How to go Vegan: A starters guide
Glasgow-based influencer and fitness blogger Stefanie Moir on how adopting a plant-based diet is more than just a food fad
When I became vegan six years ago, I had already been a vegetarian for most of my teenage years and wanted to make a move to eating as healthily as possible since I was becoming more involved in fitness. I started switching out dairy products for non-dairy alternatives and as I began experimenting with recipes, I found a new love for food and cooking. As I was pursuing ever-increasing fitness goals, my family were concerned I wouldn’t be able to fuel my body properly with a vegan diet but I actually feel the fittest, healthiest and strongest I have ever felt. In fact, contrary to what they feared, living a plant-based lifestyle has only ever helped me achieve my fitness goals (continued below).
Eating plant-based meals is not about deprivation and restriction; you are not ‘giving up’ anything by eating more plant-based, you’re switching it up instead. My main takeaway from plant-based living would be don’t over complicate it, make healthy choices and cook easy recipes that you and your whole family will love. Don’t be like 2013 me, trying to get all fancy following a horrendously complicated Pinterest recipe for cauliflower crust pizza and serving up slop on a plate.It’s important to eat a well-balanced diet with variety; lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, legumes and beans. And you can still treat yourself. I am somewhat of a chocoholic and going vegan hasn’t changed that. I make lots of homemade desserts and you can find vegan desserts in the supermarket these days too.I know from personal experience that the hardest part about making any kind of change to your life – whether it be your diet, working out, your job, your relationships – is the social aspect.
Eating healthily or even using the word ‘VEGAN’ is still such a foreign concept to many that you might experience some concerns or backlash at first. People can often think that being vegan means you live off nothing but lettuce and telling someone you are going plant-based or vegan might seem daunting, but their reluctance to support you often comes from a place of concern – they think it is unhealthy when it can actually be quite the opposite. And to the doubters, remind them that veganism isn’t a ‘fad’ – it’s been around for a lot longer than I have; it’s just a healthy modern way of eating which could have benefits far beyond your own reach. Surely that makes it worth trying.
Naturally Stefanie: Recipes, Workouts and Daily Rituals for a Stronger, Happier You by Stefanie Moir is out now, priced £16.99.