I’m far too much of an optimist to refer to February as ‘national quitters month’, but according to Forbes, sadly 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by this time every year. Whether it’s committing to an improved diet, financial portfolio, or the increasingly popular Veganuary, for most people, 31 days is more than enough time to be uncomfortable. The reality is that many of us start with the greatest intentions, yet the stamina to sustain our goals just isn’t there.
While I can’t offer advice in every category of New Year aspirations; as a plant-based nutritionist, with more than a decade of experience, I have witnessed some really interesting ‘change stories’ and have researched the most common barriers to transitioning to a plant-based diet. So, if you’re considering exploring a vegan diet beyond January, the following tips might give you the motivation and resilience to continue through the rest of the year…and hopefully beyond!
1. Always eat what you enjoy.
When starting a new diet, I think that somewhere in our subconscious, we whisper to ourselves, ‘Okay Self, get ready to eat some really tasteless, boring food…but it’s for a good cause!’ Because of the common myth that healthy food is not meant to be appealing or desirable, we often feel a sense of sacrifice, loss, deprivation and ultimately a longing for our favourite meals! This martyr mentality unfortunately sets us up for failure because it goes against the fundamental reasons why humans make daily food choices, which are primarily around preference and enjoyment. In fact, several years ago, I asked 334 people what they felt was currently stopping them from choosing a vegetarian diet, and the most common response was simply the ‘enjoyment of meat’. That means that regardless of the reward, most people are not willing to let go of their favourite things….at least not for very long.
So, my proposal to you this year is to embrace the concept of enjoyment and completely abandon the idea of eating tasteless food. Today there are more amazing, flavourful vegan options than ever before. Some will be great, and others might not be to your liking…and that’s okay, but tell yourself that the enjoyment of food is non-negotiable; so keep sampling, tasting and exploring until you know which options you enjoy most. Soon you’ll have a great catalogue of veggie favourites to build upon!
2. Buddy up!
Starting a new diet on your own can be a lonely road that often feels like more of a punishment than a new adventure, which explains why the second most common barrier to transitioning to a plant-based diet found in my research was the influence of family and friends. In fact, nearly half of the survey respondents told me that social factors such as eating differently or cooking differently for those around them was a major deterrent to a diet change. It appears that it’s not just the taste of food that people crave, but the experience of sharing food with loved ones in a nurturing social environment.
I can personally relate to this barrier, because when I switched to a vegetarian diet years ago, I stood out like a sore thumb at family gatherings, especially during holidays when we were all used to enjoying traditional meals together. I’ve now learned to navigate those awkward moments by being the one with the trays of interesting vegan options to try… but in the early days, my saving grace was that I had a few friends who were exploring a plant-based lifestyle with me. We were sharing recipes, venturing out to vegan restaurants together and always on the hunt for new tasty alternatives. Starting my journey with friends was a lot of fun and provided the support I needed to stay focused on all the positive outcomes I was experiencing with my new diet. Community provides us with strength, motivation and the accountability to achieve our goals; so even if you start out with just one buddy, you will find that your vegan circle will eventually expand, and you will all enjoy building a new lifestyle together.
3. Create a tool kit.
There’s an old quote by Benjamin Franklin that I often repeat to myself when tackling a new challenge: ‘Those who fail to prepare, prepare to fail.’ Over the years, I’ve watched so many people enter into a plant-based journey without a plan, and sadly, they often get frustrated pretty quickly because they haven’t thought about the tools that they will need to be successful. Even with the greatest intentions, it’s super hard to go plant-based on a Monday without any idea of what you’ll actually enjoy eating throughout the week. Creating a plan that closely matches your current routine is a great place to start. Are you a pasta lover? Do you regularly enjoy a taco night with family and friends? Is pizza something that you just can’t live without? Well instead of starting with a list of gourmet vegan recipes that don’t appeal to you, be sure you have some go-to vegan versions of your current meals…and don’t forget your snacks! Having about 10 familiar recipes, which include breakfast, lunch and dinner meals can go a very long way. As the months go by, you will slowly add to this list as you try new things, and your tool kit will eventually grow into a portfolio of amazing vegan favourites!
If you would like some hands-on support, advice, personalised recipes and training over a four-week period, why not sign up for our upcoming programme ‘The Plant Party’. This online programme is specifically designed for those who are tired of diets and would like to learn how to build a healthy sustainable lifestyle. If you’ve ever joined a Swap Meat programme or event before, you know that nutrition is our priority, but fun is always on the menu! I can’t wait to see you there. Click the button below to learn more about The Plant Party!