November 4th, 2019 | Updated on June 27th, 2022
Being vegan for beginners is a very daunting task. Most of the time, you probably feel very lost. Well, fret not, this article contains 10 vegan tips for beginners.
1. Egg Alternative
A significant problem beginner vegans face finding an egg replacement for specific recipes. Well, you don’t have to worry anymore. For our first hack in this vegan beginner’s guide, we will look at egg replacements.
Probably the best alternative is with chia or flax seeds. Use the ratio of one parts seeds and three parts water ( so 1tbsp of chia seeds will require around three tbsp of water).
Mix and refrigerate them to get a gooey eggy substance that works just like eggs when added to specific recipes! Nut butter and oil are also popular egg replacements. Bananas are also great alternatives.
2. Dealing With Milk
Making almond milk requires sifting all the liquid and getting rid of the pulp before it is ready to drink. This process is very time-consuming. Most plant-based kinds of milk require such a long process.
A much quicker and simpler method is to blend. Mix one tablespoon of almond butter (or well any nut or seed butter) with a cup of water and boom, you get instant almond milk! Another major problem beginner vegans face is that non-dairy milk tends to curdle in hot milk.
Well, this major problem has a simple solution. Just heat the milk before adding it to the drink to ensure everything mixes properly.
3. Vegan Cheese
Most beginner vegans find giving up cheese very difficult. If you miss cheese, then something called nutritional yeast will come in handy.
This yeast is a particular type of powder which, when added to sauces, can give it a very cheesy flavor. You can add nutritional yeast to any savory dish like salads or stews.
It is very delicious, has tonnes of health benefits, and has an amazing nutty flavor.
4. Low-Calorie Dressing And Sauce
As a vegan, you should actively try to avoid oil. It is unnecessary empty calories that are a waste of money. It can be pretty challenging to remove oil from your life, especially when it comes to salad dressings and sauces.
You can make oil-free dressings by using flax and chia seeds to thicken them, instead of oil.
5. Healthy French Fries
French fries are a quick and easy snack that can be found at your closest fast-food restaurant. However, they are very unhealthy. But, the only reason they are unhealthy is that they are drenched in oil, which can be easily changed!
You don’t have to do much. Simply cut your potatoes or sweet potatoes in fry shapes, lay them down on a parchment-lined baking tray, and bake at 400F for about 30 minutes, or until they start to get slightly brown.
You can also broil them on high for 1-2 minutes for an enhanced taste.
6. Happy Cow App
The happy cow app is a convenient tool for beginner vegans. It is highly recommended that you download it.
Happy cow app shows you all the vegan, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly options in your area.
It is quite handy when you decide to visit a new place and don’t have a good idea about restaurants or shops there.
7. Meat Alternatives
Let’s face it. A lot of us miss meat, especially beginner vegans. So, let’s talk about meat alternatives. You can find meat flavored spices in most convenience stores.
They are just products seasoned with spices and doesn’t contain any meat. They are nothing but a blend of different vegan-friendly spices.
You can season your food in specific ways to give it a meaty taste. You can give tofu or vegetables like aubergines and mushrooms a meat-like taste by adding soy sauce, maple syrup, and paprika.
There is also an ingredient called “liquid smoke” that mimics the smokey flavor or BBQ! Finally, let’s look at fruits and vegetables that taste like meat or fish.
You can make tuna from chickpeas! The taste is very close to tuna and goes very well in a sandwich or on top of a jacket potato! Pulled pork made with jackfruit tastes precisely like pork!
8. Eating Out
When going out to eat, international restaurants are your best bet as their cuisines are either vegan/vegetarian, or easily made vegan.
If you’re craving for Italian food, opt for vegetarian pizza (make sure to ditch the cheese!) or pasta marinara or arrabbiata.
You can find delicious tofu curries, stir-fries and noodles at Thai places, just make sure none of them have fish sauce in them.
Indian restaurants are filled with delicious vegetarian options. Just make sure none of them have ghee or any creamy bases to them. You can also opt for Japanese food where you can have miso soup and avocado or cucumber sushi.
9. Reduce Labor
As a vegan, a significant portion of your life will be spent on chopping vegetables! Some people find this therapeutic, but I’m sure most of us don’t.
You can opt for buying organic frozen fruits and veggies. Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t unhealthy.
You can also find many local shops selling chopped, hard to cut vegetables like squash or sweet potatoes. They also sell veggie noodles like zucchini and sweet potato noodles!
10. Stop With The Restrictions
Now, for the most critical vegan tip for a beginner. Don’t Restrict Your Diet. As a vegan, you’ll be hungry more often as vegan food is low in calories.
Naturally, your portion sizes will be larger to satisfy your hunger. Remember, in this case, more food is not bad! The diet culture in the vegan community can be pretty toxic. Don’t let it get to you. Don’t change your eating habits. Make sure to keep a full stomach.
Treat yourself to a snack now and then. Remember, your mental health is as important as your physical health.
Well, that’s it for the hacks and tips. Hopefully, this vegan beginner’s guide will make your life as a vegan much easier!
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