Delicious Foods You Can Eat on a Plant-Based Diet
In partnership with Wonderful® Pistachios
Unlike some other diet terms, "plant-based" is pretty straightforward: It means eating foods made primarily from plants. The diet includes staples like vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, oils… and many others as well. And yet, there's a big misconception out there that a plant-based diet looks a lot like a piece of lettuce on an otherwise boring plate.
Well, we're here to bust that wide open.
There are tons of edible and delicious plants out there that you can eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and/or dessert that tick all the healthy, tasty, and filling boxes. Here's a helpful refresher on the foods you can enjoy on a plant-based diet that you may have forgotten about.
Coffee
It's hard to imagine that every warm (or iced) cup of joe was once part of a plant, but it's true! Each coffee bean takes a journey from a little seedling to a thriving Arabica coffee plant. Once the beans are harvested, they're ground to the desired size and added to water—what comes next is the espresso or coffee you know and love to have in your favorite mug.
Go the extra mile by adding your favorite plant-based milk or creamer in your coffee. With tons of options at the grocery store, you can't go wrong with whatever dairy-free addition you choose to put in!
Wonderful Pistachios
A lot of plant-based foods can be used in different ways, but pistachios are one of the most versatile. One serving (AKA one handful, or around 49 nuts) has about 160 calories and is a good source of protein, with better-for-you unsaturated fats, fiber, and amino acids. Wonderful Pistachios No Shells variety pack comes in Roasted & Salted, Chili Roasted, and Honey Roasted snack packs, which are perfect for enjoying with a sweet or savory meal or as a snack on-the-go. They also make a tasty and healthy addition to any dish—simply crush them up to put on top of salads, soups, or pasta, add some to your favorite dessert, or just eat some right out of the bag!
Chocolate
Like coffee, this is another food that begins as a humble bean. But thanks to years and years of discoveries, there are so many different ways to enjoy chocolate as part of a plant-based diet. Think: hot chocolate (with dairy-free milk!), chocolate bars, chocolate candy, cacao nibs, and more! Just be sure to check the ingredients to make sure they're all ones you recognize and to note any dairy. Usually the darker the chocolate, the more likely it is dairy-free, and therefore truly plant-based.
Protein Bars
The protein bar aisle at the grocery store keeps getting bigger and bigger, and in it are a ton of plant-based options. They come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, and have a range of ingredients—all of which come from plants.
If you're more of a protein powder person, know that lately, dates, nut butters, oats, seeds, and more are making their way into plant-based protein powders.
You may notice a label on the packaging, but to make sure a protein bar or powder is truly plant-based, check the ingredients.
Yogurt
Yes, you definitely can enjoy yogurt following a plant-based diet! Non-dairy options can be found at most grocery stores and make the perfect base for a parfait. Fill a bowl with fruits, nuts (Wonderful Pistachios are a great option!), seeds, chocolate, and other plant-based additions of your choosing for a breakfast (and who are we kidding, a lunch, snack, dinner, or dessert) that will keep you full for hours.
Salad Dressing
A big, leafy, green salad filled with lots of veggies and more is a plant-based dream, but not when combined with a heavy, oily salad dressing. Instead, make your own! Olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper make a great combo, as do herbs, spices, avocado, Wonderful Pistachios, and olive oil. The plant-filled combinations are endless!
Whole Grains
No need to bypass popcorn, bread, and pasta while eating a plant-based diet—they're made from plants! Not only that, but other varieties are also popping up on grocery store shelves, like chickpea or zucchini pasta, whole grain or sprouted bread, burger buns, and more. These plant-based options can really round out a meal and make you feel full and satisfied.
