Veganuary will soon be underway. People around the world will shun meat, eggs and dairy for the entire month. Are you one of them? This campaign happens every January. I never paid much attention to it since I already drink the plant-based Kool-Aid.
But I was thinking I should offer some tips this year as I know a few friends who are going to ditch the meat for 30 days. My first tip/suggestion is to REALLY think about why you are doing this. Is it for health reasons? Do you want to feel better? Your answers will shape what you put in your body and ultimately help you smash your goals for the month.
It doesn’t have to be complicated
Change your mindset. Eating a vegan diet is as simple or as complicated as you make it. For example – potatoes, rice, apples, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes – All vegan.
Consider your favourite dishes – veganize it. Skip the dairy and use a plant-based milk like Soy, Oat or Almond milk. Use beans and lentils instead of the meat. Thanks to the internet, you will not have a shortage of recipes or methods to “veganize” meals. The official Veganuary website has tons of recipes from all around the world. (I tend to gravitate to the Indian or Thai-inspired dishes.)
Pro tip: Plan your meals and snacks in advance. This will save time. And it’s also fun!
Restock your pantry
Get reacquainted with your spice rack. This is an opportunity to add lots of flavour when you try new dishes. The must haves in my vegan pantry are: garlic, garam masala, curry, cumin, dill, chili, ginger, cloves and turmeric.
Step out of your comfort zone. Experiment. Impress your friends with your creative culinary side.
Pro tip: Did you know oatmeal and steel cut oats are vegan? They are and they make a wonderful and nutritious start to your day.
Eat real food
Avoid the processed pre-made meals. That includes all the fake meats that are now everywhere. They won’t taste like meat. While the texture may be appealing or comforting, it likely won’t have much nutritional value. Check the ingredient labels.
Think whole food – one ingredient. This will make the challenge much more rewarding and sustainable. You will want to avoid processed foods – if your goal is to eat a healthy vegan diet – because of all the refined fats and ingredients that you cannot pronounce.
Pro tip: Pressed for time? You can always buy pre-cut fruits and vegetables.
Don’t be afraid of tofu
I have been eating tofu for more than 25 years. Through trial and errors over the years I have learned a zillion ways to use tofu in my kitchen. The key is to use the right type – silken, soft, medium, extra firm – of tofu for the dish. One of my favourite tips is to freeze medium or firm tofu to create a “meatier” texture and draw more of the moisture out of the tofu when thawed. As soon as I bring tofu home from the store, I immediately pop it in the freezer.
Tofu is like a sponge. It takes up the flavour of its marinate. So have fun with it. Don’t hate on it until you seriously have given it a try.
Pro tip: Most Asian stores have better deals on tofu and there’s likely a wider range of tofu.
Don’t fail victim to “fear of missing protein”
Vegetables. Beans. Grains. Nuts. Seeds. Focus on eating whole-food and balanced meals and snacks. Eat the colours of the rainbow, as they say. If you are eating a healthy, plant-based diet you will get all the protein you need and more. Eat a variety of foods and you will be just fine.
Pro tip: Drink more water. Aim for two litres a day.
Find your people and resources
As mention above, there are a MILLION resources online to help the new vegan. Please visit the Veganuary website and take the pledge. When you sign up, you will receive daily emails with recipes. How awesome is that? Share your meals with friends, family and coworkers. No doubt you already have a vegetarian or vegan in your world already. Talk to them. Share your tips and tricks.
Now is the time to do something great for your body. Let me know if you have any questions or would like a recipe suggestion.
Have fun and take the pledge.
The tips were very useful, The information was very helpful. Be blessed.