Are you an omnivore looking to try plant-based meals?
For all the meat eaters out there, omnivores and carnivore’s alike, a full plant-based diet may not be something you want to consider. Maybe a diet with no animal products isn’t right for you, and there’s no shame in that. Knowing what works best for your body and lifestyle is the base of any healthy diet. But that doesn’t mean you can’t love your plants just as dearly as the rest! A good veggie can hold its own as the star of any dish. Trust us, even our most carnivorous friends can’t say no to a well-done black bean and mushroom burger or cauliflower wings. The difference is in the mindset, variety, and having a delicious recipe. Three things, we happen to know all about.
Mindset
Many of us have grown up eating animal products in every meal. In fact, a meal just doesn’t feel complete without them, and we can’t see that changing. Maybe we’ve had plant-based meals before and felt unsatisfied or are afraid that all plant-based diets are too restrictive for our lifestyles, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Adding even one plant-based meal to your diet is a healthy choice you can be proud of. Maybe you’re interested in adopting meatless Mondays, or only eating meat for dinner or when eating out. It doesn’t have to be a hard and fast line, and you can incorporate more veggies or beans into any meal you like. But what about the satisfaction? A meal with no meat? Is it even a meal, or just rabbit food? Let’s see.
Variety
Ever sat down for a beautiful meal of plain lettuce, only to eat a mountain of it and still feel hungry and unsatisfied? Who hasn’t. And while no one can argue that lettuce isn’t a healthy choice, it can’t be the only star. Balanced, plant-based diets are just as varied and delicious as their meat-based alternatives. And with more and more resources out there, it’s never been easier to find delicious, plant-based meals to try. The trick to feeling full and satisfied is to make sure your plant-based meal includes all the proteins, fats, and carbs your healthy, meat-based meals provide. Add tofu, tempeh, legumes or hummus for proteins. Avocados, healthy oils, and nuts and seeds for fats. Oats, sweet potato and banana for carbs. All these delicious foods are both filling and delicious. And by ensuring you are still getting your recommended intake of proteins, fats and carbs, you are making sure you feel fuller, longer, on healthy options.
The Recipe
One of the main complaints we hear about a plant-based diet is that it’s boring. People create the same meal they would have in their meat-forward diet, and just remove the meat. Let’s look at a classic—steamed broccoli with baked potato and steak. Now remove the animal products. What flavour are you left with? What did you do to spice up that broccoli? And how are the potatoes without the slab of butter, bacon bits and sour cream? No wonder it’s boring. Eating plant-based shouldn’t mean taking away. Plant based recipes are packed with flavour, and when those veggies are treated with the same time and care as a well marinated steak, they earn their place as the star of any dish. Not sure where to start?
With all these options, it couldn’t be easier to incorporate delicious, and filling plant-based meals into your diet. And with the right mindset, variety, and recipes, you won’t feel like you’re sacrificing anything. Once a week, once a day, or switch it up. If adding more plants, whether it be plant-based, vegetarian, or vegan meals, is something you’d like to try, why not today?