8 things I stopped buying the day I went plant-based that I've never once missed

When I went plant-based seven years ago, I thought I'd be mourning my old grocery hauls forever.

Turns out, the opposite happened. Within weeks, I realized most of what I'd been buying was just habit, not actual desire. Like that gym membership you keep paying for but never use.

These eight items disappeared from my cart immediately, and I haven't thought about them since. No cravings, no FOMO, just a cleaner receipt and more cabinet space.

1. Parmesan cheese

I used to grate parmesan on everything like it was my job. Pasta, salads, popcorn (don't judge). The day I went vegan, I figured this would be my Achilles heel.

Plot twist: nutritional yeast is better. It's nuttier, more complex, and doesn't smell like feet when you open the container. Plus it has B vitamins, which parmesan definitely does not. I keep a shaker of it on my counter and go through a bag every few weeks.

The real kicker? Parmesan isn't even vegetarian. It's made with rennet from calf stomach lining. So even my pre-vegan self should have been questioning that choice.

2. Leather shoes

I had this idea that vegan shoes would fall apart after three wears, like those cheap flip-flops from a beach boardwalk. Completely wrong. The technology has caught up in a major way.

My current rotation includes sneakers made from recycled plastic bottles and dress shoes from mushroom leather that look identical to the real thing. They last just as long, break in faster, and I don't have to worry about rain ruining them.

The best part? No more guilt when I see a cow. That might sound dramatic, but once you make the connection between the animal and the product, it's hard to unsee it.

3. Whey protein powder

Back in my gym bro phase, I was convinced whey was the only protein worth having. Pea protein? Soy? Those were for people who didn't take fitness seriously, or so I thought.

Turns out plant proteins work exactly the same for building muscle. I've been using a blend of pea and rice protein for years now, and my lifts haven't suffered one bit. If anything, I digest it better.

The dairy industry spent millions convincing us we need cow milk protein to get strong. Meanwhile, the strongest land animal on earth eats grass all day. Just saying.

4. Wool sweaters

I loved a good wool sweater. Cozy, warm, classic. But wool production is pretty brutal when you look into it. Sheep get cut during shearing more often than you'd think, and the industry isn't exactly known for gentle handling.

Now I wear fleece, cotton blends, and this amazing recycled polyester that feels like cashmere. I'm warmer, nothing itches, and I can actually throw them in the washing machine without a PhD in garment care.

Plus, no more moths eating holes in my favorite pieces. That alone is worth the switch.

5. Honey

This one surprises people because honey seems harmless. Bees make extra, we take some, everyone wins. Except commercial beekeeping often involves clipping queen wings, replacing honey with sugar water, and shipping hives cross-country in stressful conditions.

I switched to maple syrup and agave and genuinely prefer both now. Maple has this depth that honey never had, and agave dissolves better in cold drinks. My morning oatmeal tastes better than it ever did.

Wild bees are dying at alarming rates, and supporting commercial honey operations doesn't help them. Better to plant native flowers and let them do their thing.

6. Gelatin-based vitamins and supplements

I never thought about what made my gummy vitamins gummy until I went plant-based. Spoiler: it's boiled animal bones and connective tissue. Delicious, right?

Pectin-based gummies exist and work exactly the same way. So do regular tablets and capsules made without gelatin. This was probably the easiest swap on the entire list.

Now I just check labels, which takes an extra five seconds. Small price to pay for not eating ground-up cow parts with my vitamin D.

7. Eggs for baking

I thought giving up eggs meant giving up baking. My mom's chocolate chip cookies, birthday cakes, Sunday morning pancakes. All gone, or so I assumed.

Then I discovered flax eggs, aquafaba, and mashed banana. Each one works differently depending on what you're making, but they all work. My cookies are chewier now, my cakes are fluffier, and I never have to worry about salmonella.

The bonus? Baking became more interesting. I had to actually understand what eggs do in a recipe instead of just following instructions blindly. Made me a better baker overall.

8. Dairy milk

This is the obvious one, but it belongs on the list because it's the thing people ask about most. How do you live without milk? What about cereal? Coffee? Cooking?

Oat milk in coffee is creamier than dairy ever was. Soy milk has more protein. Almond milk is lighter for smoothies. Coconut milk makes better Thai curry. I have options now instead of just one thing from one animal.

The environmental impact alone makes this worth it. Dairy production uses absurd amounts of water and creates more greenhouse gases than all the plant milks combined. My morning latte doesn't need to cost the planet that much.

Final thoughts

Going plant-based didn't feel like giving things up after the first month. It felt like editing my life down to what actually mattered. Like unsubscribing from emails you never read anyway.

These eight things left my shopping cart seven years ago, and I've never looked back. Not because I'm some superhuman with incredible willpower, but because the alternatives are genuinely better. Better tasting, better for animals, better for the environment, better for my health.

Your list might look different than mine. Maybe you'll miss cheese forever, or maybe you'll discover something I haven't yet. But I'd bet money there are at least a few things you're buying right now out of pure habit that you wouldn't miss at all.