Becoming a vegan is more than just about what you eat. It’s a lifestyle change and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. While there are so many health benefits for changing your diet to a vegan one, it can be difficult if you are the only one doing it. Which is why it can be a great motivator to get the whole family involved. Not only will everyone become healthy but it will make the cooking much easier as you are accommodating for everyone. So if you are considering becoming a vegan and want the family involved here are a few suggestions that may help. I made the switch just before Christmas (for compassion to animals and the planet reasons, if you're asking) and haven't looked back.
Image source - pixabay - cco license
Get them excited about the lifestyle change
It is no good not making this new phase in your life exciting. If the children think it’s going to be hard, bland and boring, then they won’t be on board. Explain about how good food can help them in school and with their energy. It would be best if you and your partner showed encouraging signs about how great things will be. Although you want them to be motivated and happy about it, try and not make it into such a huge deal. It needs to be something that everyone is content in and not forced.
Keep them informed
Keeping your family informed about the reasons is a great way to keep everyone on track. You may be wanting to have a vegan lifestyle because of your beliefs in the cruelty of animals. You may find that a plant based diet is exactly what you need because of the health benefits. Whatever your reasons may be, keep your family involved and remind them. Just as much as you will need to remind yourself as time goes on and you get further along in your journey. Things won't happen overnight.
Start things off gradually
The problem with lifestyle and diet changes is that we can try and do too much too soon. If you had a meat eating family before your decision, it would be very difficult to become completely vegan straight away. So accept that this will be a gradual process and cut things out on a weekly basis. Start compensating for foods with other things and adding more vegetables to your meals. This is a great way to get people to try foods they haven’t ever tasted before, without feeling like they haven't got anything to eat at all.
Research out alternative foods for the things they like
If you have a family who likes certain foods, then do a little research and find vegan alternatives. You will be surprised that you can find alternatives to pretty much anything these days. Including things like mayonnaise and sauces. Doing this means that it won’t feel like your family is sacrificing some of their well-loved foods or sauces. You have just found amazing alternatives for them to enjoy. Also, it is worth remembering that there are other things you can try that you may want to use yourself, perhaps remedies you have grown accustomed to where you are looking for vegan edibles as an alternative. Doing research online can help you find these things and not only make the transition easy for you, but also for the family as well.
Finally, don’t forget that you can find many recipes online for old family favourites. Try these mango, avocado and apple summer rolls, this beautiful babaganoush, this lovely beetroot and orange soup or these Thug Kitchen buffalo cauliflower bites.Things like vegan bolognese and pasta will all be a huge hit with the family. Good luck with the lifestyle change.
Follow me on Instagram for more vegan recipes and inspiration!
Lots of love,
Jenna
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