You may already be vegan and have well-established recipes and favourite foods. Maybe you’re vegetarian and curious about making the next step to a vegan diet. Or perhaps you’re a meat and fish eater who also loves and values how vegan dishes can superboost your health whilst being delicious.
November is World Vegan Month so it’s the perfect time to try out some new recipes and combinations and to get more fantastic vegetables into your diet.
What are the benefits of veganism?
By enjoying a mainly plant-based diet we can boost our health, slow down the ageing process and help avoid chronic illnesses. Last week’s blog on ageing foods (read it here if you missed it) included meat and cow’s milk so by following a vegan diet you’re immediately eradicating two of the most damaging foods to consume.
What makes up a vegan diet?
The great thing about replacing meat and fish (and their by-products) is that it forces you to open your eyes to other foods. You’ll find yourself becoming more creative and inventive in trying new flavour combinations. It’s not all vegetables - nuts, grains, seeds, beans and pulses are vital for you to get the right nutritional balance and add texture and interest to dishes. You’ll be amazed how many of the family’s previous ‘favourites’ can still be made by replacing some ingredients with vegan ones, even down to vegan cheese for pizza and pasta dishes. Root vegetables are coming into season so think about olive oil-roasted parsnips, carrots and beetroots for a delicious lunch with some crusty brown bread.
Whether you’re motivated to learn more about a vegan diet for your own or your family’s health, from an animal welfare perspective or because you’re concerned about the harmful effects on the environment of over-farming, there’s so much to recommend it. The Vegan Society is a great place to start and has lots of really helpful and inspiring advice. And of course the whole range at Britt’s Superfoods is vegan and packed full of taste and nutrition. Come and get started!
