Good vs. Bad Vegan
Our culture likes labels. We label everything from diseases to clothing. From a young age, we are taught the difference between good and bad choices and behaviors. It is good and pleasing to share a toy with a friend. It is bad to tell a lie. This basic lesson follows us into all areas of our life as we age. Don’t get me wrong, I love labels too. If you were to walk in my Kindergarten classroom, you would have seen organized labels on everything from storage bins to drawers to mailboxes to tables. However, sometimes the perfectionists of the world get caught in the persistent desire to “be good.” Instead, what if we all just approached life like an abstract painting enjoying the twists and turns and appreciating the bleeding and mixing of colors and textures? Appreciating each moment for its uniqueness and taking small steps for personal growth.
So what does this have to do with a plant-based lifestyle? Most diets are promoted to help you lose weight and improve your health, but many times they only lead to short-term benefits. Eventually, you cave and give in to how you ate before starting the diet. This is why we like to refer to eating plants as a LIFESTYLE. Just like life, there are going to be ebbs and flows. Some days you will enjoy a smoothie loaded with oat milk, mango, strawberries, banana, hemp seeds, sprouts, and spinach, and other days you will eat an entire sleeve of Oreos. As my dad likes to say, yes, Oreos are indeed vegan. So does this mean you are a “bad vegan” if you eat a sleeve of Oreos? No. Try not to look at it as good vs. bad. Do the Oreos provide you with the nutrients that your body needs? No, but that just means that you should choose more nutrient dense foods for your next meal. The occasional “cheat” is not going to cause long term damage.
As I mentioned in our previous blog post, just because a product is labeled as “vegan,” it is not necessarily healthy. Products like Oreos contain harmful sugars, preservatives, and oils. These additional chemicals can lead to chronic diseases just like dairy and meat. Focus more on eating whole plants and less processed foods. Less Beyond burgers, fried foods, and frozen meals, and more legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
As you start to incorporate more plants into your diet, you may feel the need to be “perfect.” But what does being “perfect” mean? This idea can lead to restriction and defeat. Instead of being “perfect,” realize that you can start small and accomplish more in the long term. Start with simple swaps. Instead of using your go-to coffee creamer, try adding oat milk, agave, and cinnamon powder. At lunch, replace your side of chips with sliced bell peppers & cucumber with a side of hummus (look for oil free or make your own). In place of spaghetti with meat sauce for dinner, make chickpea pasta with your own tempeh bolognese sauce. A simple Google search is all it takes.
We guarantee that once you start to eat more plants, you will feel better and have more energy. You will start to listen to your body and realize when you feel good after eating. This will only encourage you to continue to add in more plants. When you have that occasional “cheat” meal, enjoy it. Move on. Let it go. Don’t get caught up in the labels of “good” or “bad.” The quest for perfection will only hamper your progress and lead to procrastination.
Take that first step, eat that first veggie, paint that first stroke. Watch what happens when you unpeel those labels and add one new color and design at a time. Your canvas will develop and change into the evolving beautiful creation of YOU.
