Good Vegan Foods to Start With?

[Marluxia]

So I've been a picky eater all my life when it came to vegetables, though I never really ate beef or pork (mostly chicken). As I said in my intro thread, I went vegetarian a few weeks ago after discussing it with a friend and would like to experiment.

I think I can start with mock meats, but that can't be enough for nutrition. Any suggestions?

[Red]

Mock meats are a great place to start in terms of transitioning. Especially now with Beyond and Impossible foods creating a lot of attention. Tofu and Seitan can be pretty tasty depending on how you prepare it.

I can understand veggies are hard if you haven't eaten them for a lot of your life (I remember when I tried getting into them at first, I almost threw up lol. Yet I never gagged when I put pig butt in my mouth). I've suggested this a few days ago, about how you can mix it with a tasty food you like (spinach and mashed potatoes), as well as preparing it differently and adding various spices.

Beans vary in flavour, but you're bound to find a few you like.

Don't worry if you're struggling, especially if you don't do your own shopping. I've relapsed if you will on a few occasions admittedly, and I didn't even do it that well when I first started. Honestly I'm still in the process of adapting to new foods (I'm still picky as hell).

[Lay Vegan]

Looks like @Red already gave some good recommendations. Baked tofu (teriyaki or flavored) is a great food choice ready to eat right out of the package. It can be added to a stir-fry, sandwich, salad, or wrap. Or you can just eat it as is.

Steamables are excellent for picky eaters. https://www.sidedelights.com/our-potato ... teamables/ They’re just an assortment little potatoes (red, white, medley, purple, or fingerling etc.) that can be steamed in the bag via a microwave. Plant-based milk is a good transition “food” that has largely the same culinary use as dairy milk. Can be eaten with cereal, cookies, doughnuts, etc. and can be used to make a variety of foods. I like to drink fortified Soy and Nut Milk since they’re comparable to cow milk in protein and mineral content.

Peanut butter was my saving grace while transitioning to veganism in college. I spread it on every kind of food you can think of (apple slices, toast, sandwiches, select veggies). My friend spreads it on her Beyond Burger. It was cheap and relatively high in protein and fat.

Canned beans, rice, and lentils are cheap and accessible too (although you should go easy on the rice).

Even if you don’t have much in the way of cooking skills, most of these foods can be cooked and prepared easily (sometimes with only a microwave or crock pot).

[Marluxia]

Mock meats are a great place to start in terms of transitioning. Especially now with Beyond and Impossible foods creating a lot of attention.

Beyond and Impossible are pretty good.

Tofu and Seitan can be pretty tasty depending on how you prepare it.

How would you recommend preparing it? Lay Vegan said teriyaki, but what are your preferred preperations?

I can understand veggies are hard if you haven't eaten them for a lot of your life (I remember when I tried getting into them at first, I almost threw up lol. Yet I never gagged when I put pig butt in my mouth).

Relatable.

I've suggested this a few days ago, about how you can mix it with a tasty food you like (spinach and mashed potatoes),

I'll pick up some spinach and potatoes next time I head to the store!

as well as preparing it differently and adding various spices.

Again, which would you recommend?

Beans vary in flavour, but you're bound to find a few you like.

Black beans are the only ones I've eaten in my life. But I've heard there are other pretty tasty ones if prepared right.

[quote=Red post_id=46807 time=1581735740 user_id=261Don't worry if you're struggling, especially if you don't do your own shopping. I've relapsed if you will on a few occasions admittedly, and I didn't even do it that well when I first started. Honestly I'm still in the process of adapting to new foods (I'm still picky as hell).
[/quote]
Thanks for the encouragement.

[Marluxia]

Or you can just eat it as is.

Sounds pretty bland

Steamables are excellent for picky eaters. https://www.sidedelights.com/our-potato ... teamables/ They’re just an assortment little potatoes (red, white, medley, purple, or fingerling etc.) that can be steamed in the bag via a microwave.

Potatoes are good, but are there any other vegetables?

Plant-based milk is a good transition “food” that has largely the same culinary use as dairy milk. Can be eaten with cereal, cookies, doughnuts, etc. and can be used to make a variety of foods.

I like almond milk. though it is a bit nutty. I like putting it in my coffee.

I like to drink fortified Soy and Nut Milk since they’re comparable to cow milk in protein and mineral content.

I remember I put soy milk in my coffee once, and it tasted kind of fruity. Is that how it's supposed to taste?

Peanut butter was my saving grace while transitioning to veganism in college.

Wait doesn't it contain bug parts? I know traces, but still.

Canned beans, rice, and lentils are cheap and accessible too (although you should go easy on the rice).

Would you say that bare minimum veganism (i.e. just beans, veggies, mock meats) is cheaper than a standard meat based diet?

Even if you don’t have much in the way of cooking skills, most of these foods can be cooked and prepared easily (sometimes with only a microwave or crock pot).

That's good to hear LOL

[theuproar]

I concur that mock meats make for an easier transition, but eating them primarily wasn't something that I was able to maintain over a long period of time. I feel/look/function a lot better with fruits, veggies, beans, and rice.

[SupaFly]

There are vegan versions of almost every animal product, at least in the US. Usually they are little bit more expensive, but if you have the money, you can literally eat the exact same as you have previously, just substitute with the vegan version. And many items are made by more than one brand, so if you don't like one, you can always try another.

If you don't have the funds to buy the vegan versions of animal products, then learn to cook with all the new plants you will soon be discovering. Or find a partner who enjoys cooking new things. It may take some time for your taste buds to evolve but eventually they do and you will enjoy eating plant food much more.