17 Vegan Groceries That Make Meat-Free Eating a Breeze
Giving up animal-based fare for a strictly plant-based diet isn't only more humane and environmentally sustainable, it's also more beneficial to your overall health. An eye-opening study published in the journal Nutrients discovered that veganism can protect against obesity, hypertension, type-2 diabetes, and cardiovascular mortality—additional benefits that trump a traditional vegetarian diet that embraces eggs and dairy.
Although folks who go vegan know that they need to get more creative when it comes to upping their intake of certain nutrients (such as protein, iron, and calcium) in order to meet a healthy body's demands, doing so can be both feasible and simple. To help streamline your trip to the supermarket, we've put together a list of our favorite vegan-friendly groceries to stock up on if you're following the lifestyle. Read on below, and then continue shedding excess flab with our 100 Best Weight Loss Tips.
Bolthouse Farms Unsweetened Plant Protein Milk
One cup of Bolthouse Farms' unsweetened plant-based milk serves up more protein and about 50 percent more calcium than a glass of dairy two percent milk!
The Beyond Burger
The Beyond Burger is probably the closest you'll come to real meat without compromising your humane lifestyle. The patty looks and cooks like real beef and even "bleeds" thanks to non-GMO beet juice.
Halo Top Dairy-Free Vanilla Maple
Scoop this exclusively dairy-free flavor into your smoothies, onto whole-grain waffles, or just enjoy it on its own for a light yet comforting late-night snack. If maple doesn't usually please your palate, Halo Top makes six other vegan-friendly pints including Toasted Coconut and Chocolate Almond Crunch.
Zupa Noma Carrot Coconut Lime
For a slimming side to your dinner's protein, try sipping on Zupa Noma's carrot coconut lime soup. It packs in a solid dose of plant-based fats and fiber to prevent blood pressure spikes and keep you satiated.
Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter Creamy
Upgrade your mid-afternoon pick-me-up with a tablespoon (or two—we're not judging!) of Smucker's natural peanut butter and a handful of antioxidant-packed strawberries or a banana for long-lasting energy.
Banza Chickpea Shells
Banza chickpea-based pasta shells taste and look like their wheat-based sibling, but pack in a boatload more fiber and protein per serving. Pair penne, spaghetti, or cavatappi with homemade marinara sauce or a rich, dairy-free cream sauce for a filling dinner.
Daiya Cheddar-Style Shreds
Creamy, indulgent, gooey: Daiya's non-dairy shreds boast everything you miss about real cheddar. Pack a handful onto your favorite slice of toast and pop it into the panini press for the ultimate "cheese" pull that'll rival the real thing.
Hope Foods Black Garlic Hummus
Hope Foods spikes its hummus with an underrated ingredient: black garlic. Strategically roasting whole cloves at 140 F for 30 to 40 days lends the allium its dark hue and sweetly caramelized flavor notes.
Vega One All-In-One Chocolate Nutritional Shake
Follow up your pilates session with an indulgent shake that'll nourish you with complete protein from complementary plant-based amino acid profiles as well as heart-healthy omega-3s and 20 percent of your daily values of both iron and calcium.
Alter Eco Dark Blackout 85% Organic Cacao
Dark chocolate with a cocoa count of over 70 percent is brimming with polyphenols, which benefit the body by reducing inflammation and fighting free radicals. As if we needed another reason to indulge.
Daiya Plain Greek Yogurt Alternative
Greek yogurt is one of our favorite snacks for weight loss, as it's packed with gut-healing probiotics and satiating fats and protein. Luckily, vegans can reap these tummy-toning benefits, too, with this vegan alternative that boasts less sugar and more fiber than dairy yogurt in addition to good bacteria.
Noble Bean Tempeh
Tempeh contains all nine essential amino acids, which makes it an ideal complete protein source for vegans looking to keep slim and satiated.
GoMacro Macrobar, Protein Purity
We love this portable protein bar because it's rife with plant-based fats, fiber, and a respectably low sugar and sodium count.
GT's Original Kombucha
Double up on your belly-loving probiotics with kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, that's packed with antioxidants and amino acids. GT's ferments a plethora of flavors such as Gingerade and Lavender for even the pickiest sippers.
Mary's Gone Herb Crackers
These organic, gluten-free crackers are studded with grains and seeds for a satisfying crunch that's packed with more fiber than your ordinary bag of greasy potato chips.
Ezekiel Low Sodium Bread
People are obsessed with Ezekiel bread because it's made with sprouted whole grains, which are full of fiber and way easier to digest than their non-sprouted counterparts.
NuGo Slim, Crunchy Peanut Butter
Throw this crunchy peanut butter bar into your purse or office drawer to quell pesky hunger pangs. For more vegan-approved nutrition bars, look for these 20 Best Plant-Based Protein Bars for Total Health.
