Are you curious about going vegan? Good news! There’s never been a better time to make the switch to a plant-based diet. With vegan restaurants popping up all over the place, and a variety of dairy and meat alternatives stocked in grocery stores, going vegan is easier than ever. Whether you are doing it for the animals, the environment or to be overall healthier, here are the top five tips to make your transition a breeze.

1. Keep a Positive Mindset

Our minds can be the biggest obstacle when it comes to making a major change, and switching to a plant-based diet is no exception. The journey you are about to embark on is challenging at first, but with time will feel like second nature. The best thing that you can do is approach it from a positive angle. For example, instead of seeing it as losing meat and dairy see it as gaining more veggies, fruits, and other plant-based goodies. Focusing on the positive will not only make going vegan easier but also enjoyable.

2. Go at your Own Pace

If jumping into full-on veganism sounds a bit intense, take it slow. The great thing about going vegan is there are no hard and fast rules on how to do it, it’s completely up to you. A great way to ease yourself into is by starting with adding a few “vegan days” into your week. Slowly increase your plant-based days each week as you feel ready. Before you know it, you will be eating meat and dairy free every day of the week.

3. Stock up 

It is crucial at the beginning to keep your house stocked with vegan-friendly snacks and ingredients. As your body is adjusting you will be feeling hungrier than usual, as well as experiencing cravings for meat and dairy. All of this is totally normal, as plant-based diets are not as calorie heavy as ones that include meat and dairy. To curb the initial cravings (they will stop eventually, promise) there are plenty of “mock meats” which are typically soy-based or textured plant protein. They are perfect meat substitutes for your favorite non-vegan recipe.

4. Be patient with yourself

It’s ok to mess up! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Very seldom do people go vegan, and never look back or slip-up. It’s not going to be perfect, and it doesn’t have to be. The important thing is that if you make a mistake that you recognize it, and make the conscious decision to get back into it. Always remember no one is perfect, and it will only get easier with time. Even eating plant-based most of the time, is better than not doing it all.

5. Indulge 

Going vegan doesn’t mean you have to be a superhero health addict,  it’s ok to indulge and you should. A big misconception behind veganism is that you can’t eat any of the “good stuff”. You will be shocked at the number of recipes there are for mouthwatering vegan desserts. Plus a vegan diet means you are eating cleaner a majority of the time, so you can feel less guilty about your indulgences.  So go on, eat that slice of vegan chocolate cake.