{"id":74354,"date":"2020-09-14T11:27:27","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T10:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veganuary.com\/eating-guides\/getting-started\/"},"modified":"2024-12-03T19:37:32","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T19:37:32","slug":"getting-started","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/veganuary.com\/en-za\/eating-guides\/getting-started\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Started"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Getting started<\/h1>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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We’ve got your back<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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What is veganism?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Veganism is often defined by what we don\u2019t eat: meat, fish, eggs and dairy, plus some of the animal ingredients that are hidden away in products, such as whey (from milk) and gelatine (from animal bones).   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But really, we should focus on all the great stuff that vegans do eat. And in reality, the difference isn\u2019t all that huge. Instead of\u00a0 meaty burgers, sausage and steaks, we eat plant-based versions. Instead of dairy cheese on a pizza or cows\u2019 milk in our coffee, we choose the plant-based versions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For almost every animal-derived ingredient and product, there is now a vegan alternative, and this means that a vegan\u2019s meal may look and taste exactly like a non-vegan\u2019s meal, it just doesn\u2019t come with the animal suffering, or the same environmental impact.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Our top ten tips to get you started <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. It\u2019s all in the planning! <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t wake up on the first day of your vegan adventure without having thought about what you might eat! Ahead of time, have a think about your first day\u2019s meals and buy plant milk for your breakfast and coffee or tea, some dairy-free butter for toast or sandwiches, and something tasty for your dinner.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people find making a weekly meal planner helpful, so they always know what they need to shop for and what they will be eating. Here are some ideas to get you started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breakfast<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Toast<\/strong> \u2013 with vegan butter, peanut butter, yeast extract, jam, hummus, avocado, sliced tomato, or dairy-free cheese <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oatmeal<\/strong> \u2013 with your choice of plant milk. Add seeds, nuts and fruits <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breakfast cereals<\/strong> \u2013 with dairy-free milk or yogurt. Add seeds, nuts and fruit <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full<\/strong> \u2013 vegan sausages and bacon, scrambled tofu, hash browns, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms and baked beans <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tea, coffee and fruit juice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunch<\/strong>  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Soup and roll<\/strong> \u2013 homemade or shop-bought <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sandwiches and wraps<\/strong> \u2013 homemade (vegan BLT; cheese and pickle; \u2018ham\u2019 and mustard; hummus and carrot) or shop-bought <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pasta salad or a hot pasta dish <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacket potato with salad, dairy-free cheese, baked beans or chilli, or make a delicious vegan tuna salad  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sushi<\/strong> \u2013 homemade or shop-bought<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dinner <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pizza<\/strong> \u2013 with vegan cheese, ham and chorizo, sundried tomatoes, basil, sweetcorn, artichoke, olives and capers, pineapple, jalape\u00f1os <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spaghetti Bolognese<\/strong> \u2013 made with lentils or soya mince, or a combination <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curry<\/strong> \u2013 Thai, Indonesian, Indian, Bangladeshi, or \u2018veganise\u2019 your old favourite recipe <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burger in a bun with a fresh green salad <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chilli non carne with nachos, refried beans and guacamole <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bangers and mash with fresh vegetables, gravy and mustard <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steak and chips<\/strong> \u2013 yes, there are now vegan steaks available! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look out for accidentally vegan foods <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are so many everyday foods that just happen to be vegan, so open up your cupboard and take a look. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pasta, rice, peanut butter and Marmite, most breads, tinned tomatoes, chickpeas and kidney beans, jam and marmalade, coconut milk, curry pastes, tomato puree, baked beans, many crisps, crackers and biscuits, herbs and spices, many gravy granules, tea, coffee and fruit juice…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a good chance that half the foods you already eat are vegan!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Ease yourself in<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to reinvent your whole eating habits. If you like a sausage sandwich, have one \u2013 just make sure the sausages are vegan. If you want ice cream, go ahead. There are dozens of different delicious flavours out there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can have almost everything you had before in a vegan version, so just switch like for like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Veganise your favourite dishes <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Again, there is no need to adopt a whole new eating regime. If your signature dish is lasagne, make a vegan version with soya mince and plant milk for the b\u00e9chamel. If you love a morning fry-up, you can make it with vegan bacon and sausages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you cook curries, casseroles, soups, stews, pies and pasties, roast dinners, cakes, desserts or anything else, simply veganise it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. When you\u2019re ready, branch out <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people find that eating vegan opens up a whole new world of recipes and ingredients, and rekindles their love of great food. Once you\u2019ve got the hang of the basics, why not jump in and try some brand-new recipes (there are thousands online) and see if it ignites your culinary passions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Keep snacks to hand <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t get caught out! It\u2019s really easy to pick up vegan snacks in most places but not everywhere, so make sure you keep a bag of nuts, a chocolate bar or some fruit in your bag or car just in case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. HappyCow <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like eating out? Download the HappyCow app<\/a> onto your phone and let it guide you to your nearest restaurant, caf\u00e9 or shop where you can find vegan food wherever you are in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Find your community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy to feel isolated but there are millions of us out there. Find your local vegan meetup group and make like-minded friends in real life or search online for vegan groups that interest you. From vegan runners to bakers to knitters; from vegan weightlifters to fashionistas to activists. They\u2019re all there waiting for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Be kind to yourself  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Everyone makes mistakes. Whether you ate something non-vegan accidentally or simply gave in to temptation, it\u2019s OK. It doesn\u2019t mean you are no longer vegan; it just means you are human! Chalk it up to experience and move forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Want to know more? Try vegan with us and you\u2019ll receive the Official Veganuary Starter Kit, as well as our celebrity e-cookbook, for free!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Try Veganuary<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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