Tips For Transitioning to Plant-Based

I help people transition to a more plant-based diet by revamping their kitchen pantry, fridge, with shopping trips and cooking classes that empower them to cook healthful meals at home. If you aren’t able to meet with me face to face, here are some great tips on how to make the transition to a plant-based diet as smoothly as possible.

1. Get Educated

Going plant-based requires a new way of thinking about food. There are tons of resources both in book form and online. Read, read, read. Seek out good, science-backed nutritional content, like PCRM and Dr. Greger. Your family and friends may be shocked or not supportive of your decision to cut out animal foods, so you will need to be educated on why this is a wonderful way to live. Not everyone can see through the misinformation we’ve been given our entire lives. I decided early in my vegan journey not to join family functions centered around food (i.e., Thanksgiving). Instead, I would visit with them at different times of the year. You may decide to continue participating in family gatherings. Be prepared to bring a few delicious dishes for everyone to try, and don’t give in to the junk that may be served.

2. Learn to Cook

Since you will be exploring a new way of eating, you may need to brush up on your skills in cooking delicious plant-based food. If you have cooking classes near you, I encourage you to take them. Also, grab some great cookbooks and commit to trying at least 2 new recipes each week. Explore your farmer’s market and try new vegetables. After going plant-based, my palate and food choices opened up. Now I eat things I had always seen at the grocery store but didn’t know what to do with, like bok choy, kale, butternut squash, napa cabbage, etc.

3. Have the Proper Tools

Cooking for yourself can be a drag and take a lot of time if you don’t have the proper tools in your kitchen. Your most important tool and investment is a good knife! Even if it seems expensive, a good knife will last you a lifetime and will save you SO much time in the kitchen. My favorite is the Japanese vegetable style by NHS and MAC. I also love Global. I have found those brands to be the best for anyone, at any skill level. Also, invest in a bamboo or wood cutting board.

4. Be Gentle With Yourself

If you can’t go 100% vegan overnight, start with two plant-based meals a day (or as many as you can), while doing #5 and #6. Once you start adding in the “good” stuff, then you can start removing the “bad” stuff from your diet. I call this “Crowding Out”. Once you have eliminated the nasty stuff, you’ll be on your way to feeling good. But remember, our bodies go through a detox period when we switch to a (more) plant-based diet. So you might feel like crap before you start feeling good. Just stick with it and drink lots of water.

5. Good, Better, Best Policy

Throwing out everything in your fridge and pantry and starting fresh can feel daunting. If you had to choose one thing to give up, start with #6 and dump dairy ASAP. Instead of getting rid of everything all at once, start adding in healthy foods like whole grains and green leafy vegetables. Then you can slowly start transitioning the nasty foods out (meat, poultry, fish, dairy, processed foods, sugar, etc). Use the “Good, Better, Best Policy” when choosing foods. If the better or best option is available, take it. If only the good option is available, then enjoy it.

6. Cut Out Sugar (Alcohol too)

If you are transitioning to a healthful lifestyle, you may want to dump refined sugar and alcohol. Refined sugar demineralizes the body, sends your insulin skyrocketing, then leaves you wrecked, lowers immunity, and over-consuming it can contribute to all kinds of health problems. It’s addictive, and in almost everything, so you have to be careful with reading ingredient lists. There are lots of great ways to make desserts without using refined sugar. All my recipes are healthy, delicious, and free of refined sugar. Check out Christina Pirello’s cookbooks, too. I use agave and maple instead, which have a lower glycemic index.

7. Seek Out Vegetarian/Vegan Communities Near You

Since plant-based eating isn’t exactly mainstream, it’s important to find other people like you to share your experiences with, have a potluck with your local community, or find events on Meetup.com in your town. Start frequenting the veg restaurants near you, and if there are none, see if your local favorites will start offering more vegan options. Don’t be afraid to get out there and connect with more vegetarian/vegan people 🙂

Let me know how I can help you go plant-based. If you have questions, please ask here or feel free to email me.