How to Go Vegan: 14 Day Challenge

Wondering how to go vegan? Thinking of taking a clean eating challenge? Then dive in with my FREE Go Vegan 14 Day Challenge!

If you’ve been wondering about trying a more plant-based lifestyle on for size, today is the perfect day to give it a try! Why not take a vegan challenge? What have you got to lose? (Besides possibly some extra weight and a few points on your blood cholesterol or blood pressure levels!) I encourage everyone—no matter what they’re eating style—to take on a more whole foods, plant-based lifestyle. If you just try a 2 week vegan challenge, it can introduce you to a more plant-forward eating style for the rest of the year, even if you’re not ready to take the full vegan plunge. It can also be a way to take on a clean eating challenge, as my diet recommendations feature whole, minimally processed foods.

One of the best ways you can decide if you want to make a change in your eating style is to try a challenge—just try it for a finite period of time, whether it’s one week, two weeks, or one month. Just do it!

Check out my FREE Go Vegan Toolkit to get started, and follow some of my easy steps to take a 14 day vegan challenge below, which also comes with lots of vegan recipes for beginners.

My 5 Steps for How to Go Vegan for the 14 Day Vegan Challenge

1. Decide what your goal is and commit.

What is your overall goal? Are you seeking to go vegan for good? Or do you want to eat a more plant-forward diet in the long run? Do you want to go cold turkey or start out more slowly? If you’re a slow starter, you might want to try a couple of weeks of Meatless Monday before you take the plunge in order to familiarize yourself with plant-based meal planning. Just make a plan and commit. You’ve got this.

2. Set your kitchen up for success.

Once you make a commitment, make sure you’re supporting it in the kitchen. I’ve got plenty of tips in The Plant-Powered Diet and Plant-Powered for Life that will guide you in the right direction. Here are a couple of cheats:

• Stock your pantry with plant-based, shelf-stable foods, such as whole grains, dried and canned beans, nuts and seeds, nuts and seed butters, spices, and herbs. You can create wholesome, plant-based meals out of these ingredients in a jiffy.
• Fill your fridge at least once a week with healthy, fresh, plant-based foods to enliven those plant-based dishes, such as seasonal fruits and vegetables, tofu, seitan, and plant-based milk.

3. Plan wisely.

For your first week you might find it especially helpful to jot down a menu for your lunch and dinners. On your busy nights, try simple meals, such as tofu stir-fry with brown rice or black bean tacos. But choose a couple of nights when you have a bit more time to try a new recipe. This will inspire you to get creative and enjoy the delicious flavors of plant-based foods. Check out some of my easy vegan meals here.

4. Plant-based offerings in your neighborhood.

Take a few minutes to scope out the plant-based offerings in your neighborhood, such as your local natural food store, vegetarian restaurants, or restaurants with lots of plant-based options. Plan a visit a couple of times your first week to keep it fun. Check out my vegan fast food guide here.

5. Create good ole’ standbys.

It’s easy to eat plant-based, when you have your go-to favorite, wholesome meals that make you feel content and satisfied. Some of mine include steel cut oats with seasonal fruit, cinnamon, hemp, walnuts and soy milk for breakfast; kale salad with white beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts for lunch; and a veggie BLT with tempeh bacon, tomatoes, lettuce and plant-based mayo for a weekend meal.

When you’re done with your challenge, take stock of how you feel and look. Is this something you’d like to move forward with? If yes, go for it! I’ll help you in whatever way I can. Take a moment and let me know how you’re doing on your Vegan Challenge by leaving a comment on my blog, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

For more tips on plant-based eating, check out these blogs:

9 Tips for Plant-Based Eating on a Budget
3 Super Strategies for Making Plant-Based Easy
Go Vegan Challenge Toolkit