Veganism didn’t hand me instant clarity or glowing skin—it handed me a blood sugar rollercoaster and a lesson in humility.
Trading my leather boots for lentils sounded simple enough.
I’d read the glowing testimonials: clearer skin, boundless energy, moral high-ground points.
So, half fuelled by curiosity and half by guilt after one too many documentary nights, I jumped into veganism expecting a straight-line climb to “better.”
Instead, the journey turned out to be a switch-back trail packed with unexpected highs, awkward lows, and the occasional detour through the snack aisle at midnight.
Below is what really happened, why it mattered, and how you can dodge a few of my rookie mistakes.
Going vegan redefined “healthy”
“It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that appropriately planned vegetarian, including vegan, diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits…”
Sounds like a win, right? I certainly thought so.
What I didn’t grasp was the small print hiding in plain sight: appropriately planned.
My version of “healthy” had been a predictable plate—grilled chicken, quinoa, spinach, repeat. Take away the chicken and, suddenly, I was over-relying on bagels and almond-milk lattes.
Within a week I felt lighter in one sense (hello, shorter grocery receipts) but heavier in another (my blood sugar yo-yoed like an indie-rock crowd surfer).
Questions I wish I’d asked sooner:
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Am I swapping protein for refined carbs?
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Did I just replace saturated fat with straight-up sugar?
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Where’s the color on my plate?
Lesson: “Healthy” isn’t a static label. It shifts when you pull entire food groups out of the equation.
My energy tanked before it soared
Ever sprinted up a hill only to realize you started too fast? The first fortnight on plants felt like that.
Mornings were foggy; afternoons required double espresso back-ups. A friend—Tri-athlete turned tofu evangelist—reminded me that any sudden dietary overhaul stresses the body.
By week four, the pendulum swung. I woke up before my alarm, trotted through 5 Ks that used to feel like slogs, and discovered post-meal lethargy had quietly left the building.
The dip was temporary—but if someone had warned me, I’d have scheduled fewer meetings and more naps those first ten days.
Protein panic: discovering complete sources
Confession: I googled “Do vegans die of protein deficiency?” at 2 a.m.
Spoiler: we don’t.
Still, complete proteins matter. Instead of obsessing over grams, I built a “protein trio” rule—make sure each day includes at least three of these: lentils, tofu/tempeh, seitan, edamame, or mixed nuts/seeds. Add quinoa when boredom strikes.
Simple math + variety = problem solved.
Personal anecdote break: While touring Japan a few summers back, I watched a street vendor whip up okonomiyaki with tofu and cabbage.
The takeaway wasn’t just umami—it was the reminder that plants everywhere carry culture, taste, and yes, protein. We just have to look.
The B12 blind spot that bit me
“People eating a plant-based diet must ensure a regular, reliable source of vitamin B12 throughout their lifespan,” explains physician-researcher Dr. Michael Greger.
I missed that memo—until tingling fingertips alerted me six months in. Turns out nutritional yeast sprinkled over popcorn doesn’t always cut it. One sublingual tablet a week did. The fix was fast, but the scare was real.
Pro tip: Set a phone reminder for your weekly (or daily) B12.
Forgetfulness—not ideology—causes most deficiencies.
Social speed bumps and surprise empathy
Stuff no one warned me about: barbecues where I became that person interrogating marinades; dates where the only menu option was fries; family gatherings featuring cheese boards the size of a skateboard ramp.
I’ve mentioned this before but social eating is less about nutrients and more about belonging.
Solution? I started offering to bring a dish—chickpea pesto pasta won hearts—and practiced the art of “no, thank you” without side-eyeing Aunt Linda’s brisket.
The bonus? Empathy.
Navigating minority food choices tuned my radar to other forms of exclusion. Small but mighty perspective shift.
Mental clarity vs. decision fatigue
“Change your thinking and you could change your eating.” — Gia Marson, EdD
Once I framed meals as experiments rather than chores, choices felt lighter. Yet, grocery runs doubled in length—labels, additives, hidden whey powder!
To dodge decision fatigue, I built a five-day meal rotation: oats + berries, tofu scramble, lentil curry, roasted veg bowls, and a wild-card Friday (hello, vegan sushi).
Freedom within structure saved brain cycles for work, music reviews, and perfecting that late-afternoon photo light.
What I’d do differently next time
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Phase, don’t plunge. Swapping breakfast first, then lunch, then dinner lets habits solidify without the drama.
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Stock smart: Keep emergency protein bars and roasted chickpeas in the backpack. Vending machines rarely speak plant.
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Track, briefly. Two weeks in a nutrition-tracking app highlighted fiber overload (yes, that’s a thing) and omega-3 gaps.
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Find your why. Ethics, environment, health—pick a primary driver. It’ll anchor you when the novelty fades.
The bottom line
Going vegan did make me feel better—eventually.
But the path was less like a wellness brochure and more like a Spotify algorithm: surprising, sometimes glitchy, ultimately rewarding if you stick with the playlist long enough.
If you’re plant-curious, pack patience alongside your reusable tote bags. Plan, supplement wisely, and remember food is a teacher, not a tyrant.
See you on the produce aisle—probably near the nutritional yeast.
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