5 Tips for Going Vegan with Morgan Salzsieder
November 7, 2016
Vegans pride themselves of their ability to eat in abundance, purely because the diet consists of eating what one’s body is made to process. Credit: Audrey Diaz/ Achona Online
Veganism is a lifestyle in which excludes (in all forms practical and possible) the cruelty and exploitation of animals for food, cosmetics, clothing, or any other purpose. This means eating an abundance of plant-based foods such as fruit, vegetables, and whole-grains.
According to Junior and avid vegan Morgan Salzsieder, “The benefits of being vegan are endless. Upon going vegan, I noticed a dramatic change in my skin, I had more energy, my metabolism sped up, and I could eat in abundance. To me, going vegan means eating what my body was actually made to process, instead of processed food that was absolutely awful for my body.”
Upon Salzsieder soon reaching her 7-month anniversary of starting a vegan lifestyle, ACHONA received the chance to learn her top five tips for beginning a vegan diet. They are:
1. Don’t be embarrassed about going vegan, or feel the need to justify it to others
“When I first told my friends about going vegan, they all started yelling at me saying I was gonna be a picky eater and a pain in their butts. But now they’re not complaining when I bring them vegan banana bread or brownies. My parents actually grounded me, too, because they thought it was going to be too expensive and time-consuming, but now they’ve started to come around and eat vegan with me some meals.”
2. Start slow
“Feel free to only get rid of certain foods at a time. Before I decided to make the jump, I was vegetarian for four years, which was more than enough time for me to learn and become acclimated to a diet that excludes all meat products. I would recommend to start by giving up meat, then eggs, then dairy so that it doesn’t seem overwhelming changing your entire diet at once. Honey is considered an animal product, but some people consider it optional.”
3. Discover new foods
“Obviously there are way more non-vegan options out there in the world than vegan options. But this makes finding a new snack you really like or preparing a new dish you found online that much more exciting and you feel much more accomplished. The internet becomes your best friend when you go out to eat, because if it doesn’t seem like there are any options for you, Google can show you how to specialize your orders and adjust them to your preferences.”
4. Remember why you are going vegan
“Whether you are going vegan for health reasons, environmental reason, or just to try it, remember your reasons why to keep you motivated. If you slip up and accidentally eat something that has animal products in it, it’s 100% okay! Just focus on your goals and stay motivated. I do it for not only myself, but also the environment, so I always think to myself, ‘The health of the environment is more important than having that Wright’s cupcake or that Panera mac n’ cheese.'”
5. Eat in abundance
“Most people ask me, ‘Aren’t you always hungry? What can you even eat?’ In reality, yes I am always hungry (maybe too hungry), because going vegan showed me foods that are so delicious that I want to eat them. All the time.”
Salzsieder proves that though being vegan can be very difficult with willpower and a positive attitude it is possible. Going vegan or making any decision to further one’s health is always a good choice.