Step-by-step guide
How to go vegan, step by step.
Wondering how to start becoming vegan? Follow the seven steps to becoming vegan below, build your week with the free meal planner, and use the guides to understand the lifestyle, eat well, and explore further at your own pace.
7 Steps
10 Guides
1 Free Tool
Updated October 2026
How to Start Going Vegan: 7 Steps
If you are asking how to become vegan, the short answer is to learn the basics, cover your nutrition, change your food one step at a time and plan ahead. These steps to becoming vegan work whether you switch gradually or all at once.
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Understand what vegan means
Veganism avoids animal products in food and, for many people, in clothing and personal care too. Knowing your reasons makes the change easier to stick with. Read the basics.
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Learn the nutrition essentials
Plan for protein, iron, calcium, omega-3 and vitamin B12. B12 needs a fortified food or supplement, so ask a doctor or dietitian what suits you. See the nutrition guide.
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Start with foods you already eat
Many everyday meals are already vegan: lentil soup, bean chilli, pasta with tomato sauce, rice and vegetables. Build your first week from these.
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Swap one category at a time
Replace milk first, then cheese, then eggs, or whichever order feels easiest. Gradual swaps help you find plant-based versions you actually like.
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Learn to read labels
Animal ingredients can hide in everyday products, including whey, casein, gelatin and honey. Checking labels quickly becomes a habit after a few shops.
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Plan your week
A simple plan prevents last-minute fallback meals. Use the free tool to generate a menu and grocery list. Open the meal planner.
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Prepare for real life
Think ahead about family meals, eating out and travel, and extend the change to beauty and fashion when you are ready. Follow the week-by-week transition plan.
Gradual or overnight? Both approaches work. Going gradually gives you time to learn new foods; going all at once suits a clean break. Choose the pace you can keep up. This guide is informational only and is not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are changing your diet significantly, speak to a doctor or registered dietitian.
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Vegan Meal Planner
STEP 01
Set preferencesSTEP 02
Generate menuSTEP 03
Get grocery listStage 01
Understand Before You Go Vegan
What veganism is, and what your body needs to thrive.
3 guides
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01
The Basics: What Is Veganism?
What veganism means, what it isn't, and why people choose it. The first step in how to become vegan.
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02
Nutrition: What to Eat When You Go Vegan
Protein, B12, iron, omega-3 - the essentials, simply explained.
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03
Transition: How to Start Going Vegan Week by Week
A gentle, week-by-week plan for making the switch sustainably.
Stage 02
Living Vegan Beyond Food
Vegan living beyond the plate - practical guides for everyday choices.
Stage 03
Explore: Books, Documentaries & Podcasts
Curated books, films, and podcasts to deepen your understanding.
How to Go Vegan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start going vegan?
Learn what veganism means, cover the key nutrients, swap foods one category at a time, read labels, plan your week with the meal planner, and decide whether to go gradually or all at once. The seven steps above walk through each one.
Should I go vegan overnight or gradually?
Both work. Going gradually, one meal or one product group at a time, gives you time to learn new foods and habits. Going all at once suits people who prefer a clean break. Choose the pace you can sustain.
How long does it take to become vegan?
There is no fixed timeline. Many people transition over a few weeks to a few months, while others switch in a day. What matters is building routines you can keep. The transition guide lays out a week-by-week approach.
What do I eat when I first go vegan?
Start with meals built around foods you already enjoy that happen to be vegan, such as lentils, beans, rice, pasta, vegetables, fruit, nuts and tofu, then add new recipes gradually.
Do I need supplements on a vegan diet?
Vitamin B12 is not reliably available from unfortified plant foods, so a fortified food or supplement is commonly recommended. Speak to a doctor or registered dietitian about what is right for you. See the nutrition guide for more. This site is informational only and is not medical advice.
Stage 04 - Research
Want the evidence behind going vegan?
Peer-reviewed sources - Updated quarterly
Browse peer-reviewed studies on health, environment, and ethics - organised by topic and reading level.