Published by Programme B
Whether you’re going vegan because of personal beliefs or because you simply want to give it a try for health-related issues, sticking to a vegan diet during the initial stages of your decision can be a difficult process. This is especially hard for those who love meat and are used to including it in their daily meal plans. However, don’t fret anymore because we’ve come up with a list of 3 fool-proof ways you can overcome your meat and dairy cravings and stick to your decision to be a vegan. Let’s get started.
1. Have a Varied Meal Plan
It’s hard enough on regular days to enjoy your meals if you only make the same food every day. One of the leading reasons for obesity is because people become hooked on fast food due to their lack of interest in homemade meals. To avoid feeling depressed or annoyed with your new diet plan, it’s a good idea to go the extra mile and make each meal a little special by adding something new and different you may have never tasted before. For example, instead of meal-prepping the same boiled rice and vegetables for lunch every day (even though it’s easier), try adding another dish to the menu such as soy bacon, tofu, paneer, or fake meat to make the dish more suitable for your taste palette.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with new ingredients, as there are hundreds of new vegan products being introduced in the market each month and you may end up finding something you love even more than meat. Also, make sure you invest in vegan desserts to reward yourself at the end of every meal for having stuck to your resolution. Constant and positive reinforcement will automatically train your brain to function differently and accept things it may have initially disliked or hated.
If all else fails, you can always order amazing food through vegan meal delivery and just relax and enjoy a healthy meal!
2. Eat Healthy
Going vegan can be a tough decision because you’re going to have to spend extra to make sure you get all the nutrients that your body requires to function normally. If your body feels deficit in any way, it’ll automatically make you feel more tempted to return to your previous lifestyle. Instead, make sure you invest in a well-rounded meal plan that includes all the nutrients, especially proteins, to keep you healthy and fit. You will also have to include additional supplements to make sure your body receives the right amount of protein, but be sure to not add an excess of any amount to your meals.
3. Ease Into It
Lastly, one thing to keep in mind is that big changes don’t happen overnight. It’s a good idea to take your time and ease into the diet if you’re just beginning. Instead of cutting out all meat and dairy products at one go, reduce it to a few times a week, to just once, to none at all, as this will make the change less drastic and immediate, giving your system enough time to get accustomed to the new diet too.
Also, while you might be trying to lead a healthier diet as a whole by adapting to a vegan lifestyle, make sure you’re easy on yourselves. Allow yourself to have cheat days every once in a while when you’re desperately craving to go back to your old food habits. By cheat days, we don’t mean you go back to meat and dairy, we just mean that you treat yourself to some vegan goodies that may not be the healthiest but can certainly quench some of your cravings.
Any habit takes time to build and follow, and going vegan is also a habit that needs to be developed over time. We hope you found our tips useful and enlightening!
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