Any tips for a vegan newbie?

[annalisia]

Hey!
I'm new to mumsnet, i'm not a mum but I am an auntie and a cat mommy!
I've been seriously considering going vegan. I really want to do it not only for the obvious ethical reasons but also for my own health. I'd love to be able to feel fresh and be eating clean.

Any advice from fellow vegans?

I'd recommend the Forks Over Knives film and recipe books if you're interested in health. I followed that quite strictly for a while and it's the healthiest diet I've ever had. Still vegan but a bit more relaxed about using a tbsp of oil every so often or having the odd processed foodstuff or takeaway.

There is plenty of vegan junk food available though, it's not all women laughing with salad

Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall Much More Veg, all the Anna Jones cookbooks (veggie not vegan, but loads of vegan options), Meera Sodha Fresh India (ditto) have enough delicious recipes to keep you going for months.
It's very easy to be vegan and not touch quorn or tofu if that's not your thing.
Life without cheese is fine, honestly.
Peanut butter and hummus and tahini are your friends when you're peckish.
Embrace Indian and Mideast and Mexican cooking - veg curries, tagines, lentil soups, falafels, veg chillies.
Swedish Glace ice-cream is very good.
Dark choc is very often vegan. So are crisps.
Eat vegan as much as you can, but if it's easier to be veggie when out/visiting, seriously don't beat yourself up.
Take B12. Probably Vit D in the winter.
Enjoy food!

I'm the op by the way...

WiggyPig - Thanks, I'll give that a watch. I've heard there is some great vegan junk food available, I really don't understand what all these women find so funny about salad lmaoo

valbona - Thanks I'll check them out Luckily, I love tofu, so that's a nice win. Never heard of tahini, I'll look into it definitely. I'll look forward to trying foods from all around. Pretty excited to get started!

Be willing to experiment. Google and Pinterest are your friend! I have yet to come up against a food I haven’t been able to veganise, from all my mum’s recipes from my childhood, to ‘fried chicken’ and hollandaise sauce... anything is possible.

Try all the different plant milks, it really comes down to personal taste. Same goes with vegan cheese - I’ll swear Tesco own brand is best, others swear it’s Asda.

Do your research on why you’re making the choice, because random people will challenge you all the time and it’s good to have answers!

Also, as PP said - don’t beat yourself up if you’re not perfect all the time. If you eat something and it turns out there’s milk powder in it, don’t worry! Be kind to yourself.