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Eating a plant-based or vegan diet is something a lot of people are interested in. But it’s easy to feel like it’s too much work or it’s not the right choice for you. Some people can even struggle to imagine eating meals that don’t contain meat or other animal products. However, if eating more plant-based food is something you’re interested in, there are several ways you can ease yourself into it. Whether you want to start eating a vegan diet full-time or you just want to introduce more plant-based meals into what you normally eat, you can try a few different steps to get started.
Look at Naturally Vegan Cuisines
When thinking about plant-based foods, many people immediately begin to imagine replacement products meant to simulate meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. While some people like these products, they can be expensive and often rather disappointing if you would prefer the real thing. Instead of buying these products or trying to make vegan versions of your favorite meals, try looking for cuisines and dishes that just happen to be plant-based. For example, some Indian cuisines are typically vegetarian and don’t often feature dairy either. This is a good way to guarantee tasty dishes that are their own thing.
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Know the Cheap Ingredients
Another perception that many people have is that plant-based diets are expensive. This can be true in some areas, especially when there are processed foods that cost a lot less than fresh foods. However, there are often ways to find affordable ingredients for plant-based meals. For example, beans, legumes, and pulses can make up the bulk of a plant-based meal, and they often don’t cost much (especially when bought in bulk). They can also be a great source of protein. Canned vegetables can also be a cheap way to get plant-based ingredients.
Use Recipes That Are Easily Made Vegan
If you’re looking for a flexible way to eat plant-based meals, try looking for recipes that you can easily tweak to make plant-based or not. This can be a great way to do what you feel like with some reliable recipes, and it can also help if you’re cooking for your family who might not want to eat plant-based. If you make this Thai coconut soup recipe, you can make it with tofu if you want to keep it plant-based. But if you want to change things up, you could easily use a different protein for either you or your family to enjoy.
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Make It Fun
Eating a plant-based diet doesn’t have to be boring. It can be a healthy way to enjoy your food but it can still be a lot of fun if you want it to be. A plant-based diet definitely doesn’t have to be one without treats. You can still enjoy cakes, desserts, and other sweet things or snacks in between your meals. Try some vegan baking to see if you can find some treats that you love.
Getting more plant-based foods into your diet doesn’t have to be difficult. Anyone can do it if they want to.