By Lydia Roscoe
Living the student lifestyle can make being a vegetarian seem difficult. However, this article will go through top tips and ideas to encourage you to start your vegan journey as a student on a budget. Wherever you go, you can make decisions to help our planet and be ethical towards animals. It’s time to start your journey!
Do it slowly
In a world that is non-vegan, converting to veganism overnight can be challenging. This is a very personal choice; You must go at your own pace and keep your end goal in mind. Every day, if you have three meals, you have three opportunities to choose a vegetarian option.
This big lifestyle change can be difficult for some. It is not a one size fits all experience and there are many approaches you can take. But as a student on a budget, a good way to make changes is to make gradual, small changes in your daily life by increasing the number of plant-based foods in your diet.
To take your next steps, here are some ways you can start the transition
Batch cook your meals
A great way to save money and time is to batch cook your meals. When you get back to your accommodation, after a long day of lectures, you may want to eat a vegan meal, but you’re not sure what to make or what’s in the cupboard. By batch cooking your meals a week or two ahead, you’ll have vegetarian options that are healthy, easy and ready to go.
Not to mention the convenience and convenience of batch cooking your meals! You can save a lot of money and reduce wastage. All great for the environment! Using similar base ingredients for different dishes will keep your costs down. So, stock up on your pantry essentials!
Change protein sources
A common myth about veganism is that we only eat vegetables. That’s wrong!
All over the internet, there are thousands of delicious recipes, especially on Vegan.org. Their food ideas are creative and delicious.
Overconsumption of meat is destroying our planet and is very unethical towards animals. Veganism is completely against eating meat. However, we still need to consume a certain amount of protein each day to stay healthy, so supplementing protein intake with other sources is necessary.
There are 6 different types of vegan foods that contain protein.
Swap milk in your morning coffee
As a student, coffee can be your saving grace. In nine o’clock lectures, in the library or during exam season, coffee can wake you up. But… coffee usually comes with cow’s milk, which is not vegetarian. The modern industrial complex ensures that cows are kept against their will to produce milk, which is completely unethical.
But you still need your coffee, right? Well, there are many substitutes for cow’s milk that can make coffee taste even better than it is. Almond, oat, coconut and soy are all plant-based milks. Sometimes, plant-based options can be more expensive, however, if you buy from a budget supermarket’s own brand version, the price difference is minimal. So the next time you have coffee, challenge yourself to try a plant-based alternative!
Switching to vegan skincare
Being vegetarian isn’t just about the food you eat; It’s also about the products you use. Unfortunately, many major skin care companies test on animals and use animal-derived ingredients in their products. There are many affordable and vegan skin care products in the market now to try. Start by changing one item at a time depending on your budget and go from there.
vegetarian life
Go vegan to play your part in the change you want to see in the world. Everyone, even a student on a budget, can make positive changes in their daily lives to improve the environment, animals and health.
You can do it!