How to Go Vegan for a Month
By going vegan for a month, you could experience improved heart and vascular health, blood sugar control, and bowel health (US News). You could also reduce your risk of cancer and reduce joint pain, all in a month. Imagine the benefits of eating a plant-based lifestyle forever - yeah, they are even better. A plant-based diet has the power to change your health and literally change the world. Even eating vegan for a month makes a huge difference in your footprint, trees cut down, water consumption, and the lives you save. On average, in the US, you use 80 - 100 gallons of water a day (USGS). By going vegan for a month, you save more water than you would most likely use in a whole year. If you take the average of that estimate (90 gallons)/33,000 gallons, you get 366.66667. I hope that this point alone demonstrates the power you have as an individual and the impact you could make by going vegan - even if only for a month.
Plan
To go vegan for a 'month, you're going to need a plan. I do not expect anyone to go vegan cold turkey for a month and succeed without a plan. You don't even realize the number of animal products you consume until you try to cut them out. Luckily, more and more vegan options are popping up in grocery stores around the US. I suggest trying some of these options or planning out where you can get them before attempting to go vegan. It's vital to your success that you meal plan and have ideas and recipes for an entire month of eating a plant-based diet.
A month is a long time when you eat 3 meals a day, plus snacks and drinks. You don't want to be eating the same three things all month long because then you'll hate it and blame it on veganism when really you were unprepared! To prepare and help with this, I suggest following a vegan food blogger, YouTuber, or influencer. There are so many of them these days. Also, check out my previous post on accidentally vegan foods. ;) I'm sure that you can find at least whose recipes you vibe with. After you find recipes, start making them occasionally to practice before the big month.
Eating Out
Part of what makes being vegan difficult at times is how complicated it can get eating out or even eating at someone else's house. You would be surprised at the number of things that have animal products in them, like chips and syrups. My two tips for when you're not in control of what is going into your food or drink are to ask if something is vegan and to get used to making substitutions. Most restaurants, coffee shops, or cafes are becoming more aware of their products and offering vegan options. Although not all of them do, and it really is on a case-by-case basis. For example, caramel syrup always depends on the place and type that they use. Some are completely vegan, while others contain milk or milk derivatives, making them not vegan. I also recommend trying out local vegan options on your month-long journey.
Vegan food is amazing when done right, and you don't want to miss out on the amazing foods out there. Trying new things and visiting new places will make your vegan month. So much more enjoyable and exciting. Not to mention, you'll hopefully want to go to these places again. Plus, eating at local vegan restaurants and cafes supports your local businesses!!!!
Learn
One of the most important lessons I've learned while being vegan is that it really is a learning experience. It's okay to mess up and eat something that isn't vegan, and it does not make you any less vegan. I still do it this day because sh*t happens, and you can't control everything that happens. Additionally, learn about new foods, especially fruits and veggies, while eating vegan for a month. I have diversified the foods I eat while going vegan, and I love it. A plant-based diet really opened my eyes to how good vegetables and other things can be. I'm more open to learning about all the great plants out there, and it's been so much better for me. I know that my diet would be significantly worse if I didn't decide to go vegan, but it was and is a learning experience. Don't shy away from learning about your food and learning it's okay not to be perfect - even when going vegan!
Being a vegan for a month should be a challenge, but it should also be a learning experience. You should enjoy and appreciate the delicious produce that exists in that time period. I highly encourage you to think of meals that you would love to incorporate into your daily life, even when the month is over. Hopefully going vegan for. a month opens your eyes to the world of veganism and encourages you to do it more often!
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or if any fellow vegans have more tips. :)