As a native Texan and lover of all food covered in meat and cheese, I never thought I could go vegan. Now, even after four months without it, I haven’t even missed eating animal products. The main reason for choosing this often difficult lifestyle has to do with the environment.
A study from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations indicates that the livestock sector creates more greenhouse gasses than that of transportation. That’s right, animals account for more carbon emissions than all the cars, planes, trains, boats, etc. in the entire world.
Knowing this fact for a while, I had long contemplated going vegan, but I had no earthly idea of where to start. If you feel the same way, don’t worry. Here are five tips for going vegan for the environment.
1. Try going vegan one day a week
Ease yourself into it by committing to eat a plant-based diet only one day a week. This way, you can ease yourself into it rather than just quitting cold turkey (pun intended). After a month, you can work your way up to two days a week. Then the next month, you do three. You get the idea; work your way up to it!
2. learn to cook at home
I know, I know. Cooking can be tedious and hard to learn. But if you are going to succeed in going vegan, you need to know how to cook healthy meals for yourself at home. Not only is this a quick and easy way to save money but it will also help you figure out what kinds of vegan foods you love! Check out some cheap, easy and delicious vegan meals here.
3. skip the almond milk
Almond milk is a delicious and popular alternative to dairy milk, but it is actually taking quite a toll on the environment. Instead, try buying other nondairy alternatives such as oat milk, coconut milk or cashew milk. Or even better, try making your own.
4. try a Mediterranean diet INSTEAD
If going full vegan is too hard, you can still make slight changes to your diet to impact the environment. Eating a Mediterranean diet comprised mostly of vegetarian meals with white meat twice a week and red meat once a month. The environmental impact of this diet is comparable to that of a vegetarian diet. So you can still eat the foods you love without taking a toll on the planet!
5. REMEMBER WHY YOU STARTED
Whenever I am tempted to eat that burger or have a bite of cheese, I always remember why I went vegan in the first place. To me, protecting the environment is much more important than my food preferences. Eating a vegan diet is one way I try to make a difference every day.
For more information about why going vegan is good for the environment, check out this CNN article.
Written by: Katherine Bingham
Edited by: Caitlin Villalobos