From lo-fi energy to surprise skin glow, here’s what actually happened when I ditched animal products for a month—and what I learned along the way.

Let’s get this out of the way: I wasn’t trying to be that person. You know, the one who posts a green smoothie once and suddenly lectures you about oat milk and karma.

But after one too many late-night dives into climate documentaries, and an unsettling realization that my favorite cheese puff brand had zero ingredients I could pronounce, I decided to try it. Thirty days. Fully vegan. No take-backs.

I expected some things—like eating more hummus than any one person should. But what I didn’t expect were the quiet, sneaky shifts that started happening in my body, mood, and even my shopping cart.

Here’s what changed, and why I’m not going back.

1. My energy leveled out like a lo-fi beats playlist

Before the challenge, my day looked like this: caffeine rush at 9am, snack crash at 11am, then a sluggish scroll-fest around 3pm. You could time my productivity around my blood sugar swings.

About a week into eating plant-based, I noticed something wild: my energy stopped yo-yoing. It wasn’t a superhero jolt—I wasn’t lifting cars or running marathons—but it felt…steady. Like someone turned the volume down on my usual brain fog.

Turns out, this isn’t just me. A 2019 study published in Nutrients found that plant-based diets rich in fiber, complex carbs, and low in saturated fat helped improve energy and vitality levels in participants after just two weeks.

I didn’t even realize how chaotic my energy had been until it stopped acting like a toddler on a sugar high.

2. My digestion threw a house party (and actually invited me)

Let’s talk gut stuff. Not the most glamorous topic, but hey—we all poop.

Before going vegan, I was what I like to call “digestively unpredictable.” Some days were fine, others…let’s just say I avoided road trips.

Week two of plant-based eating? My digestion got regular. Like, clockwork regular. I wasn’t bloated after meals. No more sitting awkwardly after lunch waiting for my stomach to settle like a shaken soda can.

Why? Fiber. Glorious, unsung fiber.

Most Americans barely hit 15 grams a day. But when you swap animal products for legumes, whole grains, and veggies, that number skyrockets—without even trying.

The American Gut Project found that people who eat more than 30 types of plant foods weekly have a more diverse and resilient microbiome.

So yeah, beans are musical—but they also make your gut sing in the best way.

3. I had to relearn how to grocery shop (and that’s a good thing)

Day 1 at the store, I wandered the aisles like I was in a foreign country. My go-to comfort foods—mac and cheese, pepperoni pizza rolls, milk chocolate anything—were off the table. Literally.

But here’s the kicker: being forced to read labels and rethink my habits turned grocery shopping into something more intentional. I wasn’t just tossing things in my cart—I was actually thinking about what I wanted to eat and how I wanted to feel.

I discovered new go-to’s: lentil pasta that doesn’t go mushy, oat-based yogurt that didn’t taste like regret, and a tahini dressing that basically replaced ranch in my life.

If you’re curious, start small. Explore the perimeter of the store (produce, bulk bins, refrigerated plant milks) before you dive into the vegan snack aisle. Or try one new-to-you veggie a week. Romanesco looks like a space vegetable but roasts up like a dream.

4. My cravings didn’t vanish—but they morphed

Confession: I expected going vegan to feel like a constant test of willpower. I figured I’d be daydreaming about fried chicken and gooey cheese within hours. But surprisingly, that didn’t happen. At least, not in the way I feared.

Yes, I missed some flavors. But I also noticed my taste buds doing something magical—they recalibrated. By week three, I was craving things like roasted sweet potatoes, citrusy tahini slaw, and frozen grapes (weirdly addictive, try it).

Even more surprising? The less I ate super-processed foods, the less I wanted them.

I didn’t lose my love for indulgence—I just found new ways to indulge that didn’t leave me in a food coma.

5. My skin cleared up (and no, it wasn’t just “detox” magic)

I’ve always had sensitive skin. Not full-on acne, but enough flare-ups and redness to keep me investing in serums with names that sound like prescription drugs.

Around week four, something shifted. My skin looked calmer. Less reactive. A little glowier, even? I wasn’t sure if it was placebo—so I did a little digging.

Some dermatologists believe a dairy-free diet can reduce inflammation and hormonal breakouts, especially around the jawline and chin.

A 2020 review in JAMA Dermatology found moderate links between dairy and acne, especially in adolescents—but adult skin may benefit too, especially when combined with more antioxidant-rich foods like berries, spinach, and nuts.

No, going vegan won’t replace your moisturizer. But if your skin’s been moody, it might be worth experimenting with more plant-forward meals and less cheese-on-everything.

6. I started thinking bigger than my plate

This might sound woo-woo, but eating vegan made me more mindful—not just about food, but about everything. Once you start questioning what’s on your plate, it’s a short leap to asking where your clothes come from, what’s in your shampoo, and how your habits affect more than just your mood.

I became more aware of waste, of ingredients I couldn’t pronounce, and of the sneaky ways convenience can undermine our values.

I didn’t become a zero-waste guru overnight (still working on my compost game), but I did start carrying a reusable fork, opting out of fast fashion impulse buys, and supporting brands that align with a more plant-positive ethos.

And maybe that’s the biggest takeaway: it’s not just about tofu or tempeh. It’s about being awake to your choices—and realizing you have more power than you think.

So…am I still vegan?

Mostly, yeah. I didn’t intend to stick with it forever, but the benefits were too good to ignore. I feel better, I eat more variety, and I feel more in tune with my values.

Do I still mess up sometimes? Absolutely. There was one incident involving a mini cupcake and zero regrets. But that’s the thing—progress, not perfection.

If you’re even vaguely vegan-curious, I say give it a shot. You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Try one fully plant-based meal a day. Or do a “Meatless Monday” and see how it feels.

Because you might just wake up one morning with steady energy, happy skin, a calm gut—and a fridge full of colorful, fiber-packed joy. And honestly? That’s a pretty sweet trade.

Thinking of trying it? Here’s how to ease in

If this inspired you to give plant-based eating a go—even just part-time—here are a few starter-friendly tips:

Start with swaps, not subtractions

Replace cow’s milk with oat or almond. Try mushrooms instead of meat in tacos. You don’t have to give everything up—just shift your base.

Find your anchor meals

Figure out 3–5 easy vegan meals you love and can rotate. For me, that was lentil curry, tofu stir-fry, vegan Caesar salad, chili, and avocado toast with smoked paprika.

Read labels—but don’t get overwhelmed

Look out for sneaky non-vegan ingredients like whey, casein, gelatin, and anchovy paste. But don’t stress if you mess up—it’s part of the learning curve.

Follow flavor, not perfection

Vegan doesn’t have to mean boring. Load up on spices, sauces, and global flavors. Korean gochujang, Ethiopian berbere, Thai curry paste? All vegan. All delicious.

Final thought?

Trying something new can be intimidating—but so is staying stuck in autopilot.

My 30-day vegan challenge turned out to be a doorway to more energy, better digestion, clearer skin, and a more intentional life. Not bad for a month of beans and curiosity.