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Our Office Went Vegan For A Week And This Is What We Learned

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After some careful manipulation by two team members who wanted to take the permanent plunge into vegetarianism, some of Lovin Malta’s employees decided to try being vegan for a week.

It had some ups and downs, with varying levels of success, but despite everything some serious lessons were learned. Here are nine that really stood out.

1. Malta doesn’t make it easy

From not providing all the information on locally-produced food to having near-zero options at any given supermarket or restaurant, Malta’s attitude towards veganism means finding the right food a chore. And once you start feeling disheartened it’s hard to break out of.

2. And there’s the constant risk of messing up

PSA: honey is not vegan. We learnt this hard way after confidently using it to marinate some carrots or add some zhoosh (a real word) to a milkless tea. Also when you’re drunk burgers smell better and one team member had a particular struggle with not stress-eating Baci.

The point is, at the start you’re going to stumble a couple of times, and that’s ok as long as you’re willing to keep getting back up.

Kira: “Also, one of the hardest things to learn was that most wine is not vegan.”

3. It forces you to prepare your lunches

You’re unlikely to find a wide variety of vegan-friendly meals at your work cafeteria, which means now more than ever you’re waking up a little earlier to prepare your own lunches. The upside is saving money and knowing exactly what’s in your meal. The downside is the one day you sleep in is also the day you eat a packet of nuts and a cereal bar for lunch.

4. The cravings are real

When your partner still cooks bacon (a thing that happened too often) and your coworker brings a pulled pork sandwich to lunch (also an oddly repetitive occurrence), it’s hard to not miss meat. Pretending you’re not drooling over the idea isn’t helping; you’e just got to power through it and find a snack that helps you feel satisfied.

5. But fries are actually a gift from heaven

Unless the oil used is made from animal fats (always ask, just in case) fries are literally the ultimate vegan ‘cheat meal’. 

If you want to take it to a whole new level of savage make a chipwich. Bread, ketchup, vegan cheese, fries and a final slice of bread on top. Savage, but perfect.

6. Starting as a group helps

Having a WhatsApp thread to whine on can help you feel like you’re not alone, and for some reason suffering as a group just helps. So before you take the plunge bully some friends or coworkers into starting with you. Even if they don’t keep it up they’ll help you past the hardest part.

Also, it may just be our team, but having a competitive edge also challenged us to try our hardest. Every day as another episode of: whose vegan meal looks/tastes the best.

7. And it’s easy to see why there’s the stereotype of talking about it non-stop

You can act like you’d never be ‘that person’ but before long your insta-story will be flooded with tips and tricks and the second or third sentence at every social gathering will be: “since I’m vegan…”.

It just happens, and that’s ok. Talk it out, spread the good word and enjoy being proud of the effort you’re making.

8. The first week is the hardest

Seven days in is when you really start to get into the rhythm of things. You no longer accidentally take out chicken to defrost before starting a curry and even though the cravings remain a while longer, you’ve already started figuring out out to deal with them. 

The hardest part is over and you’re starting to work smarter, not just harder.

9. And even those who gave up learnt a lot

At the end of vegan week at Lovin Malta’s office, Kira and Chris have gone back to their regular diet but they have said they’re a lot more aware of when they’re using meat. 

Kira: “Honestly, I was surprised I even made it to day two, let alone day six. It’s definitely made me cut down on meat and dairy, but I can’t cut it out completely.”

Chris: “Before, I’d just add chicken like it was any other ingredient. After this week I’m extremely conscious of the fact that I’m adding an animal product to a meal.”

Matt and Chucky however have used the opportunity to push through into a vegetarian life. 

Chucky: “It was a good way to start, a baptism of fire. Hopefully Matt and I keep on challenging each other to stay on this path. Plus, I have an already-vegetarian boyfriend it’s hard to imagine a future where there’s actual meat in our house.”

BONUS: Get Pinterest

There’s so many incredible recipes, hints and tips for how to survive being vegan and make it fun and tasty. So if you’re not already signed on you’d better fix that ASAP.

Share this if you’d try vegan week

READ NEXT: 9 Delicious Maltese Vegan Snack Foods You Must Try

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