Not sure how to get started cooking more plant-based meals? I’ve got easy tips and recipe ideas for How to cook more plant-based meals in 2021!
Thanks to Lightlife for partnering with me to develop the recipes featured here!
How to cook more plant-based meals
The easiest answer? Start small! We’re a family of omnivores, meaning we eat all kinds of food, including traditional meat and dairy products. But because of health and environmental concerns, a few years ago our family decided to start incorporating more plant-based meals into our routine. We started with one day each week, in our case a “Meatless Monday,” but over time we’ve incorporated more and more plant-based meals into our lifestyle. At this point, we’re probably about 50/50 and not looking back.
Make Protein Swaps
One of the biggest concerns people seem to have when making the decision to cook more plant-based meals is that they’ll have to completely change the way they cook. Not true!
There are so many wonderful plant-based protein options these days, it makes it easy to go meatless and still enjoy all of your family’s favorite foods. We regularly enjoy plant-based versions of our favorite tacos and lettuce wraps by swapping in plant-based ground products.
One tip: When shopping for plant-based products, definitely compare ingredient labels. Some brands are made with fillers and synthetic ingredients. I particularly like that Lightlife products are made with limited ingredients and things I can pronounce (like beet powder and sea salt) and all of their products are non-GMO.
Soups are super
This time of year, broth-based soups are a great choice for eating plant-based. Its so easy to pack in lots of vegetables and soups are so warming and filling, you won’t miss the meat. Check out my recipe for Tempeh Zoodle Soup — its a delicious twist on traditional chicken noodle that’s completely vegan and also keto-friendly!
Bowls are the bomb
You know how much we love build-your-own dinners at our house. In addition to being great for picky-eaters, these types of meals are also great for plant-based eating! Let everyone make their own bowl to keep things casual while encouraging healthy choices.
Start with a bowl full of grains such as quinoa or brown rice, then offer a variety of toppings to complete the meal. Favorites at our house are roasted and fresh veggies, black beans and plant-based proteins. Add something crunchy like nuts or seeds and salad dressing or other sauces for a flavor punch. Try my Teriyaki Burger Bowl recipe for a fun and easy meal thats also kid-friendly.
Go Plants!
The bottom line: plant-based eating is trending for so many reasons. Not only is its good for the environment and good for your health it can also taste good too. No need to be intimidated by plant-baed cooking: start small, make easy swaps and get creative with your favorite meals. Before you know it, plant-based eating will be a regular part of your lifestyle.
