by Amanda Jane Snyder
A glimpse of how it is being a vegan in 2022.
Go Vegan? Vegan, Keto, Paleo, with so many fad diets these days, it can be hard to understand what is optimal for health. There's so much conflicting information out there!
I went vegan back in 2016. It started out as an exploration of health, but as I learned more about the meat and dairy industry, it became about so much more than just my health. When I went vegan in 2016 it was ... HARD to navigate. But in 2022 it seems to be a bit easier. Let's explore.
First of all, vegans have a bad rap about pushing the diet onto others. We have a reputation of being and pushy. Which we CAN be. But what I have discovered is that it is usually rooted in compassion. Compassion to the animals who are being exploited for food, clothing, or any other purpose. Because they too, just like us humans, feel pain and suffering as well. This is not necessarily an excuse for us to be annoying, but just an explanation on the part of us, vegans, as to why we chose this life and why we can be annoying. It's just passion for a cause!
Not only have I had to refute the annoying vegan stereotype, but I also experience lots of questions about veganism being super restrictive. Especially back in 2016 when I first went vegan there weren't as many options in grocery stores or in restaurants. I can understand how this would feel restrictive! While it may seem restrictive to many, I have never actually felt limited. If If anything, it requires me to try new things and be creative with the food that I serve on my plate. It also has allowed me to eat closer to REAL food choices. It encourages me to eat high quality, fresh, whole, real foods.
In 2016 I had to explore and get creative. But in 2022, now more than ever there's more restaurants popping up that are fully vegan! They take traditional non-vegan dishes and get creative with them by adding an exciting plant-based twist. The photos above show me enjoying some vegan sushi at Beyond Sushi! For us vegans, this is obviously a good thing because now we have more options! But it also allows others to explore vegan foods in a way that is familiar to them.
To be honest, I used to want to force everyone to be vegan. That is how annoying I was. I have my opinions and my firm stances. And if you ask me, I will certainly tell you what I think. But for the most part, I want you to do you, as everyone is on their own journey.
I have made my own choice to become vegan and although many will never understand why, it will always be one of the best decisions that I have made! It helps me to make good, healthy choices while also making sure that I am doing it for a greater cause.
So what do you think? Would you ever consider going vegan?
Amanda Jane Snyder is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, and Mindset Coach living in Brooklyn, NY. She has been vegan since 2016. She specializes in Strength and Conditioning for Actors, Singers, and Dancers.
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