Common Vegan Roadblocks and How To Overcome Them

There are many reasons why people fail at committing to a 100% vegan lifestyle. I hear them all day long while doing consulting. Interestingly enough, it seems that the same roadblocks keep popping up over and over again. Below is a quite extensive list of the most common things that prevent people from going vegan and how to successfully overcome them.

You are experiencing “The Cheese Problem”. For many wannabe vegans, cheese is the hardest thing to give up. Thankfully, innovations in vegan “cheese” technology have recently given us a more believable substitute. Companies like Daiya and Teese are making amazing, melt-able  cheese replacements. And lovers of artisan cheese are not without hope. Dr Cow makes deliciously sinful cheese from aged cashews and other randomly delicious ingredients. (Not only is it vegan, but raw too!) Also, whenever you are craving cheese remind yourself of the atrocities that occur on dairy farms, and why you have chosen to go vegan in the first place.

You need a centerpiece to your meal – A recent convert said this to me the other day and it really made sense.  All through our omnivorous lives we have meals with a “centerpiece” usually being meat and then the supporting roles played by vegetables. When people have that “centerpiece” option taken away they get nervous and assume there aren’t many fulfilling meal options left. Dropping this mentality and embracing the world of one-pot-meals is a good practice to have when first going vegan. It is easy, simple and very filling. Stews, chilis, soups, bakes.. whatever. Just keep it simple and then you can move on to meals containing multiple parts – without relying on a big hunk of protein slapped in the middle.

You are overwhelmed with information – There is a lot to learn about living as a vegan. But you don’t need to learn it all at once! Obviously, start by cutting meat, dairy and eggs out of your diet. Then spend a few minutes each day learning about ingredients and products that don’t adhere to vegan standards. You don’t have to throw all of your non-vegan cosmetics and clothing out immediately, just gradually replace your old products with new vegan-friendly ones as you normally would.
Keep in mind that you are going to screw up. You are going to buy the wrong products or eat the wrong things – and that is okay! Just like anything else in life, you learn by messing up. Going vegan is a process and nobody can live a 100% compassionate lifestyle overnight no matter how hard they try.

You don’t have enough time – Yes you do! Eating vegan doesn’t take any longer than eating any other type of diet. Although it does initially take some time figuring out restaurants you can eat at and quick recipes that you like. While you are figuring that out, be sure to keep some snacks in your bag to tide you over. Remember, this is a process, but soon you will have your routines and preferences just like you did before.

You are not sure if all of your nutritional needs will be covered – If you eat a healthy diet consisting of varied whole foods, you will get more than adequate nutrition.
Protein is found in essentially everything vegans eat but is especially high in nuts, greens, beans and legumes, quinoa, soy products, and seitan.
Iron is found in leafy green veggies, quinoa, soybeans, molasses, tempeh and beans.
Calcium is found in leafy green veggies (specifically, kale),  soy products, okra, molasses, tahini, broccoli, almonds.
Although you can find B12 in nutritional yeast and fermented soy products it is probably best to take a supplement since most people don’t get much of those foods in their daily diets.
I personally take a multi-vitamin and a B12 supplement on top of eating whole foods and that is more than enough to keep me healthy and vibrant.
If you are still unsure of  your own personal nutritional needs and how to obtain them then make an appointment with a holistic nutritionist.

You think it will be too expensive – I don’t know how this myth came about, but many people think living as a vegan is a privilege that only the wealthy have. Sure you run across $25 gourmet, organic vegan dinners in some cities, but all in all eating vegan is super cheap. If you buy produce from farmers markets and grains, legumes and nuts in bulk you will probably cut your grocery bill in half while eating healthier. Talk about a deal!

You don’t know anyone that is vegan – Many people greatly rely on the support of their loved ones and when it is possible that support wont be there, the task at hand seems much more daunting. I totally sympathize with this reasoning, I have been there and basically still am. The key is to be confident in your choice of lifestyle, and convey the reasons for your choice clearly to your loved ones. If they love you they will understand and respect your decision. You can also get out and make some new veggie friends! With the internet this is easier than ever.

Is there anything I missed? Are you having any other problems commiting to a cruelty free lifestyle? Leave it in the comments, email me or sign up for consulting.

image by te.esce