Vegan Struggles: Practical Tips to Make Plant‑Based Living Easier

If you’ve gone vegan, you’ve probably hit a few bumps along the road. Maybe your skin looks a bit dull, you’re missing a nutrient, or you just can’t stop dreaming about cheese. These frustrations are normal, and the good news is there are simple fixes you can try right now.

Skin Issues – The ‘Vegan Face’ Problem

Many vegans notice their face loses a bit of bounce after a few weeks. The culprit is often a lack of essential fats and certain vitamins that keep skin plump. Swap out processed snacks for a handful of walnuts, chia seeds, or a spoonful of hemp oil. Add a daily dose of vitamin E‑rich foods like almonds or sunflower seeds, and don’t forget to include leafy greens for vitamin C, which helps collagen production.

If you’re still seeing fine lines, try a quick smoothie with avocado, spinach, and a splash of fortified soy milk. The healthy fats and antioxidants work together to restore that glow without any animal products.

Nutrition Gaps – Getting All the Essentials

Protein, B12, iron, and omega‑3s are the usual suspects when vegans feel low on energy. A simple way to cover them is to plan one “power bowl” a day. Use quinoa or lentils as the base (both give protein and iron), add roasted veggies, and drizzle with a flax‑seed or algae‑oil dressing for omega‑3s. For B12, a daily supplement is the cheapest, most reliable route—just 25 µg a day keeps you safe.

Another trick is to rotate fortified foods: breakfast cereals, plant milks, and nutritional yeast all contain B12, DHA, and other micronutrients. By mixing them up you avoid monotony and get a broader nutrient profile.

Cravings for cheese or meat can feel overwhelming, especially during social events. Instead of fighting the urge, channel it into a satisfying vegan alternative. Nutritional yeast sprinkled on popcorn mimics cheesy flavor, while smoked tempeh or seitan gives that hearty “meaty” bite without the animal product.

When you’re short on time, keep a few go‑to recipes in your back pocket. A 5‑minute oat‑power‑bowl (the same one featured in our popular "World’s No.1 Healthy Breakfast" post) uses rolled oats, plant‑based protein powder, berries, and a dash of cinnamon. It’s quick, filling, and covers carbs, protein, and antioxidants in one bowl.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of community. Join a local vegan meetup or an online forum where people share their favorite hacks. Swapping recipe ideas, supplement brands, and grocery store finds can save you hours of trial and error.

Every vegan journey has its own set of challenges, but with a few smart tweaks you can turn those struggles into habits that stick. Focus on whole foods, keep a simple supplement routine, and treat cravings as cues to experiment with new plant‑based flavors. Your body, skin, and taste buds will thank you.