There is no doubt that taking on a vegan lifestyle has become an ever-increasing lifestyle change. Since there has been quite a bit of exposure of animal treatment in factory farms, chemical involvement in the foods we eat and the working conditions for the people who make our clothes, it’s easy to see why a lot of us are making the change. In this article, we’ll discuss how to switch to a vegan lifestyle, the benefits of a vegan diet and the importance of investing in vegan beauty products.

How to switch to a vegan lifestyle

Below is a short list of simple things you can change in your everyday life to make your transition into a vegan lifestyle much easier:

• Add to your diet before eliminating from it Do this by collecting and making vegan recipes that appeal to you most or try switching to non-dairy alternatives such as almond, rice, oat or soy milk – there’s a variety of choices available. You could also try drinking your tea or coffee without milk and really appreciate its natural lavor. Lastly, start incorporating more vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds and tofu into your diet and learn which foods provide the most nutrients.
• Find a reason and remember why you have decided to make this change There are a variety of reasons why people choose to lead a more vegan lifestyle. Most of the time it’s to do with making a difference in our health, environment and especially eradicating the mistreatment of animals. Remember, a lifestyle change is easier to stick to if you wholeheartedly believe in your decision.
• Put your money where your mouth is We live in a consumerist culture where support is demonstrated with money. When we buy a product, our money is not only showing support for the product but the morals and practices of that company too. For this reason, it’s important to be an educated consumer so that with every euro you spend, you know it’s supporting a business you believe in. If you feel a tinge of guilt in the thought of buying a certain item, do some solid research – and if you find the company’s goals don’t align with your own, simply walk away and don’t buy it.
  

 Benefits of a vegan diet

A healthy plant-based diet is packed with vitamins, magnesium and iron, and is low in cholesterol and saturated fats. This means a vegan diet can possibly reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity and some cancers, including prostate and colon cancer. The other obvious benefit is that by leading a vegan lifestyle, you will know you’re not contributing to animal cruelty. A lot of people describe themselves as lovers of dogs and/or cats, however this does not seem to expand to the sentient animals we use for food. Educate yourself in why we often turn a blind eye to the process in gathering meat and how factory farms often hide their processes. The hunter-gatherer world we once lived in is no longer the case today.

 How beauty products can be vegan too

We love to look after our skin and hair with quality ointments, creams, cleansers, scents and makeup. However, a devastatingly large amount of these products are often tested on animals. A way to avoid this is searching for certifications on the label or simply doing a quick Google search while you’re in the shop thinking about buying a product. For example, if you were to buy an N.A.E. product, you can quickly find N.A.E. online and when you hit the ‘Who we are’ button, you will instantly know that N.A.E. is a brand that does not test on animals and is a proud COSMOS organic certified brand. Otherwise, make a habit of researching items you need before you go out to buy it. This way, you’ll be less tempted to buy items you don’t need or morally support.