5 Delicious Plant-Based Meals
The coronavirus pandemic has drastically changed everyone’s lives in the last few weeks. It has led to multiple lockdowns, social distancing regimes, and other protective measures. Almost every aspect of normal life has changed from going for a walk outside to grocery shopping.
Throughout this pandemic, an interesting trend has appeared. Due to shortages in beef and pork, people have been buying less meat. As a result, there has been an increase in sales for plant-based meats and less expensive pantry staples, such as beans, rice, and pasta.
Perhaps you find yourself in a similar position where you are choosing meat substitutes or plant-based protein sources. Incorporating more plant-based protein is also a good way to cut down on food costs. There are numerous recipes online, or in cookbooks, that utilize plant-based protein. You can even try substituting meat for plant protein in your favorite recipes, such as Bolognese sauce.
4 Tips for Eating Plant-Based
There are many ways you can incorporate more plant protein into your diet.
1. Make veggies the star of the meal – Fill half of your plate with different colorful veggies, create a rainbow of color on your plate. Feel free to get creative in the kitchen with cooking methods, spices, and herbs!
2. Include whole grains in your meals, particularly breakfast. Try oatmeal topped with berries for breakfast or a stack of whole wheat pancakes.
3. Eat your greens. Dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, arugula, or collards offer lots of important vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, which is needed for bone health.
4. Treat yourself to some fresh fruit for dessert. Chop up some of your favorite fruits for a yummy fruit salad! Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, kiwi, grapes, pineapple, mango, watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe are some great ideas for these warmer months.
5 Delicious Plant-Based Meals
It’s great to have a basic understanding of what it means to eat largely plant-based or have tips for how to do so, but you may be wondering what meals you could create in the kitchen. I’ve listed five tasty ideas below!
1. Three Bean Chili – Quick and easy to prepare with tasty ingredients. Bean chili is packed with plant protein and fiber.
2. Tofu Scramble – A perfect meal to wake up to, this scramble is made with tofu which takes on the flavor of the spices or veggies you include. Now is your time to experiment and find the perfect taste.
3. Black Bean Veggie Burgers – This may be a bit of a classic by now in the world of plant-based eating, and for good reason. Black beans are inexpensive and brimming with nutrition. Serve on a whole wheat bun and you have the perfect dinner!
4. Pasta with Mixed Vegetables and Marinara Sauce – Pair your favorite pasta with a variety of veggies like asparagus, mushrooms, or artichoke hearts. Top it all off with some homemade or store-bought marinara sauce.
5. Veggie Burrito Bowl – A spin on the store-bought burrito bowls, but homemade and plant-based! You can add in several different items such as rice, black or pinto beans, roasted corn, Pico de Gallo, guacamole, shredded lettuce, spicy tofu…and whatever else you would enjoy!
The internet is overflowing with plant-based inspiration. Look up some recipes that are new to you or plant-based versions of your favorite meals. There is something for everyone.
If you are looking for more yummy recipes, check out Enjoying Food Peace: Recipes and Intuitive Eating Wisdom to Nourish Your Body and Mind (my most recent cookbook, which you can purchase here if you haven’t already)
Your Turn to Take Action: How will you include plants in your meals? Let me know in the comments below!
It’s really impressive to read how you can approach plant-based recipes with all of these ideas. Diversifying our daily menu here at home has always been something I wanted to work on, and having more veggie meals sounds like a great start. I’ll continue using your ideas and searching for more plant-based meal ideas from other blogs so I can make a great menu for my family.