How do I start plant based cooking?

Start by experimenting with plant-based foods that taste and look familiar, rather than jumping to unfamiliar ingredients and dishes . If you like cereal for breakfast, switch to a plant-based milk. If you like chili for lunch, use your usual recipe but just stick with beans or swap in a ground beef substitute.

What are plant based whole food items?

Starchy vegetables: potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, etc. Whole grains: brown rice, rolled oats, farro, quinoa, brown rice pasta, barley, etc. Healthy fats: avocados, olive oil, unsweetened coconut, etc. Legumes: peas, chickpeas, lentils, peanuts, black beans, etc.

What is the downside of a plant-based diet?

Cons of a Plant-Based Diet Potential Nutrient Deficiencies : Vegetarian and vegan diets need to pay extra attention to ensure they're getting enough protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin B12 in their diets.

Can I eat eggs on a plant-based diet?

Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet , and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

Can you drink coffee on a whole food plant-based diet?

Coffee can be part of a healthy WFPB diet for most people . Some folks who suffer from anxiety/GI issues/low iron may want to steer clear or limit consumption. Tea is a great beverage to include in your WFPB lifestyle - especially herbal teas.

What are the 30 plant-based foods?

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apricots, sweet potatoes, peaches, plums, melons, eggplant, lemons, lettuce, green beans, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, corn, Swiss chard, celery, beets, onions, cauliflower, cherries, bananas, mushrooms, parsnips, turnips, ...

What is a plant-based diet for beginners?

In addition to fruits and vegetables, plant-based diets usually include lots of nuts, seeds, whole grains, oils, legumes, beans, herbs, and spices . They tend to avoid processed foods and animal products like red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. Some are more flexible than others: Mediterranean diets.

What is the easiest way to start a plant-based diet?

Ease into a plant-based diet with one meal or one day Go meatless one day a week. Make breakfast more about whole grains, like whole-grain toast or oatmeal, than animal products, like eggs, milk and bacon. Eat plant-based until dinner. Add greens like spinach or kale to your daily meals. More items...

What is a plant food for beginners?

It's All About the Nutrients: NPK Nitrogen (N)-helps fuel growth. Phosphorus (P)-promotes root development, increases blooms, and helps gets plants off to a strong start. Potassium (K)-essential to overall plant health; helps plants fight off diseases and withstand stressful growing conditions (like drought and heat).

What are 5 plant-based foods?

Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers…the more, the merrier! Whole grains: many whole grains are a vital source of protein and fiber.

Can I eat bread on a plant-based diet?

Vegans can eat bread that does not contain animal products or byproducts . This includes breads that only use some variation on flour, water, yeast, and salt including ciabatta, baguette, focaccia, sourdough, pita, and ezekiel breads.

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (2024)

122 Shares

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (1)

Thanksgiving is around the corner and if you are new to a whole food plant based lifestyle, this may cause you a pang of anxiety. So I decided to do a roundup of my favorite recipes that are PERFECT for a Thanksgiving dinner. These whole food plant based Thanksgiving recipes are delicious & easy to make, so even your meat-eating relatives might not even notice!!!

Thanksgiving Plant-Based Appetizers

Of course you can start off with some appetizers like salad, olive tray, assorted nuts. If you need some no-oil salad dressings, check these out. (Use code HOLIDAY50%OFF to get it for half price)

Autumn Squash Soup (Panera Bread Copycat)

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (2)

You might want to start off with a nice warm & creamy soup, inspired by Panera Bread. This soup is also known as Butternut Squash Soup and NO ONE will know that it doesn’t have dairy in it. The creamy base is created with coconut milk – use the light version to keep the fat & calorie content down or use the full fat coconut milk for a creamier version. Either way is GREAT! Click here for the Vegan Autumn Squash Soup Recipe.

7 Layer Vegan Bean Dip

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (3)

Perhaps you might want a non-traditional appetizer like a 7 layer bean dip. This whole food plant based appetizer uses a garlic cashew cream to make the “sour cream”. To make it 100% whole food plant based, leave off the vegan shredded cheese. Click here for the 7 Layer Vegan Bean Dip Recipe.

You’ll need WFPB tortilla chips to go along with the 7 layer bean dip and they are so quick & easy to make! Try these No-Oil Chili Lime Baked Tortilla Chips.

Healthy Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (4)

Do you have nacho cheese lovers? Sometimes my family likes to do a non-traditional meal for Thanksgiving or Christmas. We’ve done build your own nachos before and this Nacho Cheese sauce is the BOMB. Click here for the Healthy Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce.

Thanksgiving Plant-Based Main Course Recipes

Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (5)

These adorable little squash are the perfect serving bowl you get to eat! This recipe is packed with protein & flavor. Don’t be afraid – these squash cook fast and are easy to handle. I tell you all about it in the recipe. Click here to try the Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash.

One Pot Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Pasta

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (6)

Here’s another one that no meat eater will complain about. Don’t tell them it’s vegan and they will NEVER know. I even had a reader tell me he just tried this recipe, shared it with his friends and liked it so much it was going to be the main course for Thanksgiving. I thought what a great idea! Click here for One Pot Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Pasta.

Harvest Veggie Loaf

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (7)

For something a little more hearty, then you might want to try this Harvest Veggie Loaf from Monkey and Me Kitchen Adventures. They are one of my favorite whole food plant based bloggers and have lots of delicious recipes. Click here for their Harvest Veggie Loaf.

3 Bean Vegan Chili

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (8)

A nice warm and hearty 3 bean chili is great for a whole food plant based Thanksgiving meal! You can use any beans you’ve got and vary the spices to your liking. Click here for 3 Bean Vegan Chili Recipe.

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I love!

Thanksgiving Plant-Based Desserts

No Thanksgiving is complete without dessert and just because you are whole food plant based doesn’t mean you have to miss out!

The GREAT Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (9)

Whole Food Plant Based Pumpkin Pie??? YES! Dreena Burton is another one of my favorite WFPB bloggers and I’m totally making this Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving this year. I don’t host, but will be bringing lots of WFPB goodies…. Click here for Dreena Burton’s Great Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (10)

These little puppies are only 100 calories each and completely whole food plant based and YUM! No guilt dessert? Yes, thanks! Click here for Vegan Pumpkin Spice Muffins Recipe.

Lentil Peanut Butter Cookies

Easy Whole Food Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (11)

These are my favorite dessert and my meat-eating friends love them too! They are always devoured when we have guests over. FYI my version is slightly different than Dr. Fuhrman’s version which this recipe is adapted from. I use more lentils so it is a bigger batch. Click here for the Best Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies.