11 easy vegan recipes for Veganuary

Taking on Veganuary

Made the decision to try going vegan for the first time? Good for you! Veganuary is a great time to try it, not least because lots of other people are making the change alongside you. There’s lots of support available for new vegans out there.

If you’ve been interested in going vegan for a while, you’ll know that there are lots of benefits of a plant-based diet. As well as addressing lots of the issues with the standard Western diet, which is generally low on fruits and vegetables and high in fat and sugar, you’re also doing your bit for the planet. The meat and dairy industries are some of the biggest producers of carbon emissions which contribute to global warming. Cutting them out of your diet means you’re decreasing your carbon footprint and your impact on the environment.

That said, changing from your normal diet can seem like quite a daunting prospect. In the West, we grow up surrounded by meat and dairy. Often, we are taught at school that a healthy meal has to involve protein from meat, or that we will lose out on nutrients we need if we only eat plant-based foods.

Luckily, the information we have about nutrition has improved substantially since those days. We now know that a vegan diet is very healthy and can provide all the nutrients you need. But where should you start when you’re overhauling your diet?

Becoming vegan is a constant learning process. Over time, you’ll develop new techniques and recipes to help you eat a fulfilling and delicious plant-based diet. The toughest part is getting started. So, we’ve collated our favourite easy vegan recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacking, to get you started.

Easy vegan breakfasts

Lots of breakfast foods include dairy, from butter on toast to milk in your cereal. Luckily, there are great substitutes out there. Swap your butter for margarine and your milk for a plant-based version such as almond or oat milk.

When you want something a bit more substantial, the classic option for many of us is eggs. In fact, eggs are a permanent fixture on most brunch menus in everything from French toast to eggs Benedict.

However, there are loads of easy vegan recipes for delicious breakfast and brunch options which don’t require eggs or dairy. Here are a few of our favourites.

Tropical smoothie bowl

Fresh, exhilarating and super-healthy, our tropical smoothie bowl contains pineapple, coconut flakes and a special, healthy ingredient to give it that gorgeous pink hue. Rich coconut milk provides an addictive, creamy texture and tropical sweetness.

Top our bowl with fresh banana and a sprinkling of black sesame seeds for texture. Our tangy sea buckthorn shot provides loads of vitamin C, its sharp flavour complementing the tropical fruits perfectly. If they’re in season, we love adding fresh figs for a touch of luxury.

Brilliantly, the sweetness of the combination of fruits means that there’s no need for added sugar. So, you’re getting a couple of your five a day, vitamins, fibre and a refreshing breakfast, all without refined sugar. Not bad for a bowl!

Tropical Smoothie Recipe

Warming winter porridge with chia and apricot kernel oils

Few breakfasts can be as comforting as a warm bowl of porridge. Supercharge the nutritional value of your oatmeal by adding fresh berries, nuts and seeds. Then, drizzle with our health-boosting oils.

Chia seed oil contains a winning combination of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to a healthy heart, brain and nervous system. Meanwhile, apricot kernel oil contains antioxidants which help fight oxidative stress in the body.

To make this easy vegan recipe gluten-free, simply use gluten-free oats. It’ll get your day off to a great start, providing fibre, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids.

WINTER PORRIDGE recipe