Can I Be A Part-Time Vegan?
As you’ve probably gotten from my page, I’m all about inspiration over judgement. I do this because so many people don’t dare to make any changes to their lifestyle because they get the feeling that it’s either all or nothing. In reality, however, none of us are perfect! So being inhibited by perfection is a major issue we should overcome. To start off the new year and in the spirit of veganuary, I thought it would be a great time to talk about being a part-time vegan.
What does “being vegan” even mean?
Per definition the word “vegan” doesn’t only refer to diet. Being a “vegan” means avoiding any animal products in all aspects of life. This includes food&drinks, clothing (e.g. leather), entertainment (e.g. zoos), cosmetics and much more. What I’m trying to tell you is that “vegan” is a big word that’s thrown around quite uncarefully.
In this blog post I would like to limit the question of “Can I be a part-time vegan” to the diet aspect of the word. Which is then properly referred to with the term “plant-based diet”. Calling it this doesn’t only make clear that we are talking about diet but also suggests that we are basing the diet on plants, meaning there can potentially be other things on your plate, too. But enough about word gibberish. The reason you’re reading this isn’t to get a vocabulary lesson but to find out if it’s possible to be a part-time vegan or now better referred to as a part-time plant-based diet - so glad that this is such an easy term to write and say 😉
“The worst thing you can do is to overwhelm yourself. Because in most cases that leads to quitting. You should find your own pace at which you feel comfortable with change.”
How do I start being a part-time vegan?
Find the right pace
So with the rule book out of the way let’s talk about how your diet could change in favor of your health, the environment and the animals. Of course it would be great to stop consuming animal products all together but that’s simply too big of a step for many. The worst thing you can do is overwhelm yourself. Because in most cases that leads to quitting. Some people go fully vegan overnight and never look back, some are vegetarians first, some take years. Again, there is no right or wrong. It’s a process that is completely defined by you. It’s also important to point out that you do not have to define yourself by any label. Often this is exactly what puts people in a place where they’re afraid not to live up to the label or make mistakes. Don’t let labels get in the way! Just do better, eat more plants and begin the journey, the rest will figure itself out. To start making those changes you should find your own pace at which you feel comfortable with change. Find out what challenges you face. Maybe you do great with cooking plant-based meals at home but struggle when eating out. If so, go with it and make more changes when the time feels right.
“The reason “being vegan” seems restrictive to many is because most people just subtract animal foods out of their cultural dishes they are used to eating. With eating more plants you will get to know so many new foods and dishes that it will leave you wondering how you could ever have lived such a boring food life.”
Get inspired
To start eating more plants I find it hugely helpful to follow accounts or download ebooks that inspire me with plant-based recipes. Some great accounts to start you off: minimalistbaker, veggiekins and zucker&jagdwurst.
This is especially important if you’re just starting to incorporate more plant foods into your diet. Because most people struggle with habits. Eggs on toast for breakfast, a tuna salad for lunch and a steak with fries for dinner. The reason "being vegan" seems restrictive to many is because most people just subtract animal foods out of their cultural dishes they are used to eating. So all of the sudden it’s nothing on toast for breakfast, salad with nothing for lunch and nothing with fries for dinner. Wow, that sounds incredibly terrible and dull!
Be open for new foods
But once we understand that it’s all about habits and culture we also open the door for the new. How does a hummus-avocado toast for breakfast, a mexican bowl for lunch and a pizza for dinner sound? Not too bad, right? But until you get there or maybe you never decide to fully go there you can switch out what you’ve eaten all your life piece by piece with new meals from around the world. Believe me, with eating more plants you will get to know so many new foods and dishes that it will leave you wondering how you could have ever lived such a boring food life. At least that’s what happened to me!
Vegan pizza with homemade ricotta at my favorite place here in Berlin “La Stella Nera”
Will I be healthier if I eat a more plant-based diet?
Either you’re a health nut and are worried about nutrients & protein now or you’re a comfort eater worrying that this whole thing might be too much salad for you. I can take both those worries off your mind. Eating more plants nowadays can be super healthy or absolutely comforting. I’ll talk about nutrients another day but in the end just like with any diet if you eat right (check the plantproof healthy vegan food pyramid) you will be thriving on plants! And if you’re a comfort eater the two comfy creators zuckerjagdwurst will not disappoint you with their creations. Vegan pizza, vegan beyond meat burgers, peanut butter ice cream and all those kind of nasties are readily available nowadays. So whatever you decide to do – there’s enough out there for you. Health is personal but eating more plants will for sure have a great impact on the environment and the animals!
Start by finding your ‘why’
“Understanding how the animal product industry has one of the worst impacts on the environment and the animals did it for me. My behavior collided with my morals. I didn’t want to contribute to something I couldn’t justify.”
If you are planning on becoming a “part-time vegan” you need to know why you’re doing it. I started eating vegan once because I felt it would be a good idea. You can image how long that great argument kept me there. I bought 5 vegan products that were crap, hadn’t really figured out why I wanted to make this change and went back to my old habits the next day. It was almost a year after, that I found my “why”.
For me it was learning about the impact animal foods have on the environment. I love nature and its complex amazing ecosystems with all kinds of different animal and plant species. Understanding how the animal product industry has one of the worst impacts on these areas, combined with the fact that I knew most animals in the livestock industry were living terrible lives, did it for me. My behavior collided with my morals. I didn’t want to contribute to something I couldn’t justify. To find your “why” you can watch some amazing documentaries that will not only educate you on health and the environment but will also give you a new perspective on compassion and morals.
My top 3:
What the Heath (Health)
Dominion (Animals)
Cowspiracy (Environment)
You could also watch:
My ‘why’
What will my diet as a part-time vegan look like?
Well, as I told you before – you make the rules! So you should find out where you can and want to start. Is breakfast your favorite meal of the day? Then start somewhere else. You love cheese? Then ditch meat, milk and butter. You don’t want to eat differently when you’re out? Then stick to only plant-based meals when you’re eating at home. In the end it has to fit your life and your needs. Because that’s what will keep you going. It will make you want to learn more and will motivate you to make further changes.
Will some changes be enough?
“I always say if I did everything right I would be living in the woods wearing a potato sack. And someone would probably still be up my butt on how I am breathing out carbon dioxide.”
Make those changes as big as you can to have the biggest impact but don’t forget that it’s more important to stick with them to have an even bigger impact. In the end it’s about evolving as quickly as you can at a pace you feel comfortable enough to keep going at. And maybe you’ll find yourself eating a completely plant-based diet sooner than you think! Whatever you do from here: the environment, the animals and your health will thank you for it.
Happy Days!
Manja
P.S. The title picture is me eating some amazing tacos al pastor (soy BBQ) on mexican independence day!
P.P.S. If you’re already a full or part-time vegan: What are your best tips to start eating a more plant-based diet? Please share with the community so we can help each other out!