Transitioning to a plant-based diet is a big step that requires many lifestyle changes. Some people struggle coming up with quick and delicious meals that are also healthy. Following a plant-based diet doesn’t have to be difficult. These five prep tips can make you a master chef in no time.
1.Follow a Schedule
Eating on a set schedule rather than whenever you feel hungry can make you much more organized. Meal prepping is a breeze if you can determine the days that you have time to indulge in an hour-long preparation and which evenings you would like something in five minutes after a long work day. You can even plan meals that are high in protein if you’re returning from a gym, or contain a sweet dessert as a rare treat.
2.Write Down a Grocery List
To make sure you have all the ingredients you need, make a carefully planned grocery list to take with you on your next trip. That way you won’t be relying on your memory or needlessly wandering the aisles. A plant-based diet is open to a wide variety of yummy food, such as carrots, celery, spinach, broccoli and beets that can be used to make a seemingly infinite number of dishes. If you’re busy during the week, make time on the weekends. Look for vegan meat alternatives that are packed with protein such as Tofu, Seitan, Tempe and “mock meats” that are all delicious and great for preparing plant-based meals:
3.Prep in Advance
Almost all meals can be made ahead of time. For meal prep, purchase glass or BPA-free plastic containers. Simply chop up the ingredients and store them in your fridge until it’s time to heat them up in a pan or pop them in an oven. Casseroles, salads, smoothies and stir-fry dishes instantly become easier to make. Prepping in advance can also save you money since you’ll know exactly how much of each ingredient you’ll need for a well-balanced plant-based diet.
4.Find Inspiration
Everyone can learn to enjoy cooking. If you think you’ll burn your food or mess up a recipe, a little practice is all it takes to master your technique. There are plenty of cooking shows, cookbooks and magazines you can reference that cater to busy vegans. You might find a new favorite recipe and familiarize yourself with unusual ingredients. Learning from someone who is excited about food can instill passion about your plant-based diet.
5.Explore Kitchen Gadgets
If wielding a knife to cut up vegetables sounds time-consuming to you, there are different methods you can explore. Plenty of vegetable choppers as well as steamers, fryers and slicers are available in stores to make cooking easier and more fun. With the aid of appliances, you can cut down your meal prep time. Most can also be quickly cleaned in a dishwasher. Whether you decided to become vegan because of health reasons, animal activism or from a concern about the environment, it is an important decision that brings changes to your cooking routine. Hopefully these five tips can get you started on the path toward easy and fast meal preparation with delicious plant-based vegan recipes. With the right approach, you can enjoy a plant-based diet for many years without sacrificing your health or love of flavor.
