Happy 2024! Happy Veganuary! The new year can be a good time to start a new adventure. GO VEG! Have you noticed adding two more letters to 'GO VEG-AN' seems to make the adventure appear a bit more overwhelming. But with every conscious decision that leads to a GO VEG diet, it makes a positive difference for you and the environment.
GO VEG ... could lead to a 'Vegetarian pathway', especially starting out. You get more comfortable eating more fruits and veggies and plant-based options. Discovering and trying new things, with an open mind, makes the adventure more yummy fun to GO-VEG-AN.
GO VEG diet things to know:
GO VEGetarian diet focuses on plants for food. These include fruits, veggies, dried beans and peas, grains, seeds and nuts. It's basically a regular diet, leaving out eating animal body parts / meat.
GO VEGan diet is usually defined by what is not eaten: Meat, fish, eggs, dairy, plus animal ingredients hiden in products like whey (from milk) and gelatin (animal bones). When starting out, the positive way of looking at a vegan diet is looking into all the foods vegans do eat. Plant-based versions are eaten as the alternative. Many times a vegan meal looks and tastes like a non-vegan meal. The vegan diet helps eliminate harm to animals, and has low impact on the environment.
10 helpful tips to get started on a GO VEG adventure!
1 Plan ahead
Don't start without planning what to eat. Plan meals and snacks for a day ... moving towards weekly planning. No Meat Monday! Eat a plant-based burger! Go for an oat creamer in coffee. Keep including the change each day while adding others to things you eat and drink often. You are more likely to stick with something that is routine, and that you enjoy.
2 Look for accidental GO VEG foods you already eat
Pasta. rice, peanut butter, most breads, tomatoes, beans, jam and jelly, marinara, chips, crackers, cookies, herbs and spices, soups tea, coffee, juices. It's possible half the foods you already eat are GO VEG friendly!
3 Ease into GO VEG
Don't change the types of foods you eat. Enjoy ice cream trying alternative tasty versions that are GO VEG friendly! The same with milks and yogurts. Craving a burger-try a plant-based version.
4 Veganize / GO VEG your favorite dishes
Curries, casseroles, soups, stews, chilis, stir-fry, desserts ... GO VEG 'em!
Switch out an ingredient for an alternative one. Use oat milk rather than milk. Use meatless crumbles / plant-based alternatives for meats in casseroles.
5 When YOU are ready ... Branch Out!
Try new things! You'll discover new ingredients, foods and recipes to try.
6 Keep Go VEG Snacks Handy
There are many choices, but not always where you might be at the time. Nuts, chocolate, fruit, granola ... grab things you enjoy that stick with a GO VEG diet.
7 Persistence Pays
You won't like all vegan products. The first GO VEG try, could be a big NO! Remember, there's no such thing as one and done. Try different types and variations. Discover what you enjoy, and what you don't.
8 Find Your Tribe
GO VEG is more fun doing it with like-minded people. Include your family. Find local businesses that fit a GO VEG lifestyle. GO VEG / Austin Guide
9 Be Kind to Yourself (& others)
You eat something that isn't GO VEG friendly ... or can't resist the bacon. Switch out for the alternative your next meal /snack. It can be a big change to GO VEG! Don't be discouraged. Take baby steps. Celebrate each GO VEG 2024 victory!
10 HappyCow
Download the HappyCow app. Find restaurants and shopping to make it easier to GO VEG! Do 1 Thing Together! GO VEG ATX!
Celebrity Supporters who GO VEG-AN
Healthier GO VEG choices
Restaurant GO VEG choices
What to do when shopping
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