If you’re looking to stay healthy and are following a vegan diet, you’ll need to do your research on some of the foods that would be best to incorporate into your daily diet. Because vegans only eat plant-based foods and by-products, they must take extra care to ensure that they are getting all of the nutrition, vitamins and minerals their bodies require, especially protein. Check out our healthy vegan food list that you should incorporate into your daily diet.
Green Veggies
Whenever we think of eating healthy foods for vegan diets, we often think of eating dark green, leafy vegetables. But there are endless ways to spice up your veggies vegan style so that they taste absolutely delicious! Our favorite vegetables for vegans include kale, broccoli, mustard and turnip greens, and cabbage. If you’re not crazy about “greens,” opt for other veggies that pack a nutritional punch, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and pumpkin. You can also slip spinach and kale into fruit smoothies to get more vitamins and fiber, without tasting the veggies!
Tons of Tofu
A staple of all vegan diet foods, tofu is a wonderful source of protein and is very versatile for many nutritious recipes. You can use it in soups and salads, or as a substitute for meats in all different types of dishes. Look for firm tofu when making your next dish, which holds its shape better than tofu that is on the soft side. We like the variety of tofu from House Foods. Check out this Easy BBQ Tofu recipe from Oh She Glows, which is great for those who are just beginning to cook with tofu. Make sure you “drain” the water from firm tofu before cooking or adding it to your healthy vegan meals.
Beans Galore!
Pulses are a wonderful nutritious source of protein, making them a top go-to when it comes to waistline-friendly foods for vegans. Use fresh beans whenever possible since canned legumes often contain lots of added preservatives and a higher sodium content. If you have to rely on canned beans, rinse them before consuming to cut down on the sodium content.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are great go-to foods for all vegetarians because they contain plant-based protein as well as many essential vitamins and minerals. Our top three favorite nuts are almonds, cashews ,and flaxseeds. Each of these nuts have a slew of nutritional benefits, and can be easily incorporated into a healthy and complete vegan diet. We also love spreading all-natural almond butter and peanut butter (we like Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter) on whole grain bread for a protein-packed lunch or snack. And, studies show that those who have a nut-rich diet tend to weigh less than those who don’t—just another reason to load up on the nuts!
Crispy Fruit
This portable, crunchy snack is an excellent choice for convenient, on-the-go vegan foods that pack delicious, fresh fruit flavor without additives or preservatives. The fruit snacks are freeze dried, and the only ingredient use is fresh fruit itself. The sophisticated freeze-drying process removes the moisture in fruit, resulting in a satisfying snack that has a light, crispy texture. It’s the perfect solution when you want to satisfy a sweets craving.