Tips on how to stay vegan

Veganism - the lifestyle that excludes the consumption of food and other animal
products - continues to grow. However, a large proportion of people who
become vegan do not stay that way. Quitting veganism does not necessarily
happen because of a change of heart about what it stands for. Often, it is
contextual causes that lead people to revert to the consumption of animal
products. Fortunately, those who are just starting down the path of veganism
can take some steps that will help them ensure the maintenance of their diet
and lifestyle in the long run. Read on to find out what you can do to stay vegan!

1. Surround yourself with other vegans

Social relationships are extremely important in big lifestyle changes such as
veganism. The more positive the networks are in supporting this choice, the
more likely it is to be maintained. It is most common for this support to come
from friends and networks formed with other vegans 1, so join an online group or
go to a vegan event in your city! You’ll likely find out that having like-minded
people to share your experiences, discoveries and difficulties with can be very
helpful.

2. Turn your family and friends into allies

Although social relationships are extremely important in maintaining veganism,
opposition to this lifestyle is usually strongest among nuclear families. Families
are particularly reluctant to the newly found veganism of their members. It is
common for parents to try to dissuade their young children, and for adult
children to oppose their parents' choice of veganism 2. However, past the initial
period of adjustment, it is common for family members and friends, as a show of
caring, to become the biggest advocates of their children's, parents', or friends'
lifestyle. Often they will even incorporate and perform certain aspects of the

1
Jabs J, Devine CM, Sobal J. Maintaining Vegetarian Diets Personal Factors, Social Networks
and Environmental Resources. Can J Diet Pract Res. 1998 Winter;59(4):183-189.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11551357/
2
Asher and Cherry 2015 Asher, K, Cherry E. Home Is Where the Food Is: Barriers to
Vegetarianism and Veganism in the Domestic Sphere. Journal for Critical Animal Studies. 2015;
13(1): 66-91 http://journalforcriticalanimalstudies.org/jcas-volume-13-issue-1-december-2015/
vegan practice3! So, explain to your family members and friends in an
educational and kind way why you've turned green, and you'll likely have allies.

3. Transition gradually
People who are successful in maintaining veganism in the long term are usually
those who have gone through a gradual transition 4. While it is possible to adopt
veganism overnight, taking time to learn and make incremental changes leads
to a gradual adjustment that makes for a more solid practice.

4. Develop a cooking routine

Having a set of staple meals in your repertoire is important to avoid resorting to
quick animal-based meals. In addition, learning how to prepare meat substitutes
such as tofu, tempeh and seitan helps to satisfy cravings for specific flavors and
textures, as well as to attend social events without compromising one's diet 5.
Learning how to cook the vegan version of your favorite dishes will make your
life easier.

5. Check you motivations

People who remain vegan the longest are those with a broad set of motivations
(such as animal protection, health, environmental concerns, disgust with meat
and other animal products, and taste preferences). In contrast, most former
vegans had adopted the diet for health reasons 6. So make sure you have your
motivations present and actualized!

3
Twine R. Vegan Killjoys at the Table—Contesting Happiness and Negotiating Relationships
with Food Practices. Societies 2014; 4: 623–639. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/4/4/623
4
Asher K et al. Study of Current and Former Vegetarians and Vegans. Asher K, Green C,
Gutbrod H, Jewell M, Hale G and Bastian B. Study of Current and Former Vegetarians and
Vegans. Humane Research Council. 2014.
https://faunalytics.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Faunalytics_Current-Former-
Vegetarians_Full-Report.pdf
5
Jabs J, Devine CM, Sobal J. Maintaining Vegetarian Diets Personal Factors, Social Networks
and Environmental Resources. Can J Diet Pract Res. 1998 Winter;59(4):183-189.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11551357/
6
Asher K et al. Study of Current and Former Vegetarians and Vegans. Asher K, Green C,
Gutbrod H, Jewell M, Hale G and Bastian B. Study of Current and Former Vegetarians and
Vegans. Humane Research Council. 2014.
https://faunalytics.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Faunalytics_Current-Former-
Vegetarians_Full-Report.pdf
These tips should help you navigate veganism with fewer bumps in the road.
You will feel glad to maintain a lifestyle that benefits the animals and the
environment!