It’s been an epic disaster for the meat industry this week. Bacon and cancer in one sentence put the internet on fire.
Rising above all the bacon flying grease, the incredibly swoon-worthy and suave Liam Hemsworth has gone vegan. Million dollar question:
How do vegans possibly do it?
Being a vegetarian, I have often grappled with this question. I want to quit eating animal by-products as well, but I just can’t imagine making it work. I even became a vegan for two days, only to realise that I’m not ready for that kind of commitment.
If you are on the fence, just considering to peace out with meat and dairy, like the adorable Liam, let me tell you this extreme lifestyle is not exactly easy.
Scroll down for some basics:
Things to Know Before Turning Vegan
Vegan is not vegetarian.
Far from it. Besides meat, fish and poultry, vegans don’t eat any animal products as well as by-products, like, dairy, honey, egg, milk, butter, cheese, etc. You also need to ditch leather, fur, silk and regular cosmetics.
Tough, I say. But keep in mind:
Veganism prevents heart disease.
A study published in medical journal JAMA in 2014 found that a plant-based diet cuts the risk of heart diseases by a massive 45%.
You can’t turn vegan in a day: If you plan to stick to veganism, and it’s not a seasonal trend or a cult for you, then the transition will have to be planned gradually. Take it one step at a time. If you’re vegetarian, then the transition will be smoother. But in any case, make one dietary change at a time.
Being vegan will be more expensive: You might think meat is the most expensive item you buy in a grocery store, but if you replace all that with vegetables and supplements (yes, many people are advised vitamin supplements on a vegan diet), then you’ll be breaking some serious coin.
You will slip up, but don’t let that derail you: Lapses are expected because you’re trying something extreme, and during moments when you feel like letting go, remind yourself why you started in the first place (clichéd but true).
You will need the vitamins: Eating a plant-based diet can improve your intake of foliates and vitamin C, but you have to pop in vitamin B12; that is non-negotiable. So sit with your doctor and chalk out a plan. B12 occurs naturally only in animal foods so vegetarians and vegans have a high chance of developing a deficiency.
The joke will never end: So get used to them, and understand that they don’t necessarily indicate lack of respect.
If You Want to, Go For It!
This friend of mine who is a vegan is bored out of her wits when people ask how do you get proteins? It’s like no one cares about your protein intake until they discover you are a vegan. This one time at a party, an uncle of hers got a single leaf of lettuce on a plate and announced to everyone, “Hey look, I got dinner for Leo!” (Okay, this one is funny)
But as a vegan, get used to the silliness.
Are you a vegan or have tried being one? Tell us what your learnings in the comment box below.
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