Incorporating plant-based habits into our daily lives can be hugely beneficial for the environment.
Start being more plant based with these 3 easy tips
With research estimating that the number of vegans in the UK increased by 419,000 (62%) over the past year, it’s safe to say that veganism is on the rise!
Whether it is to eat healthier, help the environment or to reduce the pain and suffering of animals, people choose to go vegan for all kinds of reasons.
As mentioned, veganism has some serious environmental benefits. The Vegan Society explains how if the world went vegan it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two thirds and lead to healthcare-related savings and avoid climate damages of $1.5 trillion.
However, cutting out all animal products including meat, dairy, certain beauty products and fashion items can seem like an impossible task. Which is why introducing more plant-based meals and products into our lives is a great first step.
Now I am not saying that adopting a vegan lifestyle should be your end goal, but I do believe that we can improve our health and help to look after the environment by incorporating more ‘plant-based’ habits into our daily routine.
Here is how you can get started…
1. Start Off Slow
If you are looking to remove all animal products from your diet (including meat, fish, eggs, dairy) it is best to ease yourself into it, remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Start off by slowly reducing your meat intake and incorporating more vegetarian and vegan meals into your diet.
Oxfam suggests that replacing red meat and dairy with vegetables for just one day a week can cut an individual's annual emissions by the equivalent of a 1,160-mile car trip.
This is one of the reasons why many people participate in Meat Free Mondays, where they eat vegetarian or vegan meals every Monday!
2. Try Vegan Food Substitutes
With the growing number of people switching to vegan diets, vegan food products are now widely available in most supermarkets.
More and more people are experimenting with plant-based alternatives when doing their weekly food shop and it shows…
So why not pick up some soy, almond or oat milk next time you are doing your weekly shop or try swapping an olive oil-based spread for butter!
3. Meal Plan
Whether you are trying to eat healthier or want to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, meal planning is key for staying on track.
The best way to start is to think about the foods you have for breakfast, lunch and dinner and then work out what you can substitute. It is also worth experimenting with different plant-based recipes to see which ones you like best!
From there, you can decide which recipes and meals you are going to have when and plan your food shop accordingly!
Living a completely vegan lifestyle can be challenging and it is not suitable for everyone, however, introducing more vegan habits can have a hugely positive effect on the world around us!
Feel free to join my Facebook group where I’ve been sharing more hints and tips on how we can become more plant-based in our daily lives - including some fantastic recipes that the whole family can enjoy!