12 Tips For Leaning Into a Plant-Based Diet Successfully!

1. Start by making vegan version of you favorite meals (tacos, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, burgers, wraps, sandwiches etc)

2. Shop for a few staples to have around the house such as a few cans of black beans, garbanzo beans, canned tomato, rice or almond milk, seasonings, etc.

3. Try new recipes that you feel comfortable with

4. Lean into trying new foods and taking food out.

5. "Crowd out" bad habbits with healthy new habits. (ex. if you love ice cream and want to eat it every day, get lots of fresh fruits and juices and make homemade popcicles from 100% fruit) 

6. Dont throw in the towel if you struggle or dont so things perfectly.  This is your own journey.

7. Do your research!  The more research you get your hands on, the more committed you will be to your decision.  

8.  Don't tell yourself that you "can't" have certain things, but rather that you "choose not to" for your own personal health, for animal rights, for the environment, or for the world's poor (whichever fits you best).

9. Pay attention to how you feel and the health benefits you are encountering.

10.  Eat balanced meals and be nutrient concious!  When making meals, make sure you have good sources of calcium (green veggies have it too) and protein, and fat etc.... Vegan diets CAN be completely unhealthy if you limit yourself to only eating cheap vegan junk food<-- that type of eating will not reap the amazing health benefits that a true balanced plant-based diet will.  

11.  Plan meals ahead of time.  If you are in a crunch, thats when it becomes difficult to avoid animal products because you are rushed and hungry.  Not planning ahead it also a sure tell way of assuring that you dont eat healthy.

12.  Keep veggies and fruits readily available and pre-cut in the fridge so that they are just within an arms reach when you are snacking.