Foods You Start Eating After Going Plant-Based

With a change in diet comes the addition of new and different foods. Switching from a typical, no-restriction diet to a whole foods plant-based diet is no exception. While unfortunately a lot of people don’t discover or consume enough of these foods until after they’ve changed their diet, all of them can and should be added to what you eat no matter what diet you follow.

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Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast, commonly known as nooch to some, is a deactivated yeast grown on molasses. These yellow flakes have an almost cheesy and savory flavor. You will find it commonly in vegan/plant-based cheese sauces. It can be used as a plant-based Parmesan sprinkled on top of foods. Not only does it have a great flavor, but it is highly nutritious. It adds antioxidants, vitamins and even protein to your food.

Tahini

Tahini is an almost peanut butter-like paste made from ground sesame seeds. It is a creamy condiment that can be used to make plant-based sauces and dips, though most commonly hummus. Tahini is extremely versatile and can be used in both savory and even sweet recipes. In addition, Tahini is full of healthy fats which in turn helps with nutrient absorption within your body. It is also full of protein containing 5.1 grams of protein per 2 tablespoons.

Ground Flax Seed

Flax is an extremely healthy and nutrient dense seed. It is full of omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber among many other minerals and nutrients. Flax seed is known to help with cholesterol and lower blood pressure. It contains cancer and other disease fighting properties that helps to prevent and reverse illnesses. Ground flax seed in particular is very versatile and easy to add into different recipes. It is commonly used as an egg substitute in vegan and plant-based recipes as it helps to hold things together like these ‘meat’balls. You can also add ground flax into oatmeal or smoothies for added nutritional value without even knowing its there.

Almond Butter

Almond butter is a nut butter made of.. you guesses it, almonds. It is incredibly nutritious and a great source of plant-based protein and healthy fats. Almond butter is great for adding protein and flavor to recipes. Add a tablespoon to your morning oatmeal or put it on toast with granola. It is very versatile and can be used to make sauces or dressings. Almond butter can also be used as a fat in cooking and as a replacement to butter in some recipes, like in these cookies. Not only does it add nutritional value but it also adds a great flavor and is a much better alternative to oil or an overly processed vegan butter.

Hemp Hearts/ Protein Powder

Hemp hearts and hemp protein powder are also a great source of plant-based protein. Furthermore, hemp hearts are incredibly nutritious, being rich in fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. Much like flax seeds, hemp hearts can easily be added to meals for added nutritional value. They can be sprinkled on top of salads or even oatmeal.

In addition, Hemp protein powder is full of amino acids, fiber and good fats. It is a great replacement for whey powder for those who workout and drink protein shakes or in smoothies for added protein and nutrients.

Canned Coconut Milk

Canned coconut milk is a common ingredient in vegan/plant-based cooking. It can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. Canned coconut milk is very creamy which makes it perfect for things like sauces or dressings. The coconut flavor can easily be hidden and is unnoticeable in most recipes. There is so much you can do with it from plant-based Alfredo to coconut ice cream. When purchasing canned coconut milk, make sure it is organic and that the can is BPA free.

Cashews

Cashews are another commonly found ingredient in many plant-based recipes. There is so much more that can be done with them then just snacking. Raw cashews are often use to make creamy sauces, dressing, plant-based cheese, and even cheesecake. Furthermore, cashews are very nutritious. They are full of healthy fats and great for heart health in addition to being a good source of protein.

Greater Variety of Beans and Legumes

Along with nuts, beans and legumes are another important source of plant-based protein. Beans and legumes are packed with nutritious benefits and should regularly be apart of anyone’s diet. Read more about the health benefits of beans here. Both beans and legumes are very versatile as well, making them incredibly easy to add to just about any meal. There are many different types of both beans and legumes available with an infinite amount of possible recipes.

One example of a legume that is abundantly found in a plant-based diet are chickpeas. Deemed one of the most versatile legumes, chickpeas can be used to make desserts, dips or simply be the main course. After all, vegans love their hummus!

Greater Variety of Fruits and Vegetables

No matter the diet, if you want to be healthy you need to consume a lot of fruits and vegetables. However, it is often not until people start a whole foods, plant-based diet that they truly branch out and increase the variety of fruits and vegetables in their diet. In fact, it is said that humans eat a measly 200 species of edible plants when there is an estimated 300,000 species of edible plants. The earth has provided us with an abundance of naturally healing and healthy fruits and vegetables, so why not take advantage of all the options?

In conclusion, going plant-based means that there will be changes. These are just a few examples of some of the new foods one can expect to see or eat more of after going plant-based.

What foods have you started eating more of or that were new to you once you went plant-based? Let me know and leave a comment below!