How to Start Your First Plant-Based Diet
Any time you switch to a new way of eating, it can be a big process. However, when you 
make a big switch like going completely plant-based and vegan, it often feels very 
intimidating. We have simplified the process by showing you some of the first things to 
do when transitioning to more of a plant-based way of eating. 

Know WHY You Are Going Vegan
You should always start a plant-based or vegan diet by understanding your own 
motives. There is no wrong way to choose this way of eating, but think about the main 
benefits and your own personal motivation. Even though you know it is great for the 
environment, this might not be your personal reason, and that’s okay. But to stay 
motivated, you have to find YOUR reason for going plant-based, whether it is for 
physical health, better skin, longevity, or moral reasons. 

Vegetables Should Be the Star
Before you transition fully to a plant-based diet, start adding more plant-based foods in. 
Do this slowly instead of going straight to a vegan diet. Don’t take anything away just 
yet, but just add in more vegetables to each meal. If you’re making mac and cheese for 
lunch, make it with loads of broccoli. If you love spaghetti, put more veggies in your 
sauce. Love eggs? Make a scramble with onions, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Make 
vegetables the star of every meal, gradually having more vegetables and less meat 
products every day. 

Transition Slowly with Plant-Based Foods You Enjoy Now
When you begin transitioning to a plant-based diet, first make a list of vegan foods you 
eat now that you enjoy a lot. These will be the first foods you come to rely on, though 
you will also add more nuts and seeds, grains, legumes, beans, and vegetables, to 
ensure you are getting adequate nutrition. Maybe you love spaghetti squash soup or 
your favorite salad dressing is oil and vinegar. This is great news because these are 
plant-based foods! Start here before venturing out and trying new things. 

Learn About Nutrients You Need
Finally, make sure you are aware of the nutrients you need to focus on with your vegan 
meals. When you eat an animal-based diet, you get a lot of your iron, calcium and 
protein from meat and dairy, but this is different when you are consuming all plant-
based foods. You can still get the nutrients you need, but you need to be even more 
careful with having a balanced diet. This includes understanding what foods contain all 
the vitamins and minerals you need, like adding a combination of vegetables and fruits 
with whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes and beans, and other ingredients.

