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Most of us are trying to eat more plant-based foods, since the benefits of eating more plants are so strong. Aside from being better for our bodies, eating a plant-based diet (or cutting down on meat) is also better for the planet. But I sometimes struggle to eat my 5 a day, never mind the 7 or 9 fruit and vegetables we are actually supposed to eat! And eating 30 different types of plants each week can seem like a difficult task. Having a slightly picky eater in the family is an additional challenge to eating more plant-based foods – can you relate? Read on for seven easy – some might say sneaky – ways to eat more plants, even if you’re not a Vegan!
Sprinkle in Jux Dried Fruit and Veg Is the Sneakiest Way to Eat More Plant-Based Foods
Having kids, I love a sneaky way to add in fruit or veg. So when I discovered Jux Food, I was pretty excited. They say “JUX takes real ingredients, picks them at their best, and presses pause. No peeling. No chopping. No tears. No herbs wilting in the fridge door. Just real fresh ingredients, ready when you are.” I think we can all get on board with that!
Jux sell a variety of dried fruit and vegetables, either in little pieces or powder. I think of it as a next-level spice rack.
My favourites are the Beetroot Pieces and the Carrot Pieces. They’re an excellent way to boost your plant-based food levels with zero hassle. I chuck a tablespoon into my porridge or overnight oats, and they add a boost of flavour and colour along with extra nutrition.
I also sprinkle a few tablespoons of Jux Spinach Powder and Broccoli Powder into any pasta sauces I’m making. The kids never notice, and I feel smug I’ve got some extra plant-based nutrition into them.
Adding Beans to Everything Is a Great Way to Add Plants To Your Food
Beans are such a great food – relatively cheap, nutritious and full of protein and fibre. And they couldn’t be easier when you buy them in a can – just pop it open, drain and rinse and add to your sausage casserole for added plant-based power. I also add them to my favourite Hit’n’Run Chicken recipe for extra plant goodness. Don’t forget to recycle the can – aluminium can be recycled endlessly, and it’s such a precious resource. Adding a can of mixed beans to your bolognese lets you make the beef go further, without losing out on taste.
Swapping Milk to Plant-Based Alternatives is Much Easier (and More Eco-Friendly) with Overherd Powdered Oat Drink
I’m a HUGE fan of Overherd Powdered Oat Drink, and use it daily. If you’re the only plant-based milk fan in your family, it’s ideal, as you only mix what you need. And if you’re all oat milk fans, it will save you money and packaging waste. This powdered oat milk comes in a recyclable pouch with a bamboo scoop. You just scoop out however much you want to use, and shake it up with water for instant oat milk. No mess, no waste and no fuss. Plus it’s gluten-free and delicious. When I was using cartons, I often had to throw some away as I couldn’t get through it fast enough. Overherd is so much better. You can learn more about Overherd Powdered Oat Milk in my detailed blog post.
Use my affiliate link to save 15% on your whole Overherd order with the discount code OHDBECKY15
Getting a Fruit and Veg Box Delivered To Your Doorstep Makes Eating More Plants a Breeze
Having your fruit and vegetables delivered to you really helps take the decision making out of food prep. My youngest gets so excited to see what we have in our box, especially the fruit, and it helps us mix up our recipes more.
The Abel & Cole fruit and veg boxes come in lots of different combinations, so you can find the one that suits you. All their fruit and veg is organic, so it’s a bit more expensive than the supermarket, but it’s a more ethical and eco-friendly way to shop, and it’s better for you too. It’s the perfect way to eat more plant-based foods.
We try to grow some fruit and vegetables, and have an indoor salad garden, but we could never grow enough to be self-sustainable. So this is the next best thing!
Use the discount code ACVEG26 to save 50% off your 1st and 4th boxes here.
Pack Your Freezer with Fruit and Vegetables to Easily Eat More Plant-Based Foods
How many times have you bought fresh berries, only to discover they’ve gone off before you even got to eat them So annoying, and such a waste of food and money. Having a ready supply of frozen fruit and vegetables makes it easy to increase your plant intake. It also means you can have more variety, as you won’t be worried about wasting half of it.
Stocking your freezer with more than just peas gives you instant access to a rich variety of plants. We have peas, sweetcorn, peppers, onions, raspberries, and strawberries – all pretty standard. But there are a few extras I love, which make meal prep so much easier. I go through so much soffritto, which is a mix of ready chopped onions, carrots and celery: the ideal base for any stew or sauce. And such a time saver. I also love adding in a few handfuls of edamame beans, which are rich in protein. My latest plant-based discovery is frozen cauliflower rice. It cooks perfectly in the microwave in a couple of minutes, meaning you can add in an extra plant portion to any meal where you’d normally have rice.
Using frozen fruit and veg cuts down on waste as you can just take out what you need. Frozen food is often cheaper, without sacrificing the vitamins, as they are frozen when they are nice and fresh. I also buy frozen herbs, ginger and garlic, so I always have them on hand.
Sprinkle on Seeds For A Crunch Boost of Plant-Based Protein
I’ve always loved sunflower and pumpkin seeds – they are so good for you in moderation! But over the last few years, I’ve added flaxseed, hempseed and chia seeds to my diet. They’re all high in protein and fibre. Flaxseed is a real powerhouse, and I aim to eat two tablespoons a day, normally in my overnight oats, with a tablespoon or two of chia seeds.
A Vegan Meal Kit Subscription is an Easy Way to Eat More Plant-Based Foods
For those days when you just can’t face planning plant-based meals, let Grubby vegan meal kits do the heavy lifting for you. Grubby make award-winning plant-based meal kits and ready meals, and deliver them to your door.
The planet-friendly vegan meal kits are easy to prep and cut down on food waste. They’re an easy way to get multiple plants per meal, and are designed to contain naturally occurring plant protein to keep you fuller for longer, without meat.
“We partner with family-run farms to bring you the best seasonal produce, most of which is grown on British soil. On average, each of our recipes contains at least six varieties of fresh veg. Thatโs your five a day sorted.”
Grubby
Grubby are a certified B-Corp and donates a meal to a child living in poverty through 1morechild.org for each Grubby box bought.
I hope you’ve found my easy ways to eat more plant-based foods helpful, please Pin it for later!
