By: Jhanae Winter

A vegan Caribbean native might sound like an oxymoron. The Caribbean is where you can find some of the best dishes filled with meats, poultry and dairy products. 

What happens if you remove them?

In The Bahamas we love our macaroni and cheese, creamy pasta, crab, conch and crawfish dishes. Just seafood on the whole.

Well if you want to be vegan in the Bahamas you would need to make sure it is the best choice for you. Like with any change to your diet, you have to ensure you are doing it for you and your reasonings can keep you. 

As some who became a vegan for three weeks, yes only three and not working at the time. It was quite easy. I would just need to fix my meals a particular way. This meant more cooking than usual. 

This is why I say you have to be prepared for the lifestyle, because it is much more than taking out meat and dairy. You have to make adjustments to your daily routine to suit your new dietary needs. 

This is the main reason I stopped as I wasn't really committed but wanted to try it out. I had no motivation or reason to do it. I would say it was simply an experiment. 

The good part about it is, veganism is becoming increasingly popular around the world. It is no longer seen as “something only white people do”. This means you have more options to choose from in stores when shopping around and also at restaurants. 

What's even better about this, there is a plethora of vegan recipes that you can make that doesn't cause ‘an arm and a leg’, is visually appealing and actually tastes good. 

So yes, you can eat way more than just “rabbit food”!

For those who want to become a vegan, what type of vegan do you want to be?

According to Healthline there are:

• Whole-food Vegans - As the name suggests, people typically eat a rich whole-food diet such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
• Raw-food Vegans - No cooked food! Or at least cooked below 118°F. This is essentially fruits and vegetables. 
• Dietary Vegans - The individuals are also known as plant based eaters. They typically focus their veganism in the form of food by excluding all animal products but not in other areas such as clothing, makeup and various products. 
• Junk food Vegan (or in my words ‘lazy vegans’) - People who may think being a vegan makes them automatically healthy (allegedly). They eat large amounts of processed and junk food that are vegan as a part of their food consumption. 
• Low-fat Vegans - They exclude foods high in fat such as nuts, avocados, and coconuts, instead relying mainly on fruit. This group is referred to as fruitarians. 

If you want to ‘go vegan’, you might be one or a combination of those listed above. Whatever your choice is, make sure it fits you. 

Also, consider why you want to be a vegan. Is it to fit in with the trends, health purposes or ethical reasonings? Whatever it is you will have to use that as a form of motivation to keep going. 

When family and friends ask you, “why are you eating no meat” or “you want a piece of this macaroni”, you will need the willpower to explain your choices and turn them down. 

When at home or cooking you will have full control; but particular outings and spontaneous activities can limit your options. It's good to scope various food places to ensure they have sufficient vegan options that fits your palate. If going to a friend's house, ask them to consider vegan options for you.

However, if it's not possible you will have to be comfortable with eating various side dishes to satisfy your hunger. But if you are serious about this shift in your diet, don't forsake your beliefs to eat meat.

Don’t fret, take things at a pace if you can't commit to going cold turkey. Dairy substitutes are easier, I mean even carnivores are consuming almond milk and oat milk like their lives depended on it. 

The price in the Bahamas is the biggest factor for people. Healthier food in general is priced higher because it has less toxic and artificial ingredients that don’t benefit our bodies. 

Depending on your type of veganism you might just be buying fruits and vegetables. But if you want a wider range, you will be incorporating various rices, nuts, seed and whole grains to that list. 

Think about this, if you substitute some of the unhealthy and processed foods that you consume on a regular basis for more healthy alternatives, it can be a smoother transition for you. 

If you are curious about this lifestyle, you will have to remove everything out of your diet that contains animal products and by-products; this includes the fine print ingredients. 

However it can be an easier and smoother transition than you think. On any diet it is also important to ensure you take the right supplements your body’s needs. 

Now you're one step closer to living your vegan dreams!