Ask A Vegan: What Happens In Lockdown Stays In Lockdown... Right?

I don’t need to tell you that 2020 was an absolute beast of a year.

Lockdown has been tough for many reasons and one aspect that we heard a lot about in response to our Instagram  Story – how it has had us throwing some of our eating habits out the window. (At least they’re getting out for a walk, I guess).

Q. I WAS A STRICT VEGGIE PRE-LOCKDOWN, BUT NOW I CAN’T STOP EATING BACON SARNIES. HELP?!

A. First of all, relax.

Pour yourself an oat latte, extra shot, and chill. We are literally living through a period of history that kids will actually be learning about in school. In those textbooks, the fact that you ate a bit of bacon, or fell back in love with cheesy pizzas aren’t going to feature. They won’t even make the footnotes. Sorry.

Lockdown life is hard enough without beating ourselves up about things we are and aren’t eating. I, for example, cannot for the life of me remember the last time I ate a piece of fruit. Because I’m guessing the clementine in my Christmas day mulled wine doesn’t count.

Fair play to the vegans out there who have never looked back after making the switch. I’m not at that end of the table, and it’s no drama if you’re not, either. Whether we’re in lockdown or not, veganism isn’t (and shouldn’t) be about purity and perfection. Instead, it’s about progress.

If you’re looking to get back into veganism, I got you.

How to get back into veganism after a meaty relapse:

• Remember why you started. Get things back on track by remembering why you started this journey in the first place. Whether it was because of animal rights, or to help save the planet, or something else, reentering these worlds can be really motivating. Watch vegan documentaries, read books about climate change, chat with like-minded plant-based people on forums. Find ways to get your passion back. 
• Try new things. Identifying why you ‘fell off the wagon’ can help you pinpoint things you miss, and things you could look at replacing in a vegan-friendly way. If that’s bacon, check out our round-up of the best vegan bacon out there. If it’s cheese, this is the sign you’ve been waiting for to host a (virtual) cheese and wine night with your mates, trying out the best vegan cheese on the market. Or why not go completely rogue and try your hand at vegan recipes you’ve never attempted before? Our vegan dishes from around the world hub is a great place to start to find mouth-watering eats from all corners of the globe. You might just find your new go-to when the bacon pangs hit. 
• Take care of your mental health. I’m not trying to suggest that good mental health = veganism. But looking after your mental health is a great way to help get your physical health and goals back on track generally. Whether that’s through meditation and mindfulness, yoga, exercise or simply taking some time for yourself, prioritising your mental health is a really important step. 
• Ensure you’re eating a balanced diet. Sometimes particular cravings hit because you’re lacking in certain nutrients or protein, or because you’re depriving yourself of treats. We have a host of resources for staying healthy on a vegan diet here, as well as naughty but oh-so-nice vegan recipes here. Because it really is all about balance. (P.s. we don’t believe there’s such a thing as ‘naughty’ foods. We just liked the alliteration).

SHAMELESS plug, but only where it's warranted. Fill your freezer with allplants – it's much easier to stick you your plans if you have plant-based food in stock. With a growing menu of over 30 mains, a host of breakfasts, treats and more, going vegan has never been easier.