Having a cache of healthy vegan foods for easy prep will make meals come together faster while reducing stress.
It’s morning. You have to be to work soon, but still need to eat and there aren’t many grab-and-go options nearby. It’s lunchtime and you are squeezing in a bite to eat between meetings. Or maybe it’s evening, and you have a 15-minute break in your online graduate class to make and start eating your dinner.
Sound familiar?
With a little planning and effort, these scenarios don’t have to be stress bombs. The key is choosing the right healthy vegan foods for easy prep so you’re able to grab something fast and go. But the added bonus is in the healthiness. The better (and easier) your foods, the better your overall physical and mental health. Kind of a win-win, right?
If you’re new to a vegan diet or are just looking for some easy to prepare foods for when time is tight, these ideas will inspire you while also ensuring that you include a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Perfect for those who don’t have time to prepare foods at a leisurely pace, here’s how to make vegan meals ahead of time or throw them together with minimal effort.
Breakfast
There’s a good chance that you’re in a hurry in the mornings (aren’t we all?!?), but thinking ahead to identify foods that you can prepare quickly and easily means you won’t miss the most important meal of the day.
So what should you eat? Try hot cereals like Cream of Wheat, oatmeal, grits or creamy rice cereal, which are filling and can warm you up on cold days. High-fiber cold cereals and overnight oats combined with fruits are also great options for convenient vegan breakfasts.
Looking for something you can whip up and consume on the go? An easy-to-blend smoothie can be perfect. Just mix it up and toss in a reusable cup to sip on your way.
Recipes to try:
- Blueberry Almond Chia Pudding from Eating Well
- Green Smoothie from Ambitious Kitchen
Lunch
Because they’re easy to prep ahead of time, salads, sandwiches and wraps are always a great idea. When it comes to salads, think garden veggie salads, legume-based salads or grain-based salads.
For handheld options, like sandwiches and wraps, vegetables or vegan meat substitutes such as vegan pepperoni slices and barbeque seitan are delicious alternatives.
Vegetable-based soups and legume-based soups are also great choices.
Here are a few lunchtime ideas:
- Lentil and Sun Dried Tomato Hummus Wrap by Simple Veganista
- Three Bean Salad from Well Plated
Dinner
It’s easy to whip up a delicious plant-based dinner in under 30 minutes, but the trick is often to plan ahead so that all the ingredients are ready to go.
You’ll want to make sure your dinner is protein-rich and includes vegetables and grains. To make sure that your body gets the nutrients it needs, be sure to include potatoes, whole-grain breads, greens, carrots and beans.
Vegan pasta, rice, burgers, lasagna, pizza, tacos, burritos, curries, soups and stews can all be made with savory plant-based ingredients that can be made into a main meal. And if you know you won’t have time at the end of the day to make a meal, look for recipes that are freezer-friendly or that you can make with intentional leftovers.
Here are some delicious dinner ideas:
- Vegan Tikka Masala by Feasting At Home
- Easy Vegan Enchiladas from Blissful Basil
Desserts
What better way to finish a busy day than with a little sweet treat? There are plenty of vegan options available, but here are a few that even the non-vegans among your friends and family will enjoy.
Here are some delightful dessert ideas:
- Vegan Almond Butter Brownies from Detoxinista
- Healthy No-Bake Carrot Cake Bars by Making Thyme For Health
