I still remember the first time I tried to “go vegan.” It lasted a weekend.
On Friday, I bought almond milk, frozen edamame, a block of tofu, and a mountain of kale. By Sunday night, I was standing at the fridge in sweatpants, eating leftover macaroni and cheese straight from the container. Not because I didn’t care about animals or the planet — but because I was starving, overwhelmed, and secretly convinced that I had to be perfect or not bother at all.
Here’s the thing no one told me: you don’t have to go all or nothing.
You don’t have to be 100% vegan to benefit from eating plant-based.
And once I stopped chasing perfection and started getting curious instead, everything changed—my body, my cooking, my mindset, and yes, even my impact.
The problem with “all or nothing” thinking
For a long time, I thought being plant-based meant flipping a switch. One day you’re eating burgers and milkshakes; the next, you’re meal-prepping quinoa bowls and sipping oat milk lattes.
But in practice?
That switch rarely flips cleanly.
I grew up in a food-loving household — Mexican-American, multi-generational, and deeply rooted in tradition. My grandma’s kitchen smelled like slow-simmered meats and cinnamon. Family gatherings revolved around tamales, pozole, and enchiladas. Asking if the mole was vegan would’ve earned me a raised eyebrow and a second helping, just to be safe.
So when I first tried to go fully vegan, it felt like a rejection of that history. And when I inevitably “slipped”—eating eggs at brunch or grabbing a slice of birthday cake — I felt like I’d failed. Again and again.
The guilt loop kept me from sticking with it. I’d give up completely, telling myself I’d “try again next month” or “after the holidays.”
Meanwhile, I missed out on the benefits I could have been getting if I’d just allowed a little grace and flexibility.
What finally worked: progress, not perfection
A few years later, I tried again—but this time, I did it differently.
Instead of declaring myself vegan overnight, I made small, sustainable swaps. I started with breakfast. I swapped my morning yogurt for chia pudding or avocado toast.
I kept lunch simple — grain bowls, veggie soups, roasted leftovers. Dinner was where I gave myself the most freedom, especially when cooking with family or going out.
And something interesting happened: even without being “fully” vegan, I felt better.
My energy improved. My digestion was smoother. I slept more soundly. I started looking forward to cooking again—not because I had to, but because experimenting with plants became fun.
I didn’t need to label myself. I just needed to notice how good I felt.
What actually improved (and why)
1. My digestion got way more consistent
Once I started eating more legumes, greens, and whole grains, my gut thanked me. I had fewer bloated days, less cramping, and more regularity overall.
Fiber played a big role here—and plant-based diets are naturally rich in it. Studies show that fiber fuels the good bacteria in your gut, leading to a healthier microbiome and better digestion overall.
2. My energy stopped crashing
On heavy meat-and-dairy days, I’d often feel sluggish by 2 p.m. But when I centered plants—especially complex carbs like quinoa, sweet potatoes, and beans—I noticed more consistent energy throughout the day.
There’s also research linking plant-based eating to improved blood sugar stability, especially when meals are balanced with fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
3. My relationship with food got less complicated
Once I stopped obsessing over labels and started focusing on how I felt, food became easier. I started making choices from a place of care, not control. And ironically, that led to better decisions. I wanted the roasted veggie tacos.
I craved lentil soup. I didn’t need rules—I needed rhythm.
How to feel the benefits — without going 100%
If you’re curious about plant-based eating but feel overwhelmed by the idea of going “all in,” here’s what helped me make it sustainable:
1. Start with one meal
Pick one meal a day and make it plant-based for a week. Breakfast is usually the easiest—smoothies, oats, toast with almond butter or avocado. Once that feels normal, add another meal.
2. Repeat meals you like
You don’t need a new recipe every day. I found a few go-to meals I loved and kept them on rotation:
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Roasted veggie bowls with tahini
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Red lentil curry with rice
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Pasta with sautéed garlic spinach and cashew cream
Let those meals become habits, then explore from there.
3. Focus on the “add,” not just the “subtract”
Instead of asking what do I have to give up?, ask what can I add in?
Think color, texture, and flavor: roasted squash, crunchy slaw, creamy hummus, grilled peaches. Eating more plants should feel abundant—not restrictive.
4. Don’t stress about the label
If you eat mostly plants but still have eggs or cheese occasionally, that’s okay. That doesn’t cancel out the good you’re doing.
In fact, even small shifts toward plant-based eating — like adopting a flexitarian or Mediterranean-style diet — can significantly reduce disease risk and environmental impact.
What I still eat—and why I feel good about it
These days, I’d describe my diet as about 90% plant-based. I still have honey in my tea. I’ll enjoy the occasional slice of tres leches cake at my cousin’s birthday. And when my grandma makes her signature green enchiladas, I eat them—with gratitude.
But I also eat a rainbow of plants every day. I start my mornings with smoothies, build lunches with grains and greens, and make dinners from scratch more often than not. I snack on fruit, nuts, and roasted chickpeas. I drink more water. I shop more intentionally.
Because now I know that I don’t have to be “good.” I try to feel good. And knowing that my choices, even when imperfect, are aligned with how I want to live.
Final thoughts
We’ve been taught that change has to be extreme to be meaningful. But I’ve learned that consistency matters more than intensity — and small shifts in the right direction can be incredibly powerful.
You don’t have to be 100% vegan to experience the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. You don’t have to give up every tradition or deny yourself joy. You can move at your own pace, define your own version, and still feel better in your body, your mind, and your impact.
So if you’re waiting to be ready… don’t. You are ready.
Start with one meal. One swap. One new recipe. Let your plate evolve as you do.
Plants don’t require perfection. Just intention. And maybe a little garlic.