I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2017. It took me six months to adjust to a gluten-free diet, but during this time, I discovered a passion for cooking. I focused on the delicious meals I could eat, not the ones I couldn’t. This dietary change improved my health significantly, and I became strong enough to run over 20 half and full marathons in the next four years. However, I also suspected that dairy was causing me problems, as I sometimes felt ill after consuming it.
In April 2023, my husband and I were in Charlotte, NC, running a half marathon. While staying in an Airbnb, we watched the documentary “Game Changers,” which highlighted the benefits of a vegan diet for athletes. Inspired, we decided to adopt a vegan diet ourselves. This gave me the push to finally give up dairy, and soon after, I found that I was also ready to stop eating meat. My husband’s cholesterol had been high at his last doctor’s visit, so we were hopeful this dietary change would help.
For the next five months, I immersed myself in learning about the vegan diet and building a collection of staple recipes. My husband gifted me an Instant Pot for my birthday in September, which helped me establish a weekly meal prep routine that included a soup, stew, and either a sandwich or salad. I also found products that made it easy to prepare quick meals on busy nights.
In December 2023, my mom casually mentioned that I needed soy formula as an infant. This revelation made me realize that I had been lactose intolerant my whole life, confirming that going vegan was the right choice.
I’ve decided to share my experiences because of the positive impact this lifestyle has had on my family and me. My father-in-law, curious about our new diet, started eating six vegan, gluten-free meals a week. Seven months later, he lost over 20 pounds, and his diabetic medications were reduced. My husband’s cholesterol returned to normal levels after four months on a vegan diet, and he says his energy levels have soared.
Two months after becoming vegan, I noticed a complete transformation in my digestive health. Painful bathroom visits were gone, I maintained a 10-pound weight loss, and my running performance improved significantly. I felt great during my runs, recovered more quickly, and took fewer naps during the day. Although I still face occasional issues with gluten contamination, overall, I’ve reached a new level of well-being.