Veganism: Then and Now

Being vegan no longer has to mean less attractive clothes, struggling to find food you can eat, or limiting yourself to salad and vegetables. Tha…

I don’t remember where I was or how old I was the first time I heard the word ‘vegan’. I do, however, remember the way vegans were. In the early 2000s, the word vegan brought to mind ugly shoes, angry men and women, PETA protests, and endless plates of vegetables. That image has long changed. When we think of vegans now, we think of Gisele Bündchen, Zac Efron, and Miley Cyrus. These people are a world away from the old vegan image.

Being vegan no longer has to mean less attractive clothes, struggling to find food you can eat, or limiting yourself to salad and vegetables.

Thanks to recent innovations and society as a whole becoming more embracing of veganism, living a vegan lifestyle is a heck of a lot easier.

Eating out…

In LA

Cafe Gratitude LA is definitely a vegan hotspot. Whether you’re eating breakfast, lunch or dinner they’re sure to have something you’ll enjoy. As one person said “you won’t even notice it’s vegan”.

In New York

Blossom on Columbus
If, like me, the idea of never eating a burger again leaves you feeling very, very sad, don’t fear! Blossom on Columbus (along with its sister restaurant Blossom on Ninth) have a great vegan burger that’s sure to hit the spot. They have a whole host of other options you’re sure to love too!

Anywhere

The hardest thing about eating out when you’re vegan is that animal products have a sneaky way of appearing in foods you wouldn’t expect. Most restaurants mark vegan and vegetarian foods, but if you happen to be at a place that doesn’t, don’t be afraid to ask. If you’re really pushed, you can look at non-vegan meal items and see if you can sub out animal products, and check out side-dishes too- there tend to be a lot that are unintentionally vegan, e.g. fries, but once again, ask to be sure.

Dining in
If you’re new to veganism or just starting to consider it as a lifestyle, then trying to find things to ‘replace’ meat and other animal products can feel challenging. Here are some quick tips if you’re in this position:

1 – Try something new

It can actually be harder to find substitutes; we recommend trying whole new dishes – it’s an opportunity to experiment after all!

2 – Go Mediterranean

Sauces are something that you might miss, considering how many of them are dairy-based. When you’re thinking about sauces, think Mediterranean: oil-based sauces, hummus, baba ghanoush, puréed vegetables and beans, and nuts – you can still achieve tasty creamy consistencies without cream.

3 – Don’t do it alone

Here at Lifesum, we’ve created a Vegan for a Week plan packed with tips on how to live a healthy vegan lifestyle, fun vegan recipes, and all you need to start a journey towards veganism. Download the app today and try the new plan!

All of the content and media on Lifesum is created and published for information purposes only. It is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Users should always consult with a doctor or other health care professional for medical advice. If you have or think you are at risk of developing an eating disorder, do not use the Lifesum app and seek immediate medical help.