Getting on board the vegan craze is never as easy as it seems. Nevertheless, an Indian diet is already filled with lots of nutritious fibers, whole grains, legumes and a large variety of vegetables. The thought of living without basic essentials like milk, cheese, yoghurt can seem terrifying.
Whether you are a total meat-lover or a dedicated vegetarian, we have got some brilliant tips to help you follow your brand-new vegan diet. So, hold on because this is just the veganning!
1. Lettuce Eat Our Veggies
Add lots of colour and essential minerals and vitamins to your plate with a handful of veggies. Focus on experimenting with veggie-packed meals to load up on fiber and keep your calories in check.
2. It’s All About Variety
Being vegan is not about limiting yourself to a few, select meatless meals, it’s all about opening yourself to an abundant variety of choices. Eat a balanced meal with a varying amount of healthy foods to get all the nutrition you need. Choose beans, lentils and legumes to get fibers and proteins, leafy greens for vitamins A, C and K and lots of root vegetables.
Get all the colours of the rainbow on your plate! You also don’t need to say good bye to Milk – start drinking almond, coconut or soy milk as a tasty substitute!
3. Refined No More
Go for whole grains like brown, red or black rice, quinoa, whole grain pastas instead of white pasta or white rice to load up on iron and B vitamins. The extra fibers from unrefined, whole grains can help you feel fuller and maybe even reach your fitness goals as well!
These Healthy Alternatives Gluten Free Pastas can make those Italian cravings go away without making you give up on your vegan escapade.
4. Plant Some Protein
Plant proteins are a must for any vegan diet. There are plenty of vegan sources of proteins to opt for like tofu, soybeans, chickpeas, lentils and beans. Go for nutrient-drench nuts like almonds and walnuts as well as seeds like sunflower and pumpkin seeds. The Healthy Alternatives Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are a great healthy, on-the-go, vegan snack option.
5. Vegan Does Not Mean Healthy
Don’t rely on vegan cookies and other processed vegan products for being ‘healthier’ than their non-vegan alternatives. Stick to whole, nutritious foods for a healthy, vegan diet. There’s no harm in indulging in some vegan treats now and then, just don’t assume that they are going to help you get fitter.
6. Load Up On Some Good-For-You Fats
If you are about to embark on the vegan trail, be conscious about including healthy fats in your diet. Go for some nuts and seeds and other sources of healthy fats like avocados. Flax seeds or hemp seeds are a good vegan source of omega-3 fatty acids. Avocado, olive, sesame and coconut oils are also essential for a vegan diet!
7. Think About Supplements
Let’s face it, we are all human after all. Even with loads of fresh produce and whole grains in your diet, you may still be missing out on some essential nutrients like B12 and Iron. Be sure to consult a doctor or an authorised dietician to see which supplements you may need according to your health needs and your diet.
Ready to stock on everything you need for going vegan? Go on a vegan shopping spree at Nature’s Basket.
Your vegan diet shouldn’t deprive your palette of your favourite frozen desserts! Check out these Homemade No Churn Vegan Ice Cream Recipes.
