The vegan diet has gained traction worldwide but some may find it challenging to sustain this diet, especially in a food paradise like Singapore. 

 

Veganism is a diet that excludes meat, fish, dairy, eggs and other animal-based products. 

 

Over the years, there has been a rising trend of the vegan diet worldwide. However, many find it challenging to sustain this diet in Singapore’s Food Paradise due to the temptations of the meaty dishes in hawkers and cafés alike. 

 

Follow these five steps to maintain a well-balanced vegan diet in Singapore without losing out on ethnic dishes: 

 

Step 1: Do your Research

Senior dietitian at National University Hospital Ms Charlotte Lin said that sufficient research should be done to sustain a vegan diet. 

 

“Sustainability requires people to put in a bit of effort and having the knowledge of how to test different food groups,” she shared.

 

She also emphasised the need to take supplements, especially for vitamin B12 which can only be found in animal products.

 

“If you want to increase iron intake, you need to pair iron-rich vegetarian food like beans together with vitamin C to increase the absorption,” she advised. 

 

Step 2: Go Slow

Singapore vegan food and recipe blogger Yuan Yishuai, 28, who has been a vegan since she was 18 years old also highlights the importance of doing research as she has encountered many vegans who rush into it, only to realise that it is too drastic a change. 

 

“Don’t jump into it. I would say gradually ease into it,” Ms Yuan insisted, “I know some people who take years to become a vegan and last longer than those who don’t.”

 

Step 3: Communication is Key 

The food blogger mentions that the difficult part about going vegan is not the food. It is facing the insensitive comments one’s friends and family have for a vegan diet. 

 

Parents worry whether their child will get sufficient nutrients and friends poke fun at vegans only eating vegetables. 

 

Freelance nutrition therapist and long-time vegan Ms Goh Ling Chih also thinks that the social factor is the reason some vegans are unable to sustain the diet. 

 

“A vegan can tell family members their reason for going vegan to seek their support and respect for this decision,” she said. 

 

Step 4: Try Eating Out

Most hawker centres have vegetarian stalls that serve fried Beehoon with some vegetarian and vegan side dishes which makes it easy to grab a meal on a budget.

 

Additionally, restaurants like Sunny Choice serve a wide range of Asian vegan food. 

 

Ms Jessy Yew, owner of Sunny Choice, recalls the struggle to come up with Asian vegan dishes. 

 

In spite of that, they still remain a successful small business with delicious Asian cuisines such as vegan Ma La and Assam Fish.