Lifestyle

First-Time Vegan? Here’s Our Top 10 Tips for Going Vegan

Over 629,000 people took part in Veganuary last year, 83% of which have pledged to make permanent changes to their diet as a result. 98% of people that took part would recommend Veganuary to others, with half of the people finding benefit from taking part. Not sure where to start with going vegan? Check out the tips below to make that transition easier.

Why Do People Go Vegan?  

Animal welfare is perhaps the most common reason that people choose to go vegan; the more people that remove animal products from their diet, the less demand there is for these products and hopefully, less animals bred for food and slaughtered. In more recent years, the rise of veganism has led to an increase of available plant-based cheeses and mock meats. This shows an increase in demand for these types of products, and many companies have risen to meet these increased demands. Environmental concerns are another reason that people choose to go vegan – animal agriculture has a largely negative impact on the environment. A third reason people choose to go vegan is for the possible health benefits; whether this is weight loss, improved energy levels, or clearer skin…. Choosing plant-based can have a whole variety of benefits.  

Top Tips to go Vegan 

Find your favourites

Think about your favourite foods and meals and you’ll find that many of these are actually quite simple to veganism. There are plant-based/vegan alternatives to most foods these days and enjoying your favourite dishes is much easier than a complete dietary overhaul. If you need inspiration for vegan dishes there are plenty of recipes available on the blog.

 

Discover Our Recipes

 

Do it with friends

Research shows that we are more likely to make lifestyle changes if we have someone else holding us accountable. Think about this in other areas of your life – you may have set yourself a goal this January to run three times a week, but you hate getting out of bed in the morning. However, setting this goal with a friend makes you more likely to get up and out the house, as you don’t want to let down your friend and leave them to run by themselves. The same mentality can be applied to dietary choices.  

Educate yourself

Understanding why we make changes is an integral part of making changes last. There are a whole host of articles and documentaries online, and you may find that the more you learn, the stronger the motivation to be vegan. In turn, the greater the motivation, the more likely it is that changes will be permanent, not just for Veganuary!

Feel healthier

Around 50% of Veganuary participants last year found that going vegan had a beneficial effect on their health. Improved health outcomes included an increase in energy, clearer skin, weight loss, and better mental health. Even small dietary changes such as avoiding dairy may help to improve skin health, especially for those with inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne or eczema.

Supplement correctly

In order to maintain your new-found energy levels, it is important to supplement with vitamin B12. This vitamin is only found in animal products, so it can be difficult to reach the required amounts when following a vegan diet. Vitamin B12 is required for energy production within the body and is also important for brain health and function. As well as vitamin B12, Myvegan have a range of vitamins and supplements to support your needs.

 

 

Supplementation is an individual choice and should be based on personal health requirements.

Eat in abundance/avoid restriction

Vegan and plant-based foods can often be lower in calories and fat than animal-based products. To maintain energy levels, it is therefore important not only to eat enough foods, but to make sure to include some calorie-dense foods, such as avocadoes or peanut butter. This will help to prevent a calorie deficit and keep you energised throughout the day. And always remember, a balanced plate is one that contains all the macronutrients – healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Try something new

Following a vegan diet may lead you to explore different cuisines and dishes you haven’t tried before! Types of meals that lend themselves well to vegan diets include Japanese or Thai dishes (omitting any fish sauce), Middle-Eastern, and South Indian meals. Many curries contain ghee, a type of clarified butter however, this can easily be substituted for coconut oil.

Find a pace that suits you

It can be a little overwhelming to try and completely overhaul your diet. If you are someone that finds gradual changes have more of an impact, then why not try ‘meat-free-Monday’, or eating only vegan foods whilst at home? Being a flexitarian, or part-time vegan may be more realistic for you than eating vegan 100% of the time. Not sure what’s right for you? Check out this article on being a part-time vegan:

Boost gut health

For optimum gut health, it is recommended that we eat 30 different types of plant fibres per week. This will help to reach recommended amounts of fibre and improve gut bacteria diversity (the fibre helps to feed good bacteria). A vegan diet is often more diverse and includes more of these fibres than a standard Western diet.

Fibre is super important for a healthy gut – an adequate fibre intake may help with weight loss, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and bowel cancer. Getting enough fibre doesn’t have mean boring food though – overnight oats, lentil curry, guacamole, and granola are all delicious plant-based options that are packed with fibre. 

Keep an eye out for foods and drinks containing inulin, most commonly as chicory inulin. This prebiotic powerhouse helps good bacteria in your gut. One serving of our Vegan Protein Pancake Mix includes around 50% of your daily chicory inulin intake, so you can enjoy a sweet snack and help your gut health at the same time.

Remember to incorporate protein

Protein not only helps you to feel fuller for longer but will also help to maintain and build muscle mass. Try and incorporate protein into every meal and snack, as this will accumulate throughout the day to help reach your protein goals. If you need more support, Myvegan has a range of protein products which can be used to boost your protein intake.

 

Shop Vegan Proteins

 

Take Home Message  

Veganism is growing in popularity year on year, and it is easier than ever to follow a diet that avoids animal products. It may not be as difficult as you think, and you may find that your health improves as a result!

FAQs 

Is it hard to go vegan?  

It is definitely easier to go vegan in 2023, compared to 5 or 6 years ago! There are a whole host of vegan mock meats and dairy alternatives available that can be used as direct swaps for animal-based products. Talk to friends and family for inspiration and recommendations of vegan products.  

How do you start going vegan?  

Find a way that suits you – whether it’s making gradual changes such as flexitarian or meat-free Mondays, or whether you choose to go fully vegan for 30 days, find a way of eating that is sustainable and enjoyable.  

What should I keep in mind when going vegan?  

Make sure to incorporate protein in most/all meals or snacks to feel fuller for longer and maintain muscle mass and energy levels. Regular supplementation of vitamin D and vitamin B12 is also recommended for those following a vegan diet.  

What can you eat as a vegan?  

The list of foods vegans can eat is far longer than the list of foods they can’t! Generally, vegans avoid animal-based products; this includes meat, dairy products (including whey powders), eggs, fish and honey.  

How long does it take the body to adjust to a plant-based diet?  

Many people make the switch fairly easily however, if you are someone that wouldn’t usually have a good fibre intake, you may notice some changes in bowel habits and some bloating. This should start to settle in a couple of weeks, although reducing portion sizes of beans, legumes, and some vegetables may help to reduce these symptoms.  


Veganuary. 83% of Veganuary 2022 participants plan permanent diet change [internet]. Veganuary. Available from:  

https://veganuary.com/83-of-veganuary-2022-participants-plan-permanent-diet-change/#:~:text=More%20than%20629%2C000%20people%20from,2022%2C%20breaking%20all%20previous%20records.  

 

Buttriss J, Stokes C. Fibre and health: an overview. Nutr Bull. 2008; 33(3): 186-200 

 

Dall’Oglio F, Nasca M, Fiorentini F, Micali G. Diet and acne: reiew of the evidence from 2009 to 2020. Int J Derm. 2021; 60(6): 672-685 

 

Kurtzman G, Day S, Small D, Lynch M, Zhu J, Wang W, et al. Social incentives and gamification to promote weight loss: the LOST IT randomized, controlled trial. J Gen Int Med. 2018; 33: 1669-1675 

 

Sexton A, Garnett T, Lorimer J. Vegan food geographies and the rise of Big Veganism [Internet]. Prog Hum Geogr. 2022; 46(2). Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/03091325211051021  

 

Mendes E. An application of the transtheoretical model to becoming vegan. Soc Work Public Health. 2013; 28(2): 142-149 

 

Springmann M, Godfray C, Rayner M, Scarborough P. Analysis and valuation of the health and climate change cobenefits of dietary change. PNAS. 2016; 113(5): 4146-4151  



rachelgreene

rachelgreene

Nutritionist

Rachel is a qualified Associate Nutritionist (ANutr) who holds an MSc in both Applied Human Nutrition and Physician Associate Studies. Over the last year, Rachel's been working as a freelance nutrition writer and coach, with her areas of interest including weight loss and specialist dietary requirements. As well as this, she's contributed towards published research on weight loss, and is currently studying the role of plant-based diets in health-conscious individuals.