The number of vegans in the UK has risen by 350% since 2006 and today over 540,000 of us rely on an animal-free diet with a special concentration of people in their teens and twenties embracing the lifestyle. A lot of theories have been put forward to explain this rise, ranging from increased concern for animal welfare and the environment to the influence of the ever-growing number of celebrities, from Jennifer Lopez to Tobey Maguire, who have announced they are now vegan.

There are lots of reasons to become one yourself, especially as a student – not least because the cost of eating vegan can be considerably less than eating meat, as well as the potential health benefits too. But before you take the plunge here are a few things to consider.

Becoming vegan
No matter how keen you are to eliminate animal products from your diet, actually doing it is a major step. If you just take a minute to think about how many foods contain dairy or eggs you’ll soon realise just how much you’ll have to give up.

So it may be a good idea to ease yourself in gently, especially if you’re currently a fully-paid-up carnivore, by trying vegetarianism first. This might not even mean you have to give up on takeaways because even services like Deliveroo offer plenty of veggie options to get you into the swing of things. The number of vegan restaurants is rising all over Britain, too.

Then, once you’re in the habit of eating meat-free meals, it could be time to step up to full-blown veganism.

The supplements you may need
There are certain dietary essentials that are mainly found in meat so you’ll need to take certain supplements to ensure a balanced diet. One of the key ones is Vitamin B12. This helps to keep your nerve cells and blood healthy as well as producing DNA. Without it, you can start to feel tired and listless. Similarly, you may also need to take an iron supplement, although there is a certain amount in sunflower seeds, dried raisins and dark leafy greens like spinach and kale. Plus, if you keep up your Vitamin C intake it aids absorption.



"Today’s picture of Love" (CC BY 2.0) by storebukkebruse

By going vegan you’ll also be eliminating dairy from your diet and need to get some calcium from alternative sources to keep bones and teeth healthy. The good news is that many breakfast cereals are fortified with the mineral and it also occurs in almonds, soya beans, figs and navel oranges.

Being a vegan day to day
Apart from having to explain to relatives and friends what veganism is and why you’ve chosen it, the daily process of being vegan shouldn’t cause too much hassle. For example, most restaurant menus include suitable vegan choices, though it’s usually a good idea to check with the person serving you to be sure that they really are animal free. You’ll also have to pay a bit more attention to food labelling to ensure that no animal products have found their way into them.

Other than that, it’s a lifestyle that you should be able to embrace quickly and easily and, with luck and before long, you’ll be feeling fitter, eating healthier and generally getting more out of life – and who wouldn’t want all that?
 

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