Curious about making the switch to a vegan lifestyle? It might be easier than you think. While it can seem daunting and a major change, there are ways to make this transition seamless. Still not convinced? In honour of Earth Day, Earth’s In honour of Earth Day, Earth’s Own is asking Canadians to take The Plant Challenge and commit to eating plant-based on Earth Day (and ideally beyond – but let’s take it one day at a time).
To help you get started, we caught up with vegan blogger, YouTuber and cookbook author Sam Turnbull to challenge some of the myths and barriers associated with eating plant-based, along with tips for overcoming them!
See also: A Vegan Hawaiian BBQ Pizza Recipe
Here are the top vegan myths, debunked!
Myth #1: Will I get enough protein?
The easy answer is YES! This is a widespread misconception. All whole foods contain protein, and as long as you eat a variety of whole foods, you will easily get all the protein you need. For example, one of my favourite quick and easy protein-packed meals is Vegan Tofu Taco Crumbles. The tofu is seasoned with spices and then dried in the oven. This makes the tofu have a meaty chewy texture that is amazing. Load up a taco with your favourite toppings for an easy scrumptious meal.
Myth #2: For most people, there is one food that they can’t picture living without. For some, it’s a burger; for others, it’s cheese, but the one I hear most often, is coffee.
The good news is that these days there are plant-based alternatives to all your favourite foods. I couldn’t imagine starting my day without coffee, so I always make sure to have Earth’s Own Oat Barista on hand. It has a creamy taste and texture, and with a dollop of agave, it’s the perfect way to start my morning. If there’s a food you know you can’t live without, chances are, there’s an equally delicious plant-based alternative out there – all you have to do is search for it!
Myth #3: Figuring out how to feed families or picky eaters.
The truth is that eating plant-based doesn’t have to be light years different than the way you’re already eating now. The easiest way to transition to a plant-based diet is to sub your favourite meals with the plant-based version. So if your kids (or yourself) love mac & cheese, pizza and cookies – you can still eat all of those things, just swap for a plant-based version!
Even if your goal is to incorporate many more vegetables into your diet, don’t feel the need to go from a meat-based diet to eating nothing but smoothies and grain bowls. Make a slow transition, and you will find it a lot more sustainable and enjoyable.
Myth #4: Interestingly one of the most significant barriers to going plant-based isn’t food at all; it’s worrying what other people will think.
It’s funny, because if you feast on fast food, no one blinks an eye but tell people you want to eat more plants, and suddenly everyone is concerned about your nutrition. Instead of getting into an argument, try just speaking about why it’s important to you and how it makes you feel. It’s hard to argue with the idea of choosing plant-based to save the planet!
