How to become a vegan: five tips for success from someone who made the transition to a plant-based diet

Marko Martinis, the chief operating officer of a technology start-up in Singapore, adopted a plant-based diet in January and says he has never felt better
He says you need a good reason for making the switch, good support and a nutritionist’s input. A big choice of places serving vegan food helps, as in Singapore

Wellness

Angela Jelita

Published: 5:25am, 18 Nov 2020

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Singapore is considered one of the best cities in the world for vegan food. According to animal rights organisation Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), the city leads the way in Asia, ranking second after Taipei. For those wishing to make the switch to a plant-based lifestyle or incorporate more plant-based meals in their diet, the Lion City is a great place to be.

Marko Martinis, the chief operating officer of a technology start-up in Singapore, is one such person – he decided to make the switch to a plant-based diet in January and he has never felt better.

The Croatian expat says adopting a vegan lifestyle has been flawless. “It’s so easy to become vegan in Singapore,” he says. “I even eat out for every single meal except breakfast.”

Martinis has shed 8kg (17.6 pounds) since going vegan, and says his fitness has substantially improved. At work, he reports feeling much more energetic – “lighter” – and he can concentrate better, as he no longer experiences any fogginess after eating heavy, meat-laden meals.

Marko Martinis adopted a plant-based diet in January and says he has never felt better. Photo: Marko Martinis

Martinis admits he felt doubt about his decision before he stopped eating meat, especially after seeing other people who aspired to do the same fail. “In any diet you’re going to have obstacles,” he says, “but from day one I did it right.”

If you are considering adopting a plant-based diet, consider Martinis’ top tips for making a smooth transition:

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1. Have a strong reason for going vegan

Make a strong connection to the reasons you’re going plant-based. It could be for weight loss, health issues, your compassion towards animals, or to contribute towards a more sustainable environment.

For Martinis, it was his compassion towards animals, which grew out of his daily meditation practice. “If you start to feel compassion for everybody around you, you’re going to start to feel compassion towards those who are suffering, including animals.”

Vegan lasagne from Afterglow by Anglow in Singapore. Photo: courtesy of Afterglow by Anglow

2. Keep score

It’s important to hold yourself accountable for the things you put into your body. “Before you eat something, ask yourself: ‘is this food going to help me or set me back?’” asks Martinis.

Martinis did this by taking up the Green Warrior Challenge, an online course, backed by a support group, that helps people make a successful transition to a whole food, plant-based diet. Every morning for a month, he filled out an online spreadsheet, and received positive or negative points for the foods he consumed throughout the day.

“Animal products and junk plant-based foods give you negative points, but healthy whole plant-based foods give you positive points,” he explained. Results were shared daily on Facebook and in a WhatsApp group with others making the same transition, which helped Martinis feel he was being held accountable for his food choices.

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3. Have the support of friends and family

Make sure you have the support of friends, family, a partner, or somebody who wants to make the switch with you. “If you can find a group of people who are on the same wavelength, then the energy is fire,” says Martinis. “If you’re on your own, the probability is everyone around you is a doubter, which makes it much harder.”

Martinis suggests joining vegan Facebook and WhatsApp groups for that extra reinforcement. You can also follow healthy vegan advocates on social media, which can help you stay on track and give you extra inspiration.

A breakfast vegan burger from Love Handle Burgers in Singapore. Photo: courtesy of Love Handle Burger

4. Do your research

There are many great apps available to help you find vegan dishes and restaurants. Singapore-based A Billion Veg is a popular user-review app that tracks down vegan dishes, products and restaurants in your area, while donating to animal rescue charities around the world.

During the week, Martinis eats healthy food from places like SaladStop! Yolo, Haakon Superfoods, and Privé. On weekends, he chooses from a selection of places that serve brunch-style meals like Real Food, Afterglow by Anglow, and The Living Café, but he also allows himself some “vegan junk food” from places like Sunny Slices, Love Handle Burgers, and nomVnom.

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5. Get the right nutrition

Martinis advises speaking with a professional who understands and supports your goals and can help to structure your meals. “I have a naturopath whom I’ve worked with for years and whose job is to keep me healthy,” he shares.

To ensure you’re getting the right nutrition and are remaining on track, Martinis suggests having your blood work checked before the transition, and every four to six months afterwards. Even though Martinis eats out for every meal except for breakfast, his blood work has improved since he stopped eating meat. His good cholesterol, or HDL (high-density lipoprotein), went up, and his LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or bad cholesterol, went down significantly.

Kimchi avocado roll from Afterglow by Anglow in Singapore. Photo: courtesy of Afterglow by Anglow

Martinis also recommends supplementing to ensure you’re getting all the right vitamins and minerals. “I use B12, omega-3, magnesium, vitamin C, and zinc – all of which I also took when I was a meat eater,” he says.

Martinis notes that every plant contains protein – at least 14 per cent of the total calories of every plant food you eat are from protein. Legumes are Martinis’ primary source of protein, and he also has a pea-based protein powder shake three times a day. Protein markers in Martinis’ blood work are in the ideal spectrum.

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