Starter Guide to Plant-Based Eating for Beginners + 3 New Recipes!
We all know that in recent years, the plant-based lifestyle & community has gained a lot of hype and following.
I mean, I’m in that community too – hence why I started my blog in the first place!
It’s even said that adopting a healthy plant-based lifestyle can have numerous health benefits.
If you want to transition to eating more of a plant-based lifestyle, I’m going to give you a starter guide to eating plant-based that’s perfect for beginners to follow.
Learn about plant-based nutrition
One of the most common misconceptions about a plant-based diet is that it’s challenging to get enough protein.
You hear it all the time (at least I know I have!)…
“But, where do you get your protein??!”
Did you know that it’s pretty easy to meet your protein needs on a plant-based diet?
I know there’s a lot of information out there about how much protein per kg of weight you should be striving for.
Even though I’m a registered healthcare professional, I’m NOT a registered dietician, doctor, or nutritionist, so I can’t give you any specifics for your direct dietary needs for your plant-based lifestyle.
But if you’d like a quick understanding of how much protein you could start with, here’s a great resource you can check out.
In general, as long as you eat a variety of plant-based protein sources, such as beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, nuts, and seeds, you are in fact, getting your protein!
And remember, as a plant-based beginner, I have recipes on my website for you to try out.
Not only do they taste amazing but they are a great source of protein!
Check them out below!
Start with small changes
As a beginner, transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle can feel very drastic at first.
Especially if you’re used to eating meat and dairy at every single meal.
What I suggest is instead of making one massive change overnight, to start by making small, easy-to-stick-with changes over time.
For example, swap out your main meat source with a plant-based protein source in one meal per day, and then slowly increase the number of plant-based meals you eat over time.
You could add tofu, black beans, seitan, or any plant-based meat substitute.
Also try incorporating more plant-based snacks into your diet, such as hummus and veggies, or fruit and nuts.
Experiment with new recipes
One of the best ways to make a plant-based diet suit your lifestyle is to experiment with new recipes.
But, you can’t start experimenting with new plant-based recipes until you learn how to stock your pantry with the right ingredients!
I know how I felt when I saw a new recipe I wanted to try, but I quickly realized that I didn’t have the right ingredients, which felt inconvenient.
If I wanted to eat plant-based, I had to be prepared.
I started by stocking my kitchen with the right ingredients to make any meal I saw without hesitation.
Once I had the right ingredients at home at my fingertips, meal planning & recipe creation became so much easier!
Wildly Simple Vegan Banana Bread
I created a FREE Plant-Based Eating Guide for you that is an instant download once you sign up for my email list. It gives you easy steps to stocking your pantry & kitchen + you get 3 NEW RECIPES never seen before on my blog!
When you have the right ingredients & the right kitchen tools, it makes your life so much easier!
There are plenty of delicious plant-based recipes available on my blog, so try to find a few that you enjoy and incorporate them into your meal rotation.
Be prepared when eating out
Eating out can be a challenge when you’re following a plant-based as some restaurants may not offer many plant-based options.
But, with a little bit of preparation, you can still enjoy eating out while following a plant-based!
Before going to a restaurant, check out their menu online and look for plant-based options.
If there aren’t many options available, you could also try calling ahead and asking if the restaurant can accommodate your dietary needs.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
Transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle is a journey.
If you slip up and eat something that isn’t plant-based, don’t beat yourself up over it. It’s normal in the beginning stages and it happens.
Just remember that it’s okay to make mistakes along the way.
Focus on the progress you’ve made along the way and try to get back on track with your plant-based eating.
In conclusion
Choosing a plant-based diet can initially feel overwhelming at first, but with the right resources such as my FREE Plant-Based Kitchen & Pantry Guide (+ 3 NEW Recipes!), it’s one of the most rewarding and enjoyable ways to eat.
Learning how to create amazing plant-based meals, starts with small changes & experimenting with new recipes! >> Check out my recipes here!
Be kind to yourself along the way &, and you can successfully transition to a plant-based diet and reap the benefits that come with it.
Did You This Helpful?
Share your comments below or better yet, take a photo and tag @wildandwhelm on Instagram or TikTok! I’d love to see how you restocked your pantry 🙂