So You Want to Be a Vegan? Ask Yourself These Three Questions First

by Yolande Morris   

Four years ago, I made the decision to become a vegan. It was the beginning of the year and I had just completed the Daniel Fast and feeling on top of the world. For those of you who are unaware, the Daniel Fast is a 21-day fast based on the prophet Daniel’s spiritual and dietary experiences in the book of Daniel. According to the Bible, Daniel in an effort to reject the practices of the Babylonians and keep himself “pure” before the Lord,

“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.” – Daniel 1:8

“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:12-13

So, there I was, a modern-day Daniel-ella-ella-eh-eh-eh – I digress. I was feeling good, my stomach felt calm for the first time in a long time, and I’d even managed to lose a few pounds over my three-week stint. So, that’s when I had the bright idea to become a vegan. I made the decision solely based on how I felt upon completing the fast and dived headlong into my new dietary lifestyle clueless but filled with endless enthusiasm.

Needless to say, the next two-and-half years were filled with numerous ups and downs as I tried to maintain my vegan lifestyle while traveling each week for work, finishing up grad school and meeting with friends for brunch and dinner. I found myself gaining weight yet consistently hungry. It was a lose-lose situation for me.

So, here’s my advice to anyone who is thinking of adopting a vegan lifestyle – consider these three questions first:

What’s your reason or purpose for becoming a vegan?

While the health benefits of veganism are extoled by many bloggers and social media influencers like Tabitha Brown and Kim Julie Jensen (founder of @bestofvegan and @veganreset) was never intended to make you healthier but more ethical. The roots of veganism were first planted by ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras, who promoted benevolence among all species, believing that humans should not inflict pain on other animals. Yup, that’s right vegans don’t consume any animal products and don't wear any either. So, say hello to PETA and goodbye to leather, honey, wool, and more things that you didn’t know were made from animals.  

And, while many people choose to only stick to a vegan diet, it’s important to note that the purpose of veganism is not to make you healthier. So, while many people do lose weight on a vegan diet, many others do not. I was certainly in the “not” category because when “vegan” meals were in short supply while traveling, I had no other option than to reach for carbs like potatoes and French fries. Even salads were out of the question because most salads at restaurants are prepared with cheese and other dairy products.

 Is your environment, location, and/or lifestyle conducive to maintaining a vegan diet?

This brings me to the next thing you should know – depending on where you live, maintaining a vegan lifestyle can be extremely difficult. In places like New York and Los Angeles (the vegan Mecca), it is relatively easy to maintain that lifestyle (See my list of favorite vegan restaurants in NYC below.) But, if you travel a lot, especially to places in the Midwest or Europe, you may find it harder to get meat-free and dairy-free meals.

I’ll never forget flying to Detroit for a business trip and breaking down because there was nothing for me to eat at the airport or at my hotel. I finally found a Thai restaurant in town and settled on miso soup and eggplant basil. While Thai restaurants are good options for vegetarians, be forewarned that things like vegetable rolls are made with egg (egg rolls, duh), and many non-meat dishes are made in oyster sauce. You’ll also quickly learn as a vegan that even things like French fries are fried in animal fat at some restaurants. So, unless you are prepared to cook everywhere you go, make sure you do your research before traveling or moving to a new city. I’ve met so many former vegans who became that way because they moved to cities that made it impossible for them to continue their dietary lifestyle.

But, seriously, what about protein?

This was the question that everyone, including my mother, asked me when I became a vegan. I gave the common vegan reply which is, “Peas, Please!” But, again, everyone is different and while lentils and legumes are rich in protein, they don’t often equal the protein gained from consuming meat and dairy. And, personally, I hate soy-based protein options like seitan (pronounced Sa-tan, which tells you everything you need to know), tempeh, and nutritional yeast. I kept thinking, “why am I trying so hard to make food that tastes like meat but without the nutritional benefits of meat.” It just didn’t make any sense. Also, as someone who has a history of iron deficiency anemia  – I also struggled with nutrition deficiencies as a vegan. I tried taking supplements, used vegan protein powder in my smoothies, and even started eating more food to overcompensate but it ultimately led to weight gain because I never felt full.

This isn’t uncommon for vegans and it’s the main reason that I decided to switch to a plant-based diet while also incorporating fish and eggs back into my diet. However, I do still start each new year with the Daniel fast, and I do see the overall benefits of eating only fruits and vegetables for a limited time period. When that period is over, as a self-proclaimed plant-based pescatarian, I’ve found that by consuming lean fish and eggs, I meet my daily allowance of protein, which satisfies my body’s cravings (see chart below for the differences between vegan and plant-based lifestyles).

I would rather be true to my ultimate goal of living a healthy lifestyle than wear a label or identity that doesn’t afford me true health. Unlike what happened to popular vegan food influencer Yovana Mendoza, formerly known as Rawvana, who made headlines when she was caught eating fish on camera.  Her response to the backlash was that she was, “following my doctor’s advice … Honestly, I was just really scared. Part of it was, of course, that I had built my whole brand and platform around the vegan diet, and I didn’t really know who I was without that. I had been vegan for six years, and I had internalized the stigma that eating animal protein was bad and unhealthy and harmful.”

Understandably, popular food documentaries, like “What the Health” have popularized a vegan diet and there is a lot of misinformation in the media about what it means to truly eat healthily. I personally don’t like red meat and stopped eating beef and pork more than 20 years ago (hence my iron deficiency anemia). But, that doesn’t mean that red meat is bad or unhealthy for you – neither is poultry or fish. As my mom always says, “everything in moderation.” That’s why it’s so important to consult with a physician before beginning any new dietary plan, as they can give you advice on how to get your proper nutrients (learn more about nutrition deficiencies, here).

Also, don’t become a vegan or enter into it blindly because your favorite influencer recommends it and makes it look so easy. Remember that our bodies are all different and genetics and environment play a big role in how our bodies respond to certain foods and lifestyles. Finally, don’t forget that many of these influencers are paid by companies who make vegan products, so they are most likely motivated by their bank accounts and not your health.

So, if you’ve made it this far and your enthusiasm hasn’t worn off, here’s some good news – some of the best meals that I’ve ever had have been at vegan restaurants, which is why I continue to live a plant-based lifestyle that allows me to enjoy some of the benefits of a meat-free and dairy-free diet but also affords me the necessary nutrients from protein-rich sources like fish and eggs. If you live in New York or plan to visit once the pandemic is over, here are a few of my personal favorites for vegan and plant-based consumption:

ABC V – a plant-based, non-GMO, sustainable, artisanal, and organic restaurant that offers both vegan and vegetarian dishes from famed restauranteur Jean-Georges Vongerichten. I highly recommend the Mushroom Walnut Bolognese, Green Chickpea Hummus, and everything on the dessert menu.

Le Botaniste – I discovered this place because it’s a block away from my office in Midtown Manhattan and it quickly became my favorite lunchtime option. The menu is full of plant-based organic foods and wines that are both tasty and healthy. My favorites are the Spicy Chili Sin Carne, Red Beet Caviar, Green Pea Hummus, and the Tibetan Mama.

Dirt Candy – This is another vegan favorite, especially for their brunch menu. It wasn’t until I became a vegan that I realized some of my favorite brunch items are either made from dairy or eggs or both. So, that’s why finding Dirt Candy was such a treat because they made vegan versions of your favorite brunch staples like pancakes, waffles, omelets, and more. Their menu changes often, so be sure to check the website to see their current offerings.

JaJaJa Mexicana – If you love Mexican food, you’ll love this plant-based comida that is truly a vibe. Personal favorites include the Beet & Pumpkin Empanada, Coconut Queso Quesadilla, Guac Burger, and any of the Street Tacos. They also have an all-day brunch menu if you’re in the mood for pancakes and “eggs.”  

Seasoned Vegan – If you’re in the mood for soul food then this black-owned restaurant will hit the spot. My personal favorites include the Baked Mac & “Cheese,” Sweet Potato Souflee, and cupcakes, which are all gluten-free.

by CHLOE – a mostly vegan fast-food restaurant – so make sure you try the Guac Burger –  but I love Sweets by Chloe more than the original, especially when I’m in the mood for dairy-free cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. Beware of the calories as I stated earlier, eating vegan does not equal eating healthy.

I hope you enjoyed reading this and if you have your own vegan or plant-based story, please share it in the comments below. Also, share this article with someone who is considering a vegan diet.