In the last few years, I’ve been asked a number of times by vegan-curious folks about how to make the switch.

Some have been vegetarians and some have been omnivores, but they all were desiring to shift to veganism, yet feeling nervous about it. There probably is no one best way to make this switch, but having tried to be vegan a couple of times before it really took, I do have a few thoughts that I share with people contemplating the change, and I share them with you here (plus a few yummy recipes to get you started).

1. Make a commitment. It doesn’t matter if you decide to go “cold tofurkey” on all animal products or if you phase them out one at a time. The key is to think it through and make a firm choice. Waffling on it, or just trying to move toward it by reducing overall consumption makes the whole process take longer because there are going to be situations where it is a challenge to avoid animal products, and if you haven’t already made a firm choice and established your boundaries, you aren’t likely to make it through those.

2. Research alternatives before you start. You know what your animal product weaknesses are. Think about how you will replace them in your diet. Is it cheese? Milk? Jerky? Honey? Burgers? Almost anything can be replaced with something vegan that will satisfy the same taste urges, but you have to figure out what it is, and that’s easier when you aren’t starving or trying to cook dinner in 20 minutes.

3. Think about ways to maintain your usual ratio of “fun” to nutritious foods at first. If you are accustomed to having Doritos every night for a snack, and you go vegan and only eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, you are going to be an unhappy camper. There is plenty of vegan fun (or “crap” depending on your frame of reference) food, so it is not necessary to deprive yourself. You can start changing the ratio after you get more comfortable with the overall choice.

4. Be open to prepared foods for a while. I am not a big fan of them, but when you are first starting a vegan diet, it might be easier to microwave a Boca burger and some veggie baked beans, or an Amy’s meal, than to come up with a menu on your own. It’s more expensive and you don’t have as much control over nutrition, but that will come. If it’s a choice between going vegan and eating some prepared foods, and not going vegan at all, then…

5. Varied diet. I really can’t stress this enough. If you start out by eating salads for every meal, with the same set of four ingredients, you are going to get bored and frustrated and are more likely to crack and order an extra-large cheese pizza from Pizza Hut. Buy a cookbook or find a blog or website you like to peruse. Even if you never actually use any of the recipes, you will get some ideas about how to eat in a vegan style, and will probably be shocked by the amazing variety of choices.

It’s a challenging change, but it really is possible, and you may find that the things you thought you would miss aren’t a problem at all.

Happy veganizing!

Recipes to try:

Snacks & Sides:

> Tasty, Kid-Friendly Date-Coconut Balls.
> Chickpea Cheese.
> Make your own Sauerkraut, Superfood Style.
> Chakra Salad.
> Granola Without the Oats? Yes & it’s Delicious!
> Baked Eggplant Chips & Dip to Die For.
> Make Your Own Seaweed Snacks!

Dinner:

> Kabocha Squash Stuffed with Wild Rice & Chestnuts.
> Deep Healing Chickpea & Kale Soup.
> This Vegan Casserole will Knock your Socks Off.
> Delicious Potato & Cauliflower Curry.
> Light & Luscious Curried Coconut Soup with Lemongrass.
> Roasted Butternut Squash with Curried Jewel Quinoa.
> Spring Thai Tofu & Veggie Roast.
> Luscious Coconut & Rice Noodle Soup.
> Nom Nom Roasted Veggie Quesadillas with Fennel Seed.
> Healthy, Rich & Luxurious White Bean Fondue.
> One Pot Pasta: Bright & Colorful—Quick & Easy.

Dessert:

> Homemade Twix Bars.
> Dreamy Chocolate Cheesecake.
> Raw Apple Crumble.
> Sweet Potato Chocolate Pudding.
> Easy Vegan Brownies…Yum!

Drinks:

> Ayurvedic Golden Milk. 
> Energize Your Day the “Green Bull” Way. {Natural Energy Drink}
> Mint-Chocolate Shake.
> How to Make Yummy Homemade Chai.
> Chai Hot Toddy.

Relephant:
How to be Vegan without being a Jerk about it.