We live in a society where if there is no meat, it turns out that you haven’t had enough. Why do we think in such a way and can we eat without meat?
If someone is reading this now for whom meat is an indispensable part of every meal, then the thought of being able to eat without meat is unimaginable, but not so long ago, back when my grandparents were at the age I am now, meat was it was not eaten every day, but was a luxury eaten on Sundays and holidays. Refrigerators and freezers became part of the household only about a hundred years ago, and until then, meat consumption was truly rare.
Apart from the fact that refrigerators were a rarity, shops were also a rarity. So people mostly ate what they grew themselves, and food really had to be worked for. Today the situation is quite different. About ten minutes from our own homes, there are shops whose freezers are full of meat and meat products, and getting food is no longer as “difficult” as it used to be.
What does it mean to be vegan?
Although mostly used in the context of nutrition, veganism is, first and foremost, a way of life that seeks to exclude any form of animal exploitation for food, cosmetics, clothing, or anything else.
As for the vegan diet itself, it is based on foods of plant origin – fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and cereals – and in addition to protecting the health of the individuals who use it, the vegan diet also protects the lives of animals and has a positive effect on the environment. This is confirmed by numerous studies, as well as by the fact that the number of people who follow a vegan diet increases significantly from year to year.
Parallel to the increase in followers of the vegan diet, the supply of vegan products in stores is also growing. Increasingly, vegan versions of food products such as vegan milk and cheese, vegan burgers, salami and ice cream can be found on store shelves. Also, almost every traditional dish that we are used to can be prepared in a vegan version – the internet is full of recipes and ideas for vegan pizzas, cakes, spreads and many other dishes, and it often turns out that these vegan versions are faster, simpler and even cheaper than original.
How to be vegan?
Regardless of whether you have encountered a vegan diet before or are just thinking about it, switching to a vegan diet can seem “difficult”, especially if you are an “everything” eater. Suddenly stopping eating meat and fish and eggs and milk and everything of animal origin can truly be “difficult”, but that is no reason not to give veganism a chance. If you are a person who is thinking about switching to a vegan diet and for whom everything seems too much to wear, go for it. To begin with, you can eliminate one group of foods – cheeses, for example. After a month, you can eliminate fish and so, little by little, you can switch to a vegan diet without making the transition difficult for you.
Over time, vegan alternatives will become worthy replacements for many classic dishes Nothing in life is absolute, and neither should nutrition. Being 100% vegan may be difficult, but it’s not impossible. However, in addition to pure veganism, there are milder versions of vegetarianism, and with numerous options, I believe that everyone can find an option that suits them.
Although I personally eat according to the principles of a vegan diet, sometimes I find myself in situations where for some reason I consume foods of animal origin and, okay, it’s not the end of the world. Even such occasional “excursions” to non-vegan foods are better than daily consumption of them. Also, I used to encounter the thoughts of individuals that a vegan diet is expensive, complicated and tasteless. Read my recipes and see for yourself that they can be simple, quick and nutritious at the same time!