If you’re used to a diet that includes meat and dairy, switching to a plant-based lifestyle can feel like a huge change. But don’t worry - we’ve got a few tips for sticking to your goals and staying motivated.
Read on to learn 5 top tips for staying vegan.
Tips On Staying Vegan
1. Keep on learning
Whether it’s food, exercise or self care, turning new behaviours into regular habits is the key to sticking to that change in the long term. So how do you build a new habit into your routine?
Repetition definitely helps, but the real foundation of a long-term habit is intrinsic motivation. That’s the motivation of doing it for you - no one else. We keep habits for longer when we’re motivated by an intrinsic goal, like feeling more energetic and having fun, rather than using extrinsic motivation (outside factors).
2. Enjoy a variety of foods
All diets, plant-based or otherwise, can get boring without a variety of ingredients, meals and flavours.It’s easy to fall into a rut of cooking the same meals over and over again, especially if you're rushed for time. Trying new dishes, whether at home or out at a restaurant, may reignite your love for veganism. If you are feeling restricted in your diet, make sure to include different types of foods, - healthy snacks are an easy way to do this!
Vegan Shopping List: A Guide For Beginners
Substitute your shopping with these cupboard essentials.
3. Connect with your motivation
Everyone’s motivation for following a plant-based lifestyle is different, and none are better or worse than the others. Reminding yourself why you made the switch, and reflecting on your goals and progress since then can help you stick with your new plant-based habits.
4. Keep on learning
When you first went vegan, the likelihood is that some level of research took place. Whether this was online articles, books, or documentaries, there was probably something that prompted you to make the switch. Sharing these resources with friends and family may help to increase support but may also be useful for you to remember why you became vegan in the first place. You may also learn something new in the process!
5. Find some like-minded people
Every journey is more fun with friends. Joining or building a community of other people following a plant-based diet might make it easier to stick to your goals - and you’ll enjoy it more. This could be in real life or over the internet, with old friends or new friends, whatever feels best to you.
Many towns and cities have vegan meet-up groups, and vegan markets are held up and down the country. Furthermore, some sports have vegan only groups (e.g. vegan runners). These groups often have social media pages, so take the plunge and reach out to see if you can join!
Take Home Message
We hope these tips help you stick to your plant-based lifestyle and keep motivated, no matter your reason for going vegan.
For more expert advice and vegan food suggestions, subscribe to the Myvegan email and download the app.
Check these out next:
Raven P. How many Britons will attempt a vegan diet and lifestyle in January 2023? [internet] YouGov. Dec 2022. Available from:
