What should you eat as a vegan?

Image taken by Natasha Clavaux

I’ve learned that being #vegan takes some extra effort. It’s extremely important to include healthy foods into your diet, otherwise you’ll end up feeling groggy and having to deal with constant headaches. Trust me, I’ve learned it the hard way.

I felt awful and groggy but still didn’t change anything in my diet. Then one day, my body caved in. I actually fainted.

In the beginning of the year I tried to cut out meat from my diet for 21 days. Sound familiar?

I thought, “this is going to be easy”. Worst experience ever! I stopped eating meat but I was still eating unhealthy and not giving my body the nutrients and vitamins it needed. I felt awful and groggy but still didn’t change anything in my diet. Then one day, my body caved in. I actually fainted. It was a terrifying experience because it never happened before. Luckily my good friend was with me to ensure I was alive and okay.

This time. I’m doing it right! When going vegan, you are not eating meat, seafood, eggs or diary. Basically, anything that comes from an animal, you can’t eat. That’s why, It is very important to research and educate yourself on the right foods you need to give your body when going on a plant-based diet.

Here’s a few healthy foods I have to add to my diet. Again, It is essential that you eat the right amount of healthy foods to ensure that your body is getting all the nutrients and vitamins it needs.

Fruit and Vegetables:

We all know it’s good for you and packed with minerals and vitamins. End of story. No seriously, I’ll probably have to eat a lot more fruit and vegetables than I normally do. I will only be sticking to a few fruits and vegetables because let’s be honest – it can get expensive! I’ll be eating more dark leafy greens such as spinach, broccoli and maybe I’ll splurge on some kale. I’ve read that when cooking your greens, you should try sprinkling some lemon juice on them. It makes the calcium more available to your body. I’ll also be eating a lot more cauliflower and sweet potato as it can be used in many recipes.

My selection of fruit is going to be very basic. Apples is a must if I want to keep the doctor away. Banana’s are essential. As they are filled with vitamins and minerals that contribute to the proper functioning of the body! I’ll also stock up on oranges, strawberries and pineapples because they are my favourite.  

It’s entirely up to you what fruit and veggies you would like to eat. I’m personally stocking up on foods I enjoy to eat and that I know are good for my body.

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Beans

Another important food to add to my diet. I don’t normally eat beans but because I’m cutting out all animal products, it has to be a staple food in my diet. They are full of fibre and protein and will give you a slow-burning energy boost. You can make a beans curry that can last a few days or even throw some chickpeas in your salad.

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Whole grain rice and pasta

These foods will act as a base for my meals. Whole grains and pasta are high energy foods and can be high in protein. They very easy and quick to make for lunch and supper. Spaghetti-style pasta is my favorite and it’s also vegan. Just be sure to double check that the ingredients are vegan.

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Nuts and seeds

Nuts will definitely be my go-to snack every day when I’m feeling rather peckish. Almonds, cashews or even nut butter is a great source of protein. Walnuts, chia seeds and flax seeds are a great source of omega-3 fats. You can add these to your smoothie, your salads or even in your wraps.

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Milk Substitute

There are a variety of dairy-free options. The most popular are almond milk, soy milk, rice milk and oat milk. They have different tastes and textures. I personally prefer almond milk. It’s very versatile and can be used for almost everything. Soy milk is also very healthy, affordable and easy to find in stores. My favorite is the hazelnut milk by RudeHealth. It tastes amazing but is quite expensive to purchase every week. So I have it when I'm craving something sweet. 

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This is just the most important foods I’ll be adding to my plant-based diet. Again, Make sure you’re receiving the right amount of nutrients and vitamins to sustain your energy and keep you feeling good. You have to be intentional and make an effort. 

Let me know in the comments what diary-free milk you prefer to use. Look forward to hearing from you. xxx