Veganism
By Zainab Jaffry
FAQs
Q: What is veganism?
A: It is a type of lifestyle that is 100% cruelty free. On the dietary spectrum, it excludes meat, dairy, fish, eggs, and any food made with animal product. Being a vegan also means avoiding any products or merchandise made from animals such as wool, leather, or furs. There are different levels of veganism, as there are with any sort of lifestyle.
Q: How do I become a vegan?
A: First, educate yourself. Watch documentaries, read books and articles, etc. Once you’ve decided on veganism, take it slow. If you are a heavy meat eater, maybe transition to vegetarianism before you get into veganism, as that will be easier for you. In any case, you should take a few things out of your diet about every week or so, until you have rid your eating habits of meat and dairy completely. This will take time because not everyone can just go full-on vegan overnight, which is definitely okay.
Q: What if I cheat?
A: That’s totally fine once in a while, especially while you’re transitioning. Soon those cravings will be replaced with healthier, vegan options. It’s not always the healthiest choice to cut out all meat and dairy from your diet all at once anyway. Try not to be discouraged even if you slip up every now and then.
Q: How will I replace the things I eat/drink daily?
A: Becoming vegan is easier than you may think. Although there are some obvious things you may have to abstain from eating, there are loads of substitutes and non-dairy vegan alternatives out there to choose from, as well as tons of simple recipes online.
Q: Will going vegan help me lose weight?
A: Weight loss is not the reason you should go vegan. The main reason people decide to make this lifestyle change is because of animal cruelty in the meat and dairy industry, which is also destroying the environment. Another genuine reason people choose to go vegan is for the health benefits, as animal products have been proven to put you at risk for various diseases, including cancer, and the biggest killer in America: heart disease.
Q: How do I stay committed once I become a vegan?
A: Read books about veganism, positivity, and surround yourself with things that motivate you to do the right thing. Follow instagram accounts that post vegan dishes, go to vegan restaurants, try new foods, and be open. Remember why you are vegan and how much of a positive difference you are making. No matter how alone you might feel, you never are.
Q: Is anybody else in your family vegan?
A: No, just me. Everyone in my family and pretty much all the people I know, on a personal level, are omnivores.
Q: What made you interested in veganism?
A: I always felt as though I disconnected the animal from the food, whatever that particular food may be. This really got to me when I took the time to really comprehend how horribly animals are treated and how widely spread and accepted cruelty is throughout the world. Also, knowing what I put into my body is important to me. As well as the health benefits, everything seemed to lead me back to the same thing: becoming the change I want to see in the world.
Books that I recommend:
Vegan for Life by Jack Norris
Easy Vegan Meals by various authors
Thrive by Brendan Brazier
Documentaries that I recommend:
Forks Over Knives
Vegucated
Food, Inc.
Some links to get started + Recipes:
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/healthy-meals/easy-vegan-recipes
No comments:
Post a Comment