It’s the most common objection to the vegan lifestyle: “how do you get your protein without eating animal products?” Long-time plant-eaters have dealt with this question thousands of times, but if you’re trying to go vegan for the first time, it may still be a nagging concern.
That’s why we’re huge advocates of vegan protein, which can ease you into a plant-based lifestyle and support your health along the way.
If you’ve been holding out on a healthier way of living, you’re out of excuses! Here’s how we suggest making the switch to vegan protein.
Recognize the Benefits
The benefits of plant-based eating are apparent to anyone who has lived the life for many years. But there’s no better way to realize these benefits than actually seeing them yourself.
The most widely reported advantage of going plant-based is weight loss, but there’s much more happening behind the scenes. Not only does your body drop fat, but that metabolic boost also improves energy levels, cognition, and even mood.
This is why plant eaters tend to be more active and less sluggish – they just aren’t weighed down by fatty animal products that are often mixed with other unhealthy ingredients.
Pick a Protein Type
The next step on your journey is to choose a type of plant protein that will combat hunger and help you hit daily nutrient requirements. Keep in mind that many mainstream protein products are dairy-based, which means you need a strictly plant-based protein if you’re serious about going vegan.
Let’s debunk this myth once and for all – animal products are NOT the only source of protein on the planet!
Plants of all kinds are loaded with protein that is absorbed effectively by the body and grants all the same nutritional benefits you’d expect from chicken, beef, and the rest.
Green peas, hemp, brown rice, soybeans, and other plants have everything you need, and there are numerous powders to choose from.
Mix Up Your Methods
Here’s where many folks go wrong when attempting to make the switch to a vegan way of life – they don’t make their food interesting or fun to eat.
What does this have to do with protein powder, you might ask? It turns out there are tons of unique and inventive ways to enjoy plant-based protein powder so it never gets boring. Here are a few ideas:
- Stir it into your oatmeal or yogurt
- Bake protein bars for snacking on the go
- Fry up protein pancakes or waffles
- Add it to coffee or tea in the morning
- Blend a shake with vegan milk, fruit, and veggies
You can see that using plant-based protein powder doesn’t have to be a drag! Experiment with a range of flavors so that you stick to your goals and aren’t tempted by unhealthy snacks.
Don’t forget to sharpen up your vegan cooking skills along the way, since complete, healthy meals are the foundation of any successful diet.
Track Your Progress
Going plant-based means you need to maintain that motivation even when it wears thin. This is why many first-time vegans slide back into old habits after a few months – they forget why they started in the first place.
The antidote here is to track your progress and see how far you’ve come since the beginning of your journey. This might mean keeping a journal or a spreadsheet online to track workouts and meals, or having an accountability partner on speed dial so that you can vent frustrations or concerns.
Progress tracking is something you can utilize in all aspects of life, but it works particularly well for a goal like vegan living which is a 24/7 challenge at first. Before long, you’ll be accustomed to your new lifestyle.
Go Totally Plant-Based
Maybe you are just testing out the waters of living vegan, or you just want to limit meat-eating to a few times per week. These are good goals to start, but it’s important to continually raise the bar and challenge yourself to a greater degree.
Going 100% plant-based is the ultimate achievement, so why not aim high? Gradually decrease your consumption of meat products until you aren’t eating animal flesh, then rid of any remnants of dairy in your diet.
Becoming a plant-based person also means adjusting how you consume other products like clothing, furniture, household goods, and even media. The more conscious you become about what is allowed to enter your body and mind, the more powerful and peaceful you will be.
Start Now
Take the first step towards healthier living today – no more waiting!
It’s amazing how many good things can come from a simple dietary change like trying out plant-based protein instead of whey powder. Give it a shot and see what positive changes can come from one small adjustment.
