What Was Your Biggest Challenge as a New Vegan?

[TheVeganVibes]

Making the switch to a vegan lifestyle comes with its own set of challenges. For me, the hardest part was dealing with social situations, explaining my choices to family and friends, and finding something to eat at gatherings. It took some time, but I’ve learned how to navigate it! In fact, I have convinced many people along the way to eat more plant-based foods!

What was the biggest challenge for you when you first went vegan? How did you overcome it? Let’s share tips and experiences!

Being allergic to nuts.

I lasted a year and went back to being a vegetarian. Unfortunately it became too stressful and time consuming to continue.

Nuts are such a big part of your diet if you become vegan. I understand why it is impossible for you to stay vegan.

I get it! I am vegan almost 99 percent of the time but sometimes I have no choice but to be flexible.

In what situations would you have 'no choice'?

The guilt of the transition period. One reason I stopped drinking was I kept eating things when totally hammered that I would never eat sober.

It gets easier, don't put pressure on yourself to do it overnight.

Some religious occasions and when you are sailing with friends.

My biggest challenge was Cheese. Everything else I could cope with but I missed cheese so much and the vegan cheese was 🤮
But I was told to go cold turkey (😆) on cheese and not eat it for a month then the vegan cheese would taste ok. And it did. And I love it now. I do try to stick to non UPFs but vegan cheese is my downfall.

I wouldn’t attend. I wouldn’t expect anyone to compromise their religion for me and I wouldn’t compromise my principles regarding animals for anyone.

I’ve been vegan for 25 years and I find everything much easier compared to how it was years ago. Some people’s attitudes are still as bad though. Simply ordering a vegan meal seems to upset some people so that’s probably the most challenging thing.

Dealing with stupid comments

I've found the stigma difficult. It's like I'm expected to justify my position but then if I do, I'm accussed of preaching.

Also medication, I've spoke to my Dr numerous times about meds prescribed being vegan friendly and could it be flagged on my records.
Also the pharmacy to check before dispensing, but I still get given medication with animal products in, only for these to need to be changed.

Suddenly craving and then eating steak when pregnant with DC 1 and then after giving birth not doing it again, despite becoming pregnant again 5 months post partum and breastfeeding 2 small children. Nearly 20 years later and really suffering with the menopause I suddenly find myself with the same cravings!! Really strong cravings it's very strange

Getting enough protein. And kids constantly asking when I’ll stop being vegan 😂. Both are a work in progress but I only started in January

it wasn't entirely my choice to be honest, and I tend to refer to myself as plant-based since it's entirely dietary for me rather than a lifestyle. I'd been veggie for many years but investigations into ever worsening migraines revealed milk, or specifically certain proteins in it, as a key trigger. Eggs are not my friends either. It's been eye opening to find just how many products contain milk or milk proteins - even a lot of vegetarian food - but I've found some new foods, like tempeh, which I love but never would have tried otherwise. Fortunately my family have been really supportive because they knew just how bad the migraines were affecting me and I've barely had any since cutting out the milk and eggs. My hubby, ironically, is basically a carnivore so we've always eaten separate meals anyway and he's careful not to cross-contaminate. He can't do eggs, either.

I really miss proper cheese, though. I used to love a seriously mature cheddar or a Stilton with fruit in it and while the vegan stuff is on in/on stuff it's not the same.

I can see I’ve already answered this thread but thought I’d come back to say 6 months in I’m finding it really easy. Don’t miss anything now. Getting enough protein still my biggest challenge (but I do need more as I workout normally 2 hours a day).

just wanted to add I found a channel on YouTube called those vegan guys and I think it was watching them when it really clicked into place for me. Their food is so normal (to me) and they do lots of supermarket vegan hauls too.

I've been gradually going this way for a long time, from meat eating to "pescatarian", to vegetarian, now all that's remaining is eggs. I don't know how I'm going to let go of eggs, so for the time being I call myself "vegan adjacent"😂

I think this is a great time to do it as restaurants cater for plant based meals, there are vegan restaurants, and the focus is on flavour and really good food.