How to Easily Add Plant-Based Products Into Your Diet
Plant-based products have seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years, with more and more Canadians choosing to incorporate them into their mealtimes. Gone are the days of hockey puck veggie burgers that were better for slapshot practice than eating! With an ever increasing demand for meat alternatives, the plant-based world has become a bountiful paradise, overflowing with an enormous variety of new and exciting options.
Now, plant-based products are not just for those following strict meat-free diets, they are so delicious that everyone is enjoying them! And while we’re still strong advocates for great quality meat and seafood, there’s no denying that meat alternatives are changing the mealtime landscape for the better. So if you’re looking to add some plant-based options into your diet but aren’t sure where to start, then here are a few table-tested approaches you can try:
Replace Your Protein
When adding plant-based foods into your diet, the easiest place to start is to simply switch out your protein. With the huge selection of meat-free products available these days, it’s never been easier to replace your normal protein of choice with a plant-based substitute.
Now we’re not suggesting that you switch a thick cut filet mignon steak with its plant-based cousin, because it doesn’t have one! But when it comes to meals like burgers and sausages, chicken kievs and schnitzel, ground beef and battered fish, you might be surprised at just how good the meatless alternatives have become.
Switching out meat protein for a plant-based substitute is a great way to replace like for like and keep any picky eaters happy! These products are made to be as close to the real thing as possible, which makes them an ideal way to serve a meat-free meal without missing the meat! In fact, plant-based alternatives have become so good that blind taste tests have actually shown many of them to be tastier than their meaty counterparts!
If you’re looking for some great quality products that are guaranteed to impress, then we suggest giving our Beyond Burgers and Beyond Sausages, or Chipotle Black Bean Burgers a go. And for a true introduction into the best meat-free products around, why not try our hugely popular Plant-Based Variety Box!
Try A Recipe
Replacing your protein with a plant-based alternative is an ideal way to go meat-free without changing your family’s normal dining habits. But once you realize just how good these meatless products are, it won’t be long until you start trying new recipes designed specifically for them!
Not only is this a great way to highlight the incredible flavours of plant-based proteins and really make them the hero of the meal, but it’s also perfect for adding enticing new dishes to your repertoire.
With an ever increasing variety of plant-based foods comes an even bigger catalogue of fantastic recipes to try. This gives you the freedom to be as creative as you want so don’t be surprised if some of these meat-free recipes become new family favourites!
For some comfort food classics, why not try our Chick-un Schnitzel or Buffalo Chick-un Burger recipes. They’re easy to follow with step-by-step instructions and even come with video walkthroughs that will leave your stomach rumbling!
Eat More Veggies
Once you’ve mastered some recipes using meat alternatives, you might decide you want to get really adventurous by trying out some plant-based, whole-food meals. Instead of using meat substitutes as your protein source, these meals use vegetable proteins like lentils, beans and tempeh.
There are some truly amazing recipes out there for fully vegetable-based meals that don’t sacrifice on taste or nutritional value. In fact, incorporating more whole-food, plant-based meals into your diet has been shown to have significant health benefits for the entire family.
Try starting with some vegetable sides like lentil dips and bean chilis. This way you can test out new recipes and if it all goes wrong you’ll still have the main to fall back on! As an added bonus, experimenting with these dishes will introduce you to new ingredients and cooking techniques that can really up your game and help enhance your other meals too.
With so many delicious options available these days, it’s never been easier to add some plant-based products into your mealtimes. So if you’re still avoiding the meat-free section of the grocery store for fear of hockey puck veggie burgers, now is definitely the right time to be bold and branch out into the wonderful new world of plant-based dining! Be sure to check out our full range of Vegetarian and Plant-Based Products now!