Photo:@margueta
Take a few moments and do a self-assessment of how you currently eat.
1. Make a list of the meals you now eat. Become familiar with beans, seitan, and other plant-based protein and substitute them for meat in your favorite stews, chili, and soups.
2. Rethink vegetable side dishes: Add beans and/or grains to make a more substantial meal.
3. Avoid bleached grains and pastas—white bread and white pasta are nutritionally deficient—and focus on whole grains foods. Prepare more fresh vegetables to go with them.
4. Each week, prepare at least two or three new vegan recipes. Soon, you will have a full repertoire to rotate and keep your meals interesting.
5. Take a new approach to breakfast and lunch using soy milk on your cereal and making your sandwiches on whole-grain breads.
6. Keep a well-stocked pantry so you never have an excuse not to cook a great vegan meal.
7. When dining out, patronize restaurants that offer vegan options. Many Thai and Chinese restaurants prepare great tofu and vegetable dishes, and Indian restaurant menus contain wonderful bean and vegetable items (just be sure they omit ghee or yogurt). There are also vegan options in Italian, Mexican, Greek, Moroccan, and other cuisines