Going vegan? Cool, but don’t make my mistakes. I spent months eating nothing but pasta and wondering why I felt like garbage. These health tips for vegans will save you from the rookie errors that had me googling “why am I tired all the time” at 3 AM.
Most vegan advice is either too preachy or too obvious. These 16 tips are different. They’re the practical stuff nobody tells you upfront.
Ready to feel amazing on plants? Let’s go.
16 Best Health Tips For Vegans
1. Don’t Ignore The Big 5 Nutrients Missing From Plants
B12, Vitamin D, Omega-3 EPA/DHA, iodine, and zinc are rare in plant foods. Don’t kid yourself that kale will cover everything. Supplement B12, D3, and algae-based omega-3s religiously. For a more in depth guide please see my blog “If The Vegan Diet is So Healthy, Why Do Vegans Need To Supplement?“
2. Check Food Allergies Before Diving In
Can’t eat legumes? Allergic to nuts and hate tofu? You’re gonna have a bad time. Test your tolerances first or you’ll be living on rice and sadness.
3. Vegan Junk Food Is Still Junk Food
That vegan burger loaded with sodium isn’t health food because it’s plant-based. Most vegan substitutes are processed garbage. Skip the fake meats and candy – they’re just as bad as the originals.
4. Learn to Cook or Suffer
YouTube has millions of free vegan recipes. Pick five you actually want to eat and master them. Can’t cook? Enjoy spending $20 on sad restaurant salads forever.
5. Stock Your Pantry Like a Pro
Canned beans, whole grains, and spices are your best friends. But watch the sodium in canned stuff – some beans pack more salt than potato chips.
6. Find Your Perfect Plant Milk
Not all oat milks taste the same. Try different brands until you find one that doesn’t make your coffee taste like sadness. Soy milk works best for hot drinks and packs the most protein.
7. Add Superfoods Without Being Annoying About It
Berries, dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes, nuts, and seeds. Throw them in everything. Your body will thank you, and you won’t have to announce it to everyone.
8. Cook Your Own Food (Restaurants Will Rob You)
Vegan restaurant food is overpriced and loaded with oil. That $18 quinoa bowl has more fat than a burger. Cook at home and save your wallet and waistline.
9. Keep Smart Snacks Ready
Dark chocolate, nuts, roasted chickpeas, or frozen banana “ice cream.” Have something ready or you’ll end up eating stale crackers at 3 PM wondering where your life went wrong.
10. Store-Bought Vegan Cheese Is Trash
Most vegan cheeses are coconut oil mixed with sadness and chemicals. Make your own with cashews or just skip it entirely. Your arteries will thank you.
11. Refined Foods Will Wreck You
Just because it’s vegan doesn’t mean it’s healthy. White bread is vegan. So is sugar. Focus on whole foods and learn to manage blood sugar spikes with fiber and timing.
12. Prepare for Social Food Torture
You’ll be surrounded by pizza while holding carrot sticks. Remember why you went vegan and pack backup snacks. Your willpower has limits.
13. Kill Your Sugar Addiction Before It Kills Your Diet
Sugar cravings will sabotage everything. Those fancy vegan desserts are expensive traps. Break the addiction early or spend your life fighting it.
14. Eat Greens With Every Meal
Spinach, kale, arugula – whatever. They’re loaded with iron, calcium, and fiber for almost zero calories. It’s the easiest health tip for vegans that actually works.
15. Nutritional Yeast Is Magic
It tastes like cheese had a baby with nuts. High in protein, often fortified with B12, and makes everything better. Buy it in bulk and sprinkle it on everything.
16. Freeze Your Dying Bananas
Those brown, mushy bananas make perfect smoothies and banana bread. Don’t throw them away – freeze them and thank yourself later.
The Bottom Line on Health Tips for Vegans
After six years of plant-based living, these health tips for vegans are what actually matter. Skip the Instagram wellness trends and focus on the basics that work.
Your vegan journey doesn’t have to suck. Follow these tips and you’ll feel better than you ever did eating animals.