I Went Vegan and Stayed

I was in my early thirties when simple, everyday tasks would start to wear me out. Walking my dog began to feel like a chore and losing my breath after ascending a single flight of stairs was becoming normal; I was even having trouble fitting into my clothes.

I always believed in the power of dieting and exercise, but I was never committed enough to give it a try, even with all the different diets trending on TV and social media. When it came to battles with mental health, I have certainly run the gamut with doctor prescribed antidepressants and antianxiety medications, having mixed results with both. Always on the search for that extra little “something” to help me feel better, I was amazed when I discovered that veganism would be that extra something.

I considered a vegan diet following in the footsteps of my wife Andrea, who had already been vegan for about seven years and vegetarian eight years before that. She was also in school studying to become a registered dietitian and would be my first educational introduction into understanding the benefits of a vegan diet.

When I started my transition into veganism, I was a little nervous, not so much about the questioning from coworkers and friends that was sure to come my way, but for basic concerns like what I was I supposed to eat and where I would find this food. I had a couple of “slip-ups” in my early stages, mainly due to an unwillingness to give up the convenience of fast food and Chinese takeout. I made a lot of excuses that I couldn’t find something to eat other than salad and French fries; so, I went back to meat and dairy. Many vegans have trouble adjusting at first, especially if they live in a rural area where restaurants and grocery stores may not offer vegan options.

To help me stay grounded and stick to my diet I used social media and word-of-mouth to connect with other vegans in Western New York. With the help of Instagram and a few vegan-themed hashtags, I was introduced to an entire world of vegan selections, including an all-vegan grocery store in North Tonawanda, appropriately called The Vegan Grocery Store, multiple vegan-friendly diners like Amy’s Place and The Red Fern and an all-vegan donut shop in Buffalo called Fry Baby Donuts.

It was very exciting to go grocery shopping and finally have choices. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of vegan options available, but I quickly learned that just because something is vegan, that doesn’t necessarily make it healthy. Andrea pointed out that while many alternatives to meat—veggie burgers, meatless bacon, faux chicken nuggets and patties, for instance—can simplify meal planning, “they tend to be high in sodium. People transitioning to a vegan diet should try to stick to whole-plant foods, making sure to include proteins like beans, legumes, nuts, tofu and tempeh at every meal.”

Soup is an easy meal to make that is both inexpensive and packed full of nutrients. At least twice a month, my wife and I will make a large batch of soup, rotating the ingredients we use. For the liquid base, we really love a classic vegetable broth, which is easily made with fresh carrots, onions, celery and fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary and sage. Choosing the “guts” of the soup is my favorite part because it’s a great way to declutter the pantry and use up any refrigerator leftovers. To bulk up the soup and boost protein, we usually add kidney beans or lentils, which are full of fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants and low in unhealthy saturated fats. Leafy greens like kale and collard greens give the soup some color and are full of vitamins and minerals. Adding in whole-grain pasta, quinoa, barley or farro is a delicious alternative to white pasta.

If you’re considering a vegan diet, I would recommend that you do your research. And one of the most important things that you should do if you decide to make the switch is to make friends with as many other vegans as possible, as you will without a doubt need their support time and time again.

On April 17th, 2019, I’ll be vegan for two years, as well as sober. In that short time, not only has my mood greatly improved, but I’ve lost extra weight. Getting back to where I want to be regarding my physical and mental health was not something that happened overnight; it took a lot of patience, practice and forgiving myself for making poor choices. I was able to stay committed to a vegan lifestyle that without a doubt changed my life; I’ve also been fortunate to have a loving and supportive wife in my corner, who happens to be a registered dietitian. Today, I have all the tools I need that allow me to wake up every morning and genuinely feel better about myself.