Dear Readers,
Maybe you’re a veteran vegan, or even a beginner, looking to reap and uncover the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. Before I elaborate on the advantages, I would like to stress that veganism is more than just a diet; instead, it is a lifestyle (or stance) against injustice. In most industries, animals are commodified to satisfy our desires, and this relationship could not be further from mutualism, as it is often painted to be. The vegan lifestyle excludes all animal-derived products and sourced goods. But don’t get it twisted, the vegan “diet” is by no means restrictive, and in many cases, proves absolutely abundant. So, you may be asking yourself, through the “exclusionary” nature of veganism, how could one become both happy and healthy? I will answer this question to the best of my abilities 😊. I will divide this article into two sections: dietary and mental health. Feel free to utilize my contact form for any questions or suggestions.
Dietary health:
Prioritize nutrition knowledge. Start by exploring my resources below. Nutrition is all about choosing foods that make the most sense for our bodies (neither too restrictive nor excessive). After learning about nutrition, I prioritized my protein sources and selected foods that make me feel my best.
Nutrition.gov
EatRight.org
Consider seeing a registered dietitian-nutritionist (RD)
Plan ahead. When I mention “plan ahead,” I don’t mean the Pinterest-esque rice and salad combos, but keeping options in the household for breakfast, school, and even dinner. For instance, I love to keep fig bars in my backpack for whenever I get hungry or need a pick-me-up.
Select a favored method of movement. I find my favorite type of exercise changes by the month. Whether it’s running, walking, or something else you may enjoy, I encourage you to reap the aerobic and mental health benefits of daily exercise.
A mindset of dietary substitution versus restriction. By selecting foods that make you feel your best and finding substitutions as you please, you can seamlessly transition to your vegan lifestyle.
Remove expectations from your lifestyle. As I write this, I intend that readers ditch an “all or nothing” mentality going into their veganism. This way, as they transition and substitute, the “diet” proves more sustainable.
Mental health:
Practice self-care. Animal activism can feel empowering and exciting and carries its moments of stagnation or defeat. It is crucial to prioritize ourselves through peak and trough. This way, we can emerge as the animal activists we never knew we could be.
Take breaks. This point supplements the previous, but they are not always one-with-one. However long or short, I would recommend taking breaks to improve your mental health and possibly familiarize yourself with new or empowering movements within your local animal rights chapter.
Find a supportive community. Whether your community stems from vegan friends or supportive family members, having a supportive community ensures sustainability for the future and betters your mental health.
The “transition foods” remark is baseless. I have noticed this remark often tossed through YouTube, Reddit, etc. This term refers to substitute vegan foods, such as vegan cheeses or protein options. A vegan lifestyle, regardless of composition, is incredibly impactful. Don’t let others make you feel ostracized or uncomfortable in a movement as inclusive as veganism.
In sum, I would like to thank all of you for reading this article. I truly appreciate your eyes and ears in uplifting and amplifying the voices of our animal activism.
Until tomorrow,
Jessica
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