Thinking of going vegan for a month?

Up until 20-30 years ago, most people had no idea what it meant to be vegan. In the past decade, however, there’s been a huge uptick in information and research regarding the potential benefits of eliminating meat and dairy products from the human diet. Today, there are a growing number of people who are considering trying out veganism. If you fall into this category, there are a few things to think about before you take the leap.

Because it is such a major shift in diet, you might be tempted to think about only going vegan for a month in order to make the idea feel less intimidating. While it may seem like a no-brainer, especially if you already don’t eat much meat, your best chance of lasting success is to go about this process in a slower, more deliberate manner. Dropping meat from your diet is the easy part; adjusting to the lifestyle of veganism is a bit more complicated.

“I’m going to try being a vegan for a month” doesn’t work

Before you do anything, spend some time studying recipes and learning how to get all the nutrients you need without animal products. Even once you start putting the dietary changes into place, many doctors and nutritionists recommend that you go slowly which most likely means you’ll need more than 30 days to make the adjustment.

Your digestive system is used to eating a certain way, and when you switch to a plant-based diet, it’s important to recognize that there will be some body changes. Some of them quite positive, like the fact that you may lose weight because meat and dairy products tend to contain more fat and calories than vegetables and whole grains. Since these foods also move through your digestive system more quickly, you may feel less bloated and have more energy.

Drastic changes in diet can occasionally have the opposite effect as well causing gas and cramping. The key to avoiding these side effects of going vegan cold turkey is take a more gradual approach.

What you need to know about going vegan

Take your time to learn about your new lifestyle choice. Reach out to vegan friends for support, and do some research and meal planning before you start. The best way to get all the vitamins and minerals you need is through healthy food choices. As with any diet, however, there are a few common deficiencies that often go along with veganism. For example, it’s difficult to get enough B12 through plant products alone which is why you may want to consider adding a good quality B12 supplement like Vitamin B12 Chewable Tablets from Vegan Life Nutrition.

With careful planning and patience, you can change how you eat and how you feel by switching to a vegan diet.