Plant-Based Starter Guide

Following a plant-based diet can feel daunting and difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! With some easy swaps, a little planning and some awesome recipes, you’ll find that being plant-based is a breeze! Best of all we’ve made it even easier by compiling a list of nutrition resources, bloggers to follow and some tips and tricks.

Nutrition Resources

If you’ve got nutrition questions, we’ve got lots of answers on the Daiya Blog with blog posts covering topics like plant-based iron, calcium, protein, omegas and more.

Mercy for Animals also created an awesome resource called ChooseVeg that has lots of how-to guides on transitioning to a plant-based diet, what foods you need to eat to nourish your body and more!

Whitney E is a registered dietician and gives great nutrition advice in easy to understand, fun and relatable blog posts. She’s an excellent resource if you’re new to a plant-based diet or simply looking to up your nutrition game.

Easy Plant-based Swaps, Tips and Tricks

• Have your cake and eat it too. Replace an egg with 1 tablespoon of flax and three tablespoons of water in your baking. Flax works great as a binder and has the added benefit of being a good source of omega 3’s.
• Worried about your caffeine fix? Swap out milk for almond milk. It’s more rewarding if you make it from scratch using this guide from Nutrition Stripped
• Craving something familiar? Take advantage of these accidentally vegan foods like Oreos.
• Be ready for mealtime. Stock your pantry with plant-based staples like lentils, beans, quinoa and brown rice so that you can always throw together a quick and nutritious meal.
• Keep snack time simple. A small handful of nuts is always a filling and satisfying snack when you’re on the go.
• Be prepared. Even though many restaurants have great plant-based options, always check out a restaurant menu before you head there to have a game plan.
• Try foods from different cultures. A wide array of Indian Cuisine is already plant-based – not to mention delicious!
• Get excited about trying new foods. Try one new vegetable, grain or fruit a week to keep things fun and interesting without getting overwhelmed.

Plant-based Bloggers We LOVE

1) Plant Based Jane is a college student in NYC who shares her deliciously simple home-cooked recipes on her blog. Our favorite recipe is her Cheezy Pesto Mac and Cheeze. It’s so good you’ll want to eat the whole bowl.

2) Ilene from The Colorful Kitchen creates beautiful, recipes for her and her daughter. You’ll love her Vegan Balsamic Sweet Potato Grilled Cheeze for its unique flavor and tasty texture.

3) Toni from Plant-Based on a Budget is famous for her plant-based recipes that don’t break the bank, and she’s a great resource when switching to a plant-based diet. Her Dairy-Free Enchilada Casserole is so gooey and cheezy you won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything.

 

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A post shared by Toni | Plant-Based on a Budget (@plantbasedonabudget) on Nov 9, 2018 at 12:50pm PST

4) Jessica in the Kitchen creates wholesome, delicious, mouth-watering recipes that are perfect for those new to a plant-based diet. Best of all, she’s got dessert recipes that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

5) Cara Cifelli from Cara’s Kitchen has some nutritious and delicious plant-based recipes. We love her Anti-Inflammatory Golden Cauliflower Soup on a cold winter’s night for its warming spices and creamy texture.

6) Oh She Glows has a huge collection of plant-based recipes. Angela Liddon has one for any occasion or taste. Her Vegan Green Goddess Dressing is a plant-based classic for a reason. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any bowl or salad you can dream up.

Feeds and Hashtags to follow!

We know you’re on the gram so here are some plant-based influencers whose feeds are a feast for the eyes. They’re great for recipe inspiration, plant-based encouragement, and the latest tips and tricks. Give them a follow.

#plantbased

#plantpowered

@thesuperfoodgoddess

@phruitfuldish

@allshedoesiseat_

@happyandhealthy96

@vegantraveleats

@kirstieisvegan

@hotforfood

@hold_the_olives

@naturallyzuzu

@thekitchn