'Veganuary' Kitchen staples that every new vegan should have
Have you been inspired to try a vegan diet this year? If so, then you might want to consider a 'Veganuary' style approach for your first month of being Vegan. Whether you’re trying to improve your health, do your bit for the planet, or just want to find out what veganism is all about, there has never been a better time to try a plant-based diet.
We’ve compiled a list of helpful tips – everything from cooking tools to pantry and essentials – to help any aspiring vegan out there to make their plant-based adventure just a little bit more fun.
Veganise your Favourite Food
If you can’t stop daydreaming about burgers and gooey chocolate brownies, veganise them! With veganism hitting the mainstream, there has never been such a variety of free-from choices. Either browse online for thousands of recipe ideas or get yourself a few vegan cookbooks, which are packed with information on how to sustain a balanced diet, and offer vegan alternatives to your favourite meals. To get you started, here are some of our favourite websites which will take you through your first month of being vegan:
Herbs and Spices
Spices add authentic flavour and aroma, which makes us hungry for the food we want to eat, and even allows us to distinguish a type of cuisine. Being vegan is the perfect time to experiment with your taste buds. Start off with fresh herbs or try something like nutritional yeast, which has nutty and cheesy flavours, that makes it an amazing Parmesan alternative! Cumin, garlic, chilli – use them spice up your meal and create flavour sensations without compromising your new vegan lifestyle!
Reusable Food Containers
Regularly buying food on-the-go can seriously damage your bank account without you even noticing. The choice can be also limited due to a lack of vegan options at your local supermarket, or you might even find yourself struggling to find out what’s in your sandwich. The best way to avoid hunger and disappointment is to prepare meals ahead of time and store them in food canisters. Consider investing in one of the Klean Kanteen’s Insulated Food Canisters, which are life-savers when it comes to keeping your food fresh or piping hot for hours. Environmentally-friendly, they can be used time and time again which makes it easy for you to replace a plastic lunch box and ensure your vegan food is really vegan!
A Reliable Knife Set
Whether you’re a food guru or stepping into the kitchen for the first time, everybody needs a reliable knife set. Available in a range of styles, sizes and finishes, it can take a while until you find the right one, but once you do – it will change your food prep forever! When choosing a kitchen knife, consider its purpose and look for either stainless-steel or carbon steel blades, which are both long lasting and will give you more precise slicing. For extra convenience, go for knives that have wooden handles as they will give you a better grip to hold and can be easily sanitised after each chop.
Storecupboard Essentials
Speaking of food; beans, chickpeas, lentils, quinoa, oats and pasta are just a few staple foods that can be used in to create delicious plant-based meals. Affordable and extremely versatile, they are full of complex carbs, fibre and protein providing you with essential nutrients to keep you at your best. Fill up your cupboards with canned vegetables which will come in handy when making dips, soups, stews and easy-dinner solutions when you just don’t feel like cooking for hours.
Transition Slowly
Changing your eating habits all at once might work for some, but for most it can be overwhelming and often it leads us back to our old habits. Instead, think of this a step-by-step process and allow yourself plenty of time. Your body will need to adjust to new sources of nutrients, while your mind must replace old habits with new ones. Carry on and veganism will soon become second nature.
Most Importantly
Have fun! Connect with like-minded people, share your journey with us and enjoy some delicious food which you might otherwise have never thought of trying out!
When adopting a greener lifestyle, don’t forget to #BringYourOwn #KleanKanteenUK reusable, eco-friendly stainless drinkware and accessories, which can be used every day for work, day trips and outdoor adventures, and they’ll last for years too.
