Three Tips for Transitioning to a Plant-Based Diet
I'm excited to have Rebecca Gilbert of Yummy Plants share her top three tips to transitioning to a plant-based diet. If you don't know Rebecca, get to know her. She's awesome! And you can buy her book - It’s Easy to Start Eating Vegan!
Decide you want to do it!
Once you make a firm decision that you want to start making these positive changes in your life (for your health, for the animals and for the planet!), you’ll see just how easy it is to make the switch.Suddenly yummy vegan recipes will catch your eye and you’ll eagerly watch for new vegan products like ice cream, cheeses and mock meats. As you begin the adventure of preparing old favorites in a new way, you’ll see how easy it is to eat plant-based foods and how many choices you really have.It all starts when you make a decision that you’re ready to start the journey.
Know what you like to eat and stock your pantry accordingly.
Make the transition as easy for yourself as possible. Know what you like to eat and make sure to have vegan equivalents on-hand. Is Wednesday night always pizza night? Pick up a vegan frozen pizza from Daiya or Amy’s Kitchen so you’ll be ready to carry on the tradition. Do you like to grill out with friends in the summer? Beyond Meat and Follow Your Heart have you covered with the Beast Burgers and vegan cheese that actually melts!These days there is a vegan version of every product you can imagine. Make a list of your favorites and stock up. If you live in a small town, Vegan Essentials is an online store that carries many vegan food products. If they don’t have it, you can likely find it on Amazon as well.
Make it fun
The best things in life are about the journey, not the endpoint. Seek out others who are also making these positive changes in their lives towards a more plant-based, healthy lifestyle. Search for a vegan meetup in your area or a vegetarian club. Community counts. Having other like-minded people in your life, whether newbies or experienced vegans, will give you a chance to experiment with recipes, share tips, and enjoy this new path in your life.Whether you make the switch cold Tofurky or make small swaps in baby steps, you can do this!Wishing you radiant health and an abundance of all good things!Rebecca GilbertAuthor, It’s Easy to Start Eating Vegan!Founder, yummyplants.comAre you ready to make the switch? For more tips about vegan protein sources, how to stock your pantry, how to stay vegan in social situations and some easy vegan recipes, check out Rebecca’s book It’s Easy to Start Eating Vegan!Rebecca Gilbert is a former competitive figure skater whose switch to a vegan diet healed her chronic joint pain. Rebecca has been a featured speaker at the NYC Vegetarian Food Festival, Portland Vegfest, Vegetarian Summerfest, and Paris Vegan Day. She has made several television appearances on Pittsburgh Today Live.