Simple swaps to enjoy more plant-based foods
Choosing to eat more plant-based foods is a great way to make kinder choices for the animals, the planet, and ourselves!
Making big changes to any sort of daily routine (including the foods you cook and eat!) can feel like a daunting task at first, but there are lots of simple swaps you can make to help get the ball rolling.
Stick with what you already know and love.
Many people think that eating plant-based food means completely giving up on the foods you already eat for something completely new and different, but that doesn’t have to be the case!
Sticking to recipes you already know and love will make the shift much easier, and you’d be surprised to find out just how easy some swaps can be!
If you love a weeknight spag bol, all you need to do is swap out the mince for some lentils, crumbled tofu, or try out a plant-based mince alternative from your local grocery store! Most spag bol sauces are often already plant-based, but remember to check the ingredients just in case.
With the growing range of plant-based alternatives on the market, enjoying your favourite flavours with a plant based twist is easier than ever! Here are our favourite simple swaps to help you enjoy more plant-based foods.
Plant Milks
If you enjoy a cup of coffee or two, consider trying out a plant milk instead of the usual dairy!
It’s an easy, everyday swap that you can make, and most cafés offer a variety of plant milk options to choose from. Whether it’s soy, almond, oat, rice, or something completely different, you’re bound to find the one for you.
Not all plant milks are created equal, either! If you’re used to dairy milk in your coffee, look for a café that uses barista blend plant milks to give you that smooth, creamy experience you know and love.
Vegan Butter
If you like to cook, bake or just enjoy a bit of toast in the morning, swapping out your butter for a plant-based alternative is another easy change!
We recommend trying out Natural’ Vegan Spreadable, Flora Plant Buttery or Nuttelex Buttery - all available at major grocery stores nationwide.
Plant-Based Cheeses
Not to fret, cheese lovers! A wide variety of vegan cheese alternatives are available on the market, too!
Vegan cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese and tasty slices can easily be found at many major grocery stores! Specialty stores even have artisan vegan cheeses like brie, chevre and many more.
Typically, vegan cheese is made from coconut, cashews, or other plant-based ingredients that mimic the taste, texture and cooking qualities of traditional dairy cheese.
Plant-Based Meat Alternatives
These alternatives might not be for everyone, but if you’re looking to enjoy more plant-based foods, cooking with familiar flavours and textures is a great way to get started.
In Australia, many of us are spoilt for choice when it comes to alternatives for burgers, sausages, crumbed chicken, mince and much more!
Whether you’re enjoying a weekend barbecue, Friday night burgers or a family feast, all you need to do is swap out the protein for a plant-based alternative.
Take a trip to your local grocery store where you can discover your next favourite ingredient! You can find plant-based meat alternatives in the freezer section, the vegetarian chillers (usually near the cheese, where all the tofu is!) and even next to the meat section.
Just like animal-based products, everyone’s tastes are different, and you might prefer certain products over others. We recommend trying out a few different brands and flavours to find out what you like!