When you decide to make the switch to a vegan diet, it can feel like stepping into a whole new world. The ingredients may be unfamiliar and it’s common to face unexpected challenges. It’s also common to face way more chickpeas, greens, whole grains, and nuts than you ever thought you would.
It can be tough to go vegan, especially if you are going it alone. That is especially true if you are the primary cook in the family and have to prepare other non-vegan foods for others. It’s possible for your family to react with confusion or even resentment, but it’s a commendable dietary change. That’s especially true if you make the shift for health reasons. Going vegan is not always about taking the moral high ground.
All of that said, there are some common mistakes that people make when switching to the vegan diet. Continue reading to understand what to watch out for when you go vegan. We hope the information helps you during this major transition.
Lacking Strong Motivation
Approaching the vegan diet like a new diet is actually a mistake. The reason that many people stick with their vegan diets for so long is because their motivation is rooted in values and ethics. Some people make the switch because they no longer want to support mass animal farming, which is perfectly understandable. Perhaps your motivation is to avoid certain illnesses that run in your family. Be it climate crisis, personal health, or the mistreatment of animals, find your reason and let that be your guiding light.
Buying Foods Without Reading Ingredient Lists
There are many foods that seem vegan, but are actually not. For example, it’s possible for chips to have chicken powder or salad dressing to have milk powder or eggs. Some sugar may even be processed with bone char, which manufacturers use during the refining process to whiten sugar. Even non-dairy creamers can contain small amounts (less than 2%) of sodium caseinate, a milk-derived product. Do your research and always read ingredient labels to avoid slipping up on your new diet.
Believing Food Is Healthy Just Because It’s Vegan
There are many unhealthy foods that are technically vegan, such as French fries, Oreos, some sour candies, faux meats, pasta, bread and more. Just because it is vegan doesn’t mean it is healthy. You could consider yourself a vegan if you only eat fries, pasta, and Beyond burgers. If you made the shift to veganism for health reasons, focus your efforts on balancing those unhealthy vegan foods with an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Don’t let a food’s vegan label make you think that it is healthy!
Relying On Faux Meats
It is true that many fast food restaurants and other establishments have vegan burgers or options on their menus. If you are used to eating chicken and rice or meat and potatoes for dinner, it can be tricky to have veggie-centric meals all the time. Faux meats qualify as vegan, but they are lab-generated and full of processed ingredients. Sure, they can fill you up, but there are many problems with those foods. There is an abundance of incredibly delicious meal options that a vegan diet offers. Don’t be afraid to look at mealtime through a different lens. Get inspiration from social media or different websites and experiment!
Not Having Fun With Food
Do not fall into a rut of making the same thing over and over again just because you know it is vegan. You have to keep your taste buds interested, so treat cooking as a creative exercise. Experiment with different spices, explore different cuisines, and try new recipes. Going vegan is not about deprivation, but about discovery. If you avoid the common mistakes in this article, then you will find that your new lifestyle can be as joyful as it is nourishing.
And if you need a little assistance with your dietary transition, consider our Going Vegan 20-day Challenge (click here for more information). It has nutrients that support your transition into veganism. It may be more helpful than you realize!
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
