Although it may seem daunting, eating vegan does not have to be hard. Sure, you have to cut animal-based food products out of the picture, which seems to eliminate a lot of foods we might normally eat. It might also seem difficult to make up for the nutrients you normally get when you can no longer eat meat, dairy, or poultry. Going vegan might even seem expensive. Fortunately, though, there are vegan staples that are cheap and accessible. They’ll help you to make a smooth transition into this diet.
Rice is a great staple item for the vegan diet, in addition to being a great staple for any diet. It’s cheap, quick and easy to cook, healthy if you use whole grain, and rich in variety. Whole grain rice is rich in protein, which is great for making up for the lack of meat in your diet.
Tofu is also very versatile, and you can cook it to taste like practically any meat. It’s a soy-based product, so it’s rich in protein, making it the perfect substitute for unhealthy red meats, or any meat for that matter while you’re adhering to vegan guidelines.
I also consider bananas to be a universally understood staple food. Priced at usually under a dollar per pound, this superfruit is accessible, and you can usually get a whole bundle of them for just a couple of dollars. Bananas are rich in potassium, something that is great for digestion. It helps balance things out and reduces the chances of bloating. On top of this, bananas are a really versatile fruit that taste great with lots of other fruits, whether that be in a fruit salad or in a smoothie.
Just like bananas, potatoes are generally fairly cheap, and you can usually buy a bulk sack of them for a reasonable price. The possibilities never end when it comes to ways you can cook potatoes. Be careful of the starch and carbohydrate content, though, as it can build up depending on how healthy of ingredients you use to prepare them. Nuts, beans, and legumes are also essential to the vegan diet. Rich in protein and nutrients that make up for protein loss in the absence of meat, they are a great, healthy source of energy that comes in a large variety of types. They’re also great for heart health!
However you go about introducing the vegan diet into your lifestyle, you should be aware of the fact that adhering to its guidelines requires great understanding of what you can and cannot eat. While this fact may be daunting, you should also keep in mind the fact that, with a little practice, there are ways to successfully and easily navigate the world of shopping for vegan-friendly items at the grocery store. Stick to these staple items, and even branch off to a few more when you’re comfortable, and I’m sure the task of making this diet choice work for you will become worlds easier.
