Why I Choose Plant-Based Diet
“I would never be a vegan”
I still remember how I say those words to my friends when they asked me whether I would be a vegan because they know how much I love animals. And here I am now! Creating a vegan guide.
I decided to be a vegan in 2017 after watching a documentary “What The Health”. There was a paradigm shift after watching that documentary. And then I became a vegan overnight, without further research on what I will eat or how people will treat me when they know I’m a vegan. I know some people would say that I got brainwashed by that documentary, but if it’s for a good change, then it’s good. I remember my mom asked me whether I was okay or not when I told her I’m a vegan.
I still remember the early days after I decided to be a vegan. I didn’t have as much as energy when I wasn’t a vegan. And I kept going to live as a vegan until now. I didn’t have energy because I wasn’t eating right. I didn’t know anything
This is what I ate on my early vegan days:
Back then, the only vegan restaurant I knew was Burgreens. And now there are so many vegan-friendly restaurants you can find in Jakarta!
For some people, being a vegan is considered an extreme one. And if people thinks that way, I don’t want to argue with them. Heck, I used to argue with them but not anymore. Now I just let them be.
When I was a kid, every time I drink milk, I would have a mild diarrhea and I thought that it was “normal”. My mom would tell me that there are many people who has the same condition as me and she thought it was normal. I didn’t understand that actually I was lactose intolerant. Well, after learning about nutrition, that makes sense. Why would I drink cow’s milk?
Benefits of Plant-Based Diet
A few months after being vegan, I noticed some of the amazing changes:
I have no more acne (just a hormonal one, when it’s period time)
Clearer & better skin
Better immune system—I didn’t remember the last time I got a fever or flu (even in the middle of a pandemic)
Better and faster recovery
Better focus
Lose some weight
I’m not gonna lie, there’s some food that I miss since I went vegan, especially ikan tongkol rica-rica made by my mom and sweets. It’s the only food on my mind if someone asks me what I miss. Back in 2017, it was so difficult for me to find vegan sweets but I’m so happy that it’s easy to find vegan donuts. But I’m not gonna miss beef, chicken, or dairy products because the horror of how they are processed makes me sick.
Mostly, 90% of what I eat is healthy vegan food, whereas 10% for not-so-healthy vegan food such as donuts, pizza, burger, or other sweets. This is how I keep my mind sane. I think it’s okay to indulge your self with something you like as a self-reward for eating healthy most of the time.
Plant-based diet is not for everyone.
Some people can get some benefits from plant-based diet but some people don’t. If it’s the one for you, then it’s good for you.
When I decided to be choose plant-based diet, I learn many things about my body. What’s good for me and what’s not good. I learn that plants has so many nutrients we need and our body absorbs better nutrients on plant form instead of supplement caps.
Are you a vegan? I would love to know your vegan journey!
