There are many myths about being vegan!
How will you get enough protein? Will I be iron deficient?
and my favourite, Vegans are always sick!

If you eat a balanced vegan diet you will be none of these but the key here is balanced.
GERMANY’S WORLDS STRONGEST MAN (Patrik Baboumian) 2011 IS VEGAN, and the new face of PETA.
Mr Universe 2014 winner Barny du Plessis is VEGAN.

These are just two examples but there are many more to prove the point that being vegan is not only more kinder to the animals but it is also kinder to the world drinking milk and eating beef are the most damaging things you can do to the environment. If you want to find out more check out these documentaries cowspiracy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFMRIOAgZY8

Not only that eating meat in general has shown to increase risk of cancer and heart disease look at
forks over knives review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fup4zuUXn8E

but that’s just some of the evidence here is a government report showing that a plant based diet is recommended as a healthier way of life https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/

so i’ll stop preaching on why a plant based diet is amazing and start showing you the pitfalls.

SO HOW DO YOU GO VEGAN?

It’s not just eating fruit and vegetables some of the best vegan foods for protein and minerals like magnesium and calcium come from nuts, seeds and legumes.

Having a naturopath or nutritionist help you with an eating plan and shopping list as well as keeping an eye out for nutritional deficiencies, we often refer to GP’s to test your iron and B12 because they can get low if you don’t make sure you include vegan sources of both.

Sometimes it can be easier to supplement but it just depends on your preference. For example if your are really busy and just have time for a quick snack and keep running maybe a supplement is for you, but if you are amazing in the kitchen and have time to make delicious meals maybe you’ll get enough from your diet.

NUTREINTS TO KEEP AN EYE ON WHEN YOUR VEGAN
Iron– Needed for red blood cell synthesis, energy and immune health this can be found in many sources non-heme is plant based diets check out nutrition Australia http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/national/resource/iron

B12– Needed for DNA synthesis and red blood cell production. B12 can be a bit tricky but there are many fortified foods with B12 in just remember you need 2.4micrograms per day so savory yeast while amazing is not going to cut it. check out http://veganhealth.org/b12/vegansources

Zinc– this is the nutrient everyone seems to forget. While it isn’t as life or death as B12 and Iron it can make you miserable if you don’t have enough it’s functions in the immune system, neuronal system (mood) and it is needed to make hydrochloric acid.

These are the prominent deficiencies seen but can be over come remember everyone is different and different things happen in all of our bodies.

WHAT DO I EAT?

Well that is up to you, start small and if your overwhelmed make 1 meal a day vegan, then 2 then 3 and start on your snacks and take your time because changing your diet drastically is great for some but most rebel and it’s not sustainable just do what you can today and try a little harder tomorrow.

Great resources for vegan food The Healthy Chef while not strictly vegan is a great place for healthy recipes https://www.thehealthychef.com/?s=vegan there is also http://chefchloe.com/recipes vegan chef

but some of my favorite inspirations come from facebook like Vegan Recipes to Share. there are tons of inspirations out there heaps and of support.

If you feel like you need individual support to change your diet consider our Wellness package, which allows us to tailor an individual meal plan and work on your health goals for sustainable change.