My Vegan Story: How I Changed to a Plant-based Vegan Diet Overnight

My Vegan Story: How I switched to a vegan plant-based diet overnight.

On 17th March, 2016, I made the (what felt at the time) radical decision to completely change my diet overnight. I hadn’t even known the terms ‘vegan’ or ‘plant-based’ until probably about a month beforehand. No one in my family was even vegetarian, and I didn’t know any vegans in ‘real life’ at the time. It was a decision I put a lot of thought and research into and knew it was something I wanted to try.

Personally, I’ve found it helpful and encouraging to read about other people’s journeys to specific diets and lifestyles. I wanted to add my own perspective to the conversation about eating habits. Maybe you’ll be able to relate to some of my own story. Please know that I think the food we choose to eat is such a personal choice. We are all so different, unique, and individual. I never want to be preachy about the way I eat. I simply want to share how I discovered a way of eating that makes sense to me right now, that has helped change my relationship with food in the best way possible, and that I absolutely love.

So if you’re curious, here’s how it happened.

A Bit of Background

I grew up eating a lot of unhealthy foods. Eating out and getting take-aways was a common occurrence. Soda and crisps were daily staples in my diet. My eating habits looked a lot different to what they are now! My first experience of becoming aware of what I was putting into my body was probably watching the documentary ‘Supersize Me’. Have you seen it? We watched it in school and I immediately stopped going to McDonalds. That was a pretty big change for me – at the time I went to McDonalds a lot. But I still didn’t put much thought into nutrition.

Then I went to university, where a large meal plan and many late nights led to some weight gain in my first year. It was nothing drastic, but was enough to make me feel uncomfortable. So the following summer I went on a major health-kick. When I put my mind to something I can be pretty self-disciplined. Unfortunately, in this case it led to quite an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise. I became obsessed with reading about fitness routines and dieting, I went to the gym twice a day, and became extremely strict with what and how I ate. The next year was quite a stressful one for me, and food and exercise became aspects of my life I thought I could control when other things felt very much out of my control.

I feel very blessed that God placed a wonderful friend in my life at just the right time. Chatting to her towards the end of that year really helped me begin to see food as something to be enjoyed and not to be feared. I don’t talk much about that time period, but it was a big part of my journey that led me to where I am now – which is thankfully in a much different place with a vastly improved view of food and exercise.

Discovering Plant-Based Eating

For a few years I was happily enjoying food again. However, towards the end of 2015 I began struggling with fatigue, poor digestion, and other health problems. I saw doctors and got various tests, but nothing made a difference. Frustrated by the lack of direction and clarity, I decided to take matters into my own hands and did my own research into health and nutrition.

I first heard the term ‘plant-based’ on Niomi Smart’s YouTube Channel. She had just recently changed her own diet, and she mentioned the blog ‘Deliciously Ella’. I immediately read Ella’s own inspiring story, and started watching Ella’s and Niomi’s YouTube videos. It all made so much sense to me, but I felt reluctant to completely jump in. I remember wondering how on earth I would even start to change my diet. I really had no idea how to cook, and it was so different from how I’d eaten my whole life.

A New Chapter

On Thursday, 17^th March, after spending the morning at the doctor’s, I got home and sat in bed, feeling ill and a little bit sorry for myself. I pulled up YouTube and found a video called ‘101 Reasons to Go Vegan’. After watching it, I just knew my next meal wasn’t going to be the same. I had never really thought about where my food came from before, and I suddenly became aware of the great impact my food choices had. From that moment I decided to give plant-based eating a try.

The next day I went out and bought a little plant-based food haul. And I consumed as much information on plant-based eating as I could. I checked out ‘The China Study’ from my local library, and began watching all of Dr. Greger’s NutritionFacts.org’s YouTube videos. Slowly learning how to cook, I started making super simple plant-based meals for myself, that look pretty similar to the ones I still make today. I fell in love with the vibrant foods and colourful bowls, and began to feel positive health benefits right away. I haven’t looked back since!

For me, one of the most amazing parts of going plant-based was the immediate freedom it gave me in my relationship with food. It might sound a bit ironic, since on the surface it may look like I’m restricting my diet even more than before. But for the first time I felt so unrestricted in how I ate. I began discovering new foods, recipes, and creative ways of putting together meals. Honestly, I eat a much wider range of foods now than ever before. And I found a lifestyle that embraced abundance, not restriction; I now see food as something to nourish and fuel.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. My health isn’t perfect and I’m constantly learning, growing, and striving to learn better balance in life. But I do love the way I eat.

My Advice for Transitioning to a Plant-Based Diet

• Do your research – Read books and scientifically-backed studies; find inspiration through blogs, recipe books, and social media.
• Personalise your approach – One way does not fit all. For lots of people, transitioning slowly is a great way to do it!
• Find some staple meals – Pick out some simple recipes and meals to get you started that you know you can make and that you love.
• Plan ahead and stock up – It’s much easier to eat plant-based when your kitchen is fully stocked with loads of fresh and delicious whole plant-based foods!
• Don’t be afraid to use vegan substitutes – Mock meats, dairy-free cheeses, mylks, etc. can all be great options for familiar staples while you’re transitioning. We live in a time where more and more exciting products are coming out all the time.
• Find some foodie friends – It has been incredible to get to know people in the vegan community, many of whom have become wonderful friends that I love to hang out with – often over delicious food of course.
• Be kind to yourself – Don’t beat yourself up if you make a mistake, or eat something you didn’t mean to. Just look ahead to the next meal or snack.
• It doesn’t have to be all or nothing – Personally I feel that even if you’re not interested in eating completely plant-based vegan all the time, incorporating more whole plant foods into your diet is almost always a very good thing!

Further Resources

Check out my Veganuary Blog Series:

• My Top Vegan Resources
• Ultimate Guide to Eating Plant-based on a Budget
• My Vegan Food Staples
• Breakfast Staple Meals
• Lunch Staple Meals
• Dinner Staple Meals
• Snacks and Sweets
• Natural Vegan Beauty Products
• Natural Vegan Beauty: Facial Skincare