In the year 2020, eating vegan has evolved into more than just beans being the main source of protein and salads. It seems like there are so many alternatives to choose from these days that navigating your way through a plant-based lifestyle can seem quite intimidating. Because veganism can be tricky at first, we understand why people might be turned off by the idea of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle completely. Not to mention, choosing vegan alternatives can sometimes mean tasting foods with different flavors and textures that we aren’t used to. Luckily for you, some of us over at IBT have steadily moved on to a plant-based approach and have shared some of their favorite products below that have become staple kitchen items and has made the transition so much easier!
For us, living a plant-based lifestyle has been about so much more than being “healthy” in a general sense. The word “healthy” truly packs a punch when eating plant-based, and means more than you might think. Eating more plant-based foods can help support your immune system, reduce inflammation and has been shown to reduce risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other mental health illnesses. Not to mention, it requires about 100 times more water to produce a pound of animal protein than a pound of grain protein. When looking at the implications eating animal-based products has on our planet, you can see how reducing the animal products you eat will reduce the enormous amount of valuable water we waste, as well as our carbon footprint.
MALK Unsweetened Oat + Almond Milk Creamer
via @malkorganics
So delicious and NO additives. Truly a win-win.
Harmless Harvest Coconut Yogurt
via @harmlessharvest
Perfect in a smoothie, perfect in overnight oats, perfect on its own. Just, pure perfection!
Sun Chlorella Noodles
via @sunchlorellausa
Can be served hot or cold. Get you some noodles that can do both!! Sun Chlorella noodles are very tasty and contain more chlorophyll than most plants or foods, which aid in optimal and balanced health.
Trader Joe’s Yellow Lentil & Brown Rice Spaghetti
via Trader Joe’s
Packed with protein, this is a perfect alternative to spaghetti and equally as delicious!
SO Delicious Cashew Milk Snickerdoodle Ice Cream
via @so_delicious
Finding a plant-based ice cream with the right texture can be tough, but we’re here to say this ice cream is the closest thing we’ve gotten to tasting heaven! We seriously have 0 self control when eating this, and the bits of snickerdoodle make it oh so addicting.
Bear Pond Farm Spicy Vegan Pesto
Tempeh
via Love and Lemons
This is probably the #1 staple product in our kitchen! Tempeh is extremely versatile, filled with tons of nutrients, and absorbs the flavor of every seasoning and sauce it is added to! Bake it, fry it, dip it, throw it in a salad…seriously tempeh is never a bad idea.
We’re always looking for more plant-based products to add to our pantry, and new recipes to try. Let us know some of YOUR favorites on Instagram at @inspiredbythis! And if you love smoothies, you’ll love this vegan green smoothie by Kelly LeVeque.