Getting Started

Transitioning to Plant-based

One of the easiest ways to transition to plant-based eating is to update or revise your current favorite recipes. You know, the ones that you eat most often. For me, this would be spaghetti bolognese and tacos. Most meals can be prepared healthier so don’t be afraid to experiment. They won’t all be winners the first time you try but don’t give up.

How to experiment with recipes?

The main goal of experimenting with recipes is to make them plant-based. We want to replace as much of the meat and dairy as we can with ingredients that are healthy for us and provide our bodies with beneficial nutrients and fiber that fight common diseases.

Keep in mind that there may be multiple plant-based options available for each dish that you’re experimenting with. There are multiple options for substituting meat, dairy, and eggs. Keep trying until you find the one that suits your tastes.

 

Ingredient Substitution Tips

  • Aim for minimally processed ingredients when possible.
  • Steer clear of fake meats as there are healthier alternatives.
  • Don’t be afraid to explore unfamiliar ingredients.
  • Foods may taste different with different cooking methods.

Meat Substitutions

Lentils

Mushrooms

Cauliflower

Beans

Jackfruit

Extra Firm Tofu

Dairy Substitutions

Cashews

Hemp Seeds

Almonds

Nutritional Yeast

Silken Tofu

 

Egg Substitutions

Ground Flaxseed

Ground Chia Seeds

Mashed Banana

Pumpkin Puree

Aquafaba

My Favorite Cooksbooks

Healthy & Easy Plant-based Recipes

These are cookbooks that I have, enjoy and use regularly. I encourage you to check them out. If you own other plant-based cookbooks that you enjoy, I’d love to hear about them. Send me a message so I can check them out.

My Favorite Food Bloggers

Vegan and Vegetarian Food Bloggers

I’ve made several recipes from these food bloggers and they’ve been great. I recommend following all of these bloggers for great recipes. Don’t forget to also sign up for their newsletters and follow them on Instagram for the beautiful food photography.

Nora Cooks Food Blogger

NoraCooks.com

Easy and delicious vegan recipes that everyone can enjoy. Recipes are approachable, full of flavor, and made with everyday ingredients.

Nora Cooks Food Blogger

ItDoesntTasteLikeChicken.com

Totally scrumptious, comfort food favorites and everyday meals made vegan. No fussing about, just good ol’ food that everyone will love, vegan or not.

Nora Cooks Food Blogger

CookieandKate.com

This blog is all about celebrating good food—real, sustainable food that delights the senses and nourishes the body. All of the recipes are vegetarian.

Nora Cooks Food Blogger

Elavegan.com

Plant-based vegan recipes that are healthy, delicious, and good for our bodies and for our planet. Most are also refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and easy to make.

Nora Cooks Food Blogger

LoveandLemons.com

Recipes to inspire you to try cooking a new vegetable or try cooking a familiar vegetable in a new way. Includes guides to working with vegetables.

Nora Cooks Food Blogger

SimplyQuinoa.com

You will find hundreds of recipes with plants as the base, while also giving you a variety of ideas for making the recipes work for all types of diets.