Tips for sticking with a plantbased diet

PLANNING on going plant-based but you don’t know where to start? It doesn’t have to be complicated but you do need to be organised.

Eat a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. They contain vitamins, minerals, fibre, antioxidants, and some protein.

You’ll need to include protein with your meals. Stock up on plain or flavoured tofu, lentils, pulses, hummus, nuts and seeds, nut butters, and tahini. Most people find the tinned pulses and lentils easier to start with. Chick peas are possibly the most versatile as you can simply add them to soup, salads, or stir fries for extra protein or use them to make delicious falafels, chick pea pie, burgers, or hummus.

Nuts are an ideal to nibble on throughout the day, or add them to your breakfast or dairy free yoghurt for a snack. Nut butters are great for dipping fruit or crackers.

Switch butter to coconut oil for cooking, cream to tinned coconut milk for creamy pasta or curries. Butter for sandwiches swop to vegan dairy free spreads. You’ll find dairy free cheese, yogurts, and pizza in your health store. Use herbs, spices, and healthy sweet chilli sauce to add flavour to dishes to keep you motivated.

Oatly Oat milk is a popular milk alternative, you can simply drink it or add to smoothies, breakfast cereal, and makes a lovely cup of coffee or hot drink.

Vegetarian yeast flakes are a natural source of B12 and are an extremely useful item to have in your cupboard. They can be added to just about any dish for taste and nutrition.

Linseeds/flaxseeds/chia seeds are extremely healthy providing fibre, omega oils, and vitamins, plus they’re a perfect egg replacement for baking.

Choose good quality oils like Udo’s Choice Omega oil, flax, linseed, hemp, olive, or walnut oils to ensure that you’re getting plenty of omega oils. Use on salads, in yogurts, or in smoothies.

For a dairy free chocolate treat try ichoc one of my favourite dairy free chocolate bars, and for a more nutritious snack I love Super Nature Hazelnut Clusters they’re delicious.

So, if you’re keen to go plant-based and don’t know where to start, call in and let us help.