up). Because you love the planet and want to protect it for future generations. The war against plastic is one thing, but it’s an absolute dip in the ocean compared to how much damage is caused by animal agriculture. Or maybe because you are looking after your health, to a certain extent. There are so many studies out there to show how much we don’t need meat and dairy and protein is in abundance in so many other plant foods.
I’m still definitely at the point where I need to focus more on home cooking to balance out all the cheeky goodies but let me just say this – being vegan is nothing to do with clean-eating or boring food or restriction. Take a look at this little lot and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Flavours are always insane and you can recreate just about anything. Try using soya mince to make a chilli or spaghetti and serve it to your non-the-wiser guests. I guarantee no-one will be disappointed.
Have you ever tried more plant-based food? What would you miss the most if you became vegan?
Follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter
This indeed all looks delicious. I could quite happily be vegetarian when left to my own devices, but my husband could not, so I cook meat for him. However, definitely going to see if I can pass soya mince off as the real deal as I already switched to turkey and he didn’t notice! I have been feeling uncomfortable with the ethical and environmental implications of mass meat consumption for a long time. I have to say however that having grown up on a farm, I am comfortable with home-reared meat. I know that might seem odd to some given that I also profess to love animals, but I believe there is a huge difference between a few pigs grown for the family to eat in a big field where they can roam free, and factory-farmed. I have a feeling I may regret posting this comment, but I am going to anyway! x
Author
Ahh yes Anna! When we were still eating eggs (lots of eggs, that is one thing I do miss) we did have very real conversations about the feasibility of keeping chickens and then using their eggs. That would always be my preference, and also I think it’s perfectly possible to make a difference in some small way without going all out – for example, only eating home-reared meat is better than mass produced and things like that should always be applauded. The very staunch vegans are all about not even eating things like honey (which is fine for me because I don’t like the stuff) but apparently it’s not the bees choice whether the honey is taken from them so it should be left alone! That’s just taking it to the next level if you ask me! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment X