Before I went vegan, I had a list in my head. You know the one.
All the things I thought I’d never be able to live without:
- Cheese (specifically sharp cheddar)
- Creamer in my coffee
- Burgers on the grill
- Mom’s famous holiday roast
- Ice cream after a long day
I had this very real fear that if I said yes to a plant-based lifestyle, I was also saying goodbye to joy, comfort, culture, and—let’s be honest—fun.
I wasn’t just afraid I’d miss the food—I was afraid I’d miss out on connection, tradition, ease. I thought going vegan would make me that person—the difficult dinner guest, the party pooper, the mom who brings her own snacks to birthday parties.
But here’s what actually happened: I did go vegan. And I don’t miss a single thing on that list.
If you’re sitting there thinking, “There’s no way I could ever give up [insert your thing here],” keep reading. Because I’m breaking down the biggest things I thought I’d mourn—and why they turned out to be way easier to release than I ever expected.
Spoiler: It’s not about replacing them—it’s about redefining them.
1. Cheese (Yep, Even That Kind)
Let’s start with the big one.
Cheese is the thing that keeps so many people from even considering going vegan. It’s gooey. It’s creamy. It’s emotional, somehow. I get it.
But here’s the kicker: once I got past the cravings (which are real, but short-lived), I realized I didn’t actually miss cheese—I missed what cheese represented.
Comfort. Familiarity. Indulgence.
And guess what? I found new ways to have all of that. Plant-based cheeses have come a long way (like way far). I’m talking nut-based bries, meltable mozzarellas, sharp cheddar shreds that are weirdly legit. And don’t get me started on cashew queso.
Also: my body started feeling better. No more bloating, breakouts, or that weird foggy feeling after a dairy-heavy meal. So yeah, cheese had to go—but I honestly feel like I upgraded.
2. Creamer in My Coffee
I was prepared to suffer for this one. I had a deep and spiritual connection to my vanilla creamer.
But when I started experimenting, I found my holy grail: oat milk barista blend.
It’s rich, frothy, and doesn’t taste like sadness. Add a splash of vanilla extract or cinnamon, and boom—you’ve got a morning ritual that feels even more luxurious.
Plus, no weird aftertaste, and none of that weird guilt that used to sneak in when I thought too hard about where that milk came from.
Now, coffee feels cleaner. Calmer. Still energizing, but not loaded with dairy drama.
3. Burgers on the Grill
This was a summertime staple. I’d stand at the grill flipping patties, feeling like the Queen of Backyard BBQs.
So yes, I was nervous about this one. But what I’ve learned is: it was never just about the burger. It was about the ritual, the sizzle, the gathering.
And you know what? Vegan burgers are ridiculously good now. Like, fool-your-meat-eating-friends good. There are smoky black bean burgers, hearty beet burgers, and the ever-iconic Impossible and Beyond patties if you’re in the mood for something close to the real thing.
I still grill. I still host. And no one ever leaves my house hungry or disappointed.
4. Mom’s Famous Holiday Roast
I won’t lie—this one got me in my feels. That roast had history. Nostalgia. The smell alone was enough to make me feel five years old again.
But here’s what I realized: it wasn’t the meat that made the holidays special. It was the tradition, the togetherness, the laughter at the kids’ table, the clinking of glasses.
So we created new traditions. Now, I make a beautiful mushroom wellington or a lentil loaf with roasted garlic glaze. We pass around vegan stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, cranberry sauce that doesn’t come from a can.
And the table? Still full of love. Still full of joy. Still so full.
5. Ice Cream After a Long Day
This was my go-to comfort treat. The one I grabbed when life felt a little too much. So I totally thought I’d miss it.
But let me tell you: the vegan ice cream scene is thriving.
We’ve got almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, and coconut milk bases. We’ve got flavors like mint chip, chocolate brownie, peanut butter swirl, and birthday cake. We’ve even got pints with gooey cookie dough and fudge ribbons that’ll make you forget dairy was ever a thing.
And yes, I still eat it straight from the carton. Some things never change.
6. Feeling Normal Around Food
This one’s a little more under-the-surface.
I thought going vegan would make me feel like the weirdo. Like I was constantly explaining myself, being difficult, making things inconvenient.
But what happened instead is that I felt free.
Free from diet culture. Free from shame. Free from eating things that didn’t sit right with my body or my values.
And yes, sometimes I have to speak up or advocate for myself. But I’ve also found a whole community of people who get it—and a deep inner peace that’s worth more than any awkward moment at a dinner party.
7. Eating Without Thinking
Before going vegan, I didn’t think much about what I ate. Food was about taste, convenience, and cravings.
Now? It’s intentional.
I still love food (arguably more now). But I also love knowing that my choices support animals, the planet, and my own well-being.
Food became more than just fuel. It became a way to live in alignment with who I am and what I care about.
And that shift? That’s something I never saw coming—but it’s what I cherish most.
So No, I Don’t Miss a Thing
Not the cheese. Not the burgers. Not the old traditions that didn’t serve me anymore.
I thought I’d be mourning the loss of flavor, connection, fun.
But instead, I found new flavors. Stronger connections. More fun—because there’s something deeply joyful about knowing you’re living your truth, bite by bite.
If you’re afraid of what you’ll miss, I get it. I really do. But I hope this blog helps you see that the fear of missing out often melts away once you start.
It’s not about giving things up. It’s about choosing differently—and finding out that different can be absolutely delicious.
P.S. If you’re holding tight to your one thing—you know the one—I’d love to hear what it is. Drop it in the comments, and maybe I’ll help you find a plant-based swap that won’t disappoint. 💬
Let’s talk about it.
Kristyn Medeiros 