How to Stay Healthy on a Vegan Diet
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- July 17, 2025
Going vegan used to mean eating like a rabbit and defending your protein intake to every second person with a grill. Thankfully, things have evolved. Whether you’re in it for the animals, the planet, or just because tofu finally grew on you, the vegan lifestyle can be healthy, balanced, and—brace yourself—actually enjoyable. That said, just cutting out meat and dairy doesn’t automatically turn you into a glowing wellness guru. Here’s how to keep your vegan diet in check, without losing your mind or relying solely on hummus.
Don’t Just Live on Bread and Potatoes
It’s shockingly easy to go vegan and somehow end up eating chips for every meal. Technically plant-based? Yes. Nutritionally balanced? Not so much. A healthy vegan diet needs variety—think beans, lentils, tofu, leafy greens, fruit, grains, and a suspicious amount of avocado. If your plate is all beige, it’s time to bring in some color. And no, ketchup doesn’t count.
Learn to Love a Label
Reading food labels becomes a second job when you go vegan. One minute you’re buying granola, the next you’re Googling whether “confectioner’s glaze” is made of beetles (spoiler: sometimes, yes). But here’s the upside—knowing what’s in your food helps you avoid the dreaded junk trap. Just because something says “vegan” doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Vegan cookies are still cookies, sadly.
Protein Is a Thing, So Don’t Ignore It
No, you don’t need to eat a cow to get protein. But you do need to think about where it’s coming from. Beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, nuts, seeds, and whole grains can all do the job. And if you’re working out, running after toddlers, or just trying to function without collapsing mid-morning, a good supplement can help. EatProtein offers plant based protein with added wellness, which basically means you can fuel your muscles and pretend you have your life together. Win-win.
Watch Your B12 (and Other Sneaky Vitamins)
There’s no polite way to say this: B12 deficiency is not a good look. It’s the one thing that’s genuinely hard to get on a vegan diet, unless you enjoy eating fortified nutritional yeast by the spoonful. Supplement it, or find foods that have it added. Iron, calcium, and omega-3s are also worth keeping an eye on. If in doubt, take a multivitamin and move on with your life.
Don’t Forget to Eat Like a Human Being
Food should still be fun. A healthy vegan diet doesn’t mean bland tofu and salad leaves that taste like regret. Learn to cook a few solid meals, explore spices, try recipes that don’t start with “soak overnight,” and eat enough to feel full. You’re not supposed to be hungry, you’re supposed to be thriving.
Parting Thought:
Being a healthy vegan doesn’t have to mean living off green smoothies and quinoa alone. With a bit of planning, a dash of common sense, and the occasional plant-based protein boost, you’ll do just fine. Even if your non-vegan friends still ask where you get your protein from. Just smile, nod, and pass the lentils.
Photo by Ella Olsson
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Our Editorial Team are writers and experts in their field. Their views and opinions may not always be the views of Wellbeing Magazine. If you are under the direction of medical supervision please speak to your doctor or therapist before following the advice and recommendations in these articles.
