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Building Strong Habits to Eat Healthfully
When introducing such drastic changes to our lives, as changing the core dietary habits and lifestyle by going vegan, it may seem difficult to cope with changes. There may be multiple challenges people that try to change diet can face. Among those are social pressure, lack of knowledge, availability issues, or even drawbacks to the comforting foods we knew and loved for so long.
It may all seem overwhelming. Luckily, there are several proven ways we can deal with the changes, so transition becomes as smooth as it possibly can.
Focus on Identity vs. Result
Why did you choose to follow the vegan lifestyle? What was the reason you decided to make such a drastic change?
Knowing and reminding yourself of the “why’s” is essential to sustaining changes you implement in life.
Regardless of your driver for change, tying this choice to your identity vs. focusing on the end result will make a huge difference.
If connected to your values, it will be easier to stick to resolutions in a challenging situation. Return to your “why” every time in doubt or have difficulty sticking to your resolution.
Make the change small and stick to it daily
If you find it challenging to make a drastic change in your diet, start with small steps. Instead of cutting out all animal products from your meals, and keeping what’s left, take a proactive approach to this topic:
- Take a look at your usual meals and think about how you could change them to a vegan version
- Research new easy, quick, and filling recipe ideas to add to your go-to recipe list, create a meal plan upfront.
Take one easy step at a time, and make sure to stick to it every day. Once you are confident about your habit, take the next step towards a sustainable vegan lifestyle. Make sure not to overwhelm yourself with too much change to deal with at once.
Example of step by step change plan:
- Identify your usual daily/weekly meals and spot animal products included in those meals;
- Replace animal products with plant-based alternatives (e.g., milk to plant-based milk, prepare ‘meaty” meals with soy meat, get plant-based burgers and sausages, and give a try to vegan cheeses);
- Start introducing more plant-based products to your meals. Focus on getting plant sources of protein (e.g., beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, tofu, etc.) while researching new vegan recipes. Check out our simple and delicious vegan recipe here).
Create a friendly environment
The environment plays a massive role in forming our habits and decisions every day. We may not always recognize the power it has over our lives. So do a favor to yourself by creating an environment around you that supports your change. You will be surprised how much easier it will become to choose the right thing.
Firstly, start by simply changing what’s in your fridge and pantry to plant-based foods, focusing on whole foods. Secondly, discover new delicious recipes and cook at home. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available today, including vegan food blogs, youtube, and Instagram feed, as well as lots of cookbooks!). Finally, surround yourself with people that support your change. Whenever eating out, research if the venue has veg options. You can also carry with you some nuts as a quick reach-to snack in case you find yourself starving on the go.
These minor tweaks will make the change long-lasting and easier to stick with.
Check out more guides on a healthy and balanced lifestyle we’ve got for you.