How to Convert to a Vegan Diet in 6 Easy Steps
Congratulations on considering a switch to a vegan diet. If you have gotten this far in your conversion, you already understand the benefits of the vegan/vegetarian diet, so I will leave that discussion for another article. While many are able to simply flip a switch and assume a new life, following are some simple guidelines to assist the rest of us.
1. Write a list of the benefits that you expect to accomplish with your new diet. Many convert to vegan/vegetarian diets for health or weight loss reasons. Others do so to reduce their impact on the environment or to detach themselves from the unethical slaughtering of animals that is implicit in the meat industry. Yet others, like myself, convert due to philosophical reasons or because they simply feel more “right with the world” as a vegan/vegetarian. Whatever your reason, get in touch with the new you.
2. Recognize that some compromises will have to be made. The food you eat will likely be different from the food that many of your family, friends and close colleagues will eat. Prepare yourself to explain that your conversion is important to you and that you will not judge them, nor do you expect to be judged by them.
3. Many find that getting comfortable on a lacto-ovo (including dairy and egg food items) vegetarian diet for a few months helps before the full conversion to a vegan diet is helpful. Be prepared to lose a few pounds of bodyweight while you experiment with new foods. If you have already gotten used to tofu and other soy products such as temper and textured vegetable protein (TVP), you are ahead of the game. If not, don’t fear; you will find that these products (they are readily available in health food and large grocery stores) can be made to closely resemble and taste like their meat counterparts, reducing the change you will have to experience. Read more
Cooking vegetarian food using a crockpot is a great idea because the time taken to cook is surprisingly low and the food prepared is both deliciously yummy and nutritious! Vegetarian crockpot recipes have enhanced flavors as compared to ordinary oven-cooked dishes because it is cooked on simmering heat with a lid to cover the pot that helps to keep the flavors and nutrients intact. You can try the following simple vegetarian crockpot recipes to please your loved ones.