In the new year, everyone tries to find ways to make themselves happier and healthier. With the rising popularity of events such as Veganuary (going vegan for the entire month of January), many people have expressed the desire to eat less meat. Going fully vegan can be a difficult task depending on where you live and how much time you have. However, there are plenty of easy ways to incorporate more plants into your diet. Here are eight ways to eat more plants in a sustainable and healthy way:
1. Eat more beans, lentils, and legumes
Many people unfamiliar with plant-based diets tend to gravitate towards vegetables and fruit. While you should definitely still consume these foods, they alone won’t keep you satisfied or provide you with a good source of protein. Beans, lentils, and other legumes are great sources of both protein and fiber, therefore keeping you full for longer.
2. Learn how to properly cook tofu
Tofu is another great source of plant-based protein, but many people don’t know how to cook it properly. If tofu is badly prepared, it can taste rubbery and bland, but when prepared correctly it’s incredibly delicious and satisfying. It is also helpful to distinguish between the different types of tofu and what to make with each.
3. Make use of nut butters and healthy oils
One easy way to insure you don’t get hungry between meals is to incorporate healthy fats into your diet (yes, fat can be healthy!). Many nut butters and oils such as olive oil and avocado oil are rich in nutrients and unsaturated fats.
4. Cook at home more often
Eating out can be tricky with a plant-based diet because many restaurants don’t offer good options. Choosing between a side salad and a juicy cheeseburger could tempt you to choose the latter option. This temptation can easily be avoided if you prepare yourself a delicious meal at home. You will likely save money too!
5. Look up menus ahead of time
If you do choose to go out, make sure you choose a place with decent meatless options. Given the rising popularity of veganism, plant-based meals are becoming increasingly more available. Still, it’s a good idea to look at the menu ahead of time to make sure.
6. Try Impossible or Beyond beef
If you’re really craving meat, try an Impossible or Beyond Burger. They taste just like the real thing, but they’re made entirely from plants! No animals are harmed while making them and they are significantly better for the environment than their meat counterpart.
7. Find the non-dairy milk that you like best
There are countless non-dairy milk options available in grocery stores now: soy, oat, almond, rice, hemp, pea, and many more. Each one serves different purposes. Almond milk is great for cereal, while oat is best in coffee. Everyone has different preferences, but with so many products available, it’s easy to find a non-dairy milk that you’ll love.
8. Don’t tell yourself that you’re eliminating meat/animal products completely
Even if this is your long-term goal, if you regularly consume meat it will be difficult to make such a drastic change. In order to more sustainably switch to a plant-based diet, it’s better to slowly consume less meat and incorporate more plant-based protein into your diet. Eventually, eliminating meat will no longer seem that difficult since it won’t play such a large role in your diet. If you immediately tell yourself you no longer eat meat, one slip-up could cause you to spiral back into your old habits.