Vegan Diet Pros and Cons
I didn’t expect this at all… I thought going vegan would feel clean and easy right away. But the first few days? A mix of “this is great” and “why is this so hard?”
So if you’re curious about trying a vegan diet, here’s my honest experience. No hype. Just what actually happened.
I’ll share what I liked, what I struggled with, and if I think it’s actually worth trying.
Why I Tried Going Vegan
I wanted to eat healthier without overthinking food all the time.
I also liked the idea of eating more whole foods and less processed stuff. Plus, I kept seeing simple vegan meals online that looked easy enough to try.
So I thought… why not test it for myself?
What I Ate
Photo by Karola G from Pixabay
Nothing fancy. I kept it very basic.
- Oatmeal with fruit
- Rice with veggies and tofu
- Peanut butter sandwiches
- Pasta with tomato sauce
- Smoothies
- Chickpea salads.
Most meals took under 20–30 minutes. Some were honestly just throwing things together.
If you want ideas, check out my Vegan Starter Guide and Easy Vegan Recipes. That’s what helped me keep things simple.
What Actually Changed
Photo by Karola G from Pexels
This is where things got interesting.
- My energy felt more steady. I didn’t feel super energized overnight, but I stopped having big crashes. I felt more stable during the day.
- My digestion improved. This was one of the biggest changes. Things just felt lighter and more regular.
- I felt less heavy after meals. Even when I ate a lot, I didn’t feel that “too full” or sluggish feeling.
- My cravings changed. At first, I missed cheese and eggs. But after a while, I started craving simple foods like fruit and rice bowls.
- I got hungry more often. This surprised me. I had to eat more frequently, especially in the first week.
- My skin looked a bit clearer. Not a huge change, but I noticed fewer small breakouts.
- I became more aware of what I eat. I started reading labels more and thinking about my meals instead of just grabbing anything.
What Surprised Me Most
A few things I didn’t expect:
- Simple meals worked best. The complicated ones stressed me out.
- I didn’t miss meat as much as I thought. Cheese was harder to give up.
- Grocery shopping took longer at first because I was checking everything.
The Downsides
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Let’s be real. It’s not all easy.
- It takes some planning. You can’t just grab anything when you’re hungry. You need a few go-to meals ready.
- Social situations can feel awkward. Eating out or going to events sometimes felt limiting.
- The first week is the hardest. I felt unsure about what to eat and got hungry more often.
- Cravings are real at the start. Especially for comfort foods you’re used to.
Would I Do It Again
Yes… but I would do it differently.
I wouldn’t try to be perfect. I’d keep meals simple and give myself time to adjust.
It’s not about doing everything right. It’s about finding what works for you.
If You Want to Try This
Photo by Tina M from Pexels
Keep it easy.
Start with a few meals you already like and make them vegan.
Don’t overcomplicate it.
Use a simple Vegan Meal Plan so you don’t have to think too much.
And having a Vegan Grocery List makes shopping way easier when you’re just starting.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t do everything perfectly, but I learned a lot.
The biggest lesson? Simple works best. And you don’t have to do it all at once.
