What to Eat? Answering the Most Common Question when going Vegan

Let’s see: you’ve had enough salad, you’re tired of grilled veggies and kale chips, and if you see one more side of hummus you’ll throw in the towel and reach for the T-bone steak. I got it, I hear you, and you’re not alone.

The usual challenge with a vegan or vegetarian diet is when the first signs of hunger hit – you’re thinking of your next meal and wondering what the heck to eat. Grabbing a vending machine snack or quick burger may feel easier and more convenient than a meal with nutritious value.

If you really think about it there are tons of options. Our conditioning is so strong that we tend to think that if our plate does not include some form of land or sea animal, it simply is not a meal. If you change your perception and broaden your horizons, you can change your mindset to a bounty of options that effectively remove the hormone-injected, toxic carcass.

Like most new relationships, making a long-lasting courtship with a plant-based diet takes time, understanding and breaking through mental barriers. You enjoy the honeymoon stage, transition into the ups and downs of discovering each other’s habits and values, approach the corner of rocky street and happily ever after to finally settle into the zone of comfort and peace. The path is an experience with lessons, new insights, and kick-ass new recipes. Thankfully, you can’t skip to the end because there would be no fun lessons to learn and, of course, no new kitchen creations under your belt.

Here are a few tips I have learned from my own experience and from the insights of other like-minded veggie eaters who have felt the pain of “I don’t know what to eat” all too well:

Go ahead, we won’t tell…enjoy a little porn: That’s food porn of course. Follow plant-inspired recipe blogs, get hashtag happy and search instagram. It’s amazing to see how many people are joining the revolution to eat clean nutritious food. With some cool filters, ordinary food photos turn into exquisite ideas and inspiration. So follow the one’s that speak to your taste buds, and get a little spark under your tush. The support is out there, start becoming aware of it.
Soak your Heart out: Always have some nuts, seeds, dates, or beans soaking. The thing about a vegan or raw diet is you have to be prepared to prepare(no pun intended). Most key ingredients to your favorite recipes require some planning ahead. Kidney Beans are a great staple to add to any recipe and almond milk is a wonderful base for most smoothies and deserts. Keep your nuts and beans soaking and prepare at the beginning of the week. Store in your fridge or freezer and when not-knowing-what-to-eat kicks in, reach for the prepared item.
Keep a stock of rice, quinoa, or beans ready to serve: Similar to step two, the key here is to always have something ready to go when in a pinch. Add beans to some rice or pull out your ready quinoa and add some sparkle to a salad. No thinking needed: just season, serve, and enjoy.
Practice then forget what you know and create your own: It’s nice to have your go-to recipes that you know by heart. The way to get there is with tons of practice. So keep making your favs and then get to know them well. Once you understand how to navigate several vegan staples you’ll feel more comfortable to navigate on your own. The great thing about feeling like you have nothing to eat is that, you can have some fun creating a meal out of nothing. The world’s best creations come from a moment of clarity, simplicity, and a space where nothing is left.
Learn your Protein Sources: Make safer protein choices by getting a plant-protein smack down and understand how much you actually need. According to the USDA, an average female adult weighing 130 pounds needs 47 grams of protein per day. Too much can actually be harmful (which is our current state of protein eaters). Quinoa, lentils, legumes, hemp seeds, almonds, and kale are wonderful healthy sources of protein. Keep these protein sources in your repertoire. A little extra knowledge will help you fight the boredom stage of vegetarianism.

Don’t fret if you can’t keep it perfect all the time. Accept it, move on, and try again for the next meal.

Happy eating,

Victoria