Switching over to plant based diet - help?

[lemonzest123]

Hello!

Looking for some fun office lunch tips from the veggie/vegan crowd!

I changed my diet quite drastically in November which was great at first but because I'm horribly lazy I've found I'm basically eating the same meals every day.

Eggs and spinach on wholemeal thins for breakfast with blueberries and chamomile tea

Large bowl of mixed veg for lunch (today is sweetcorn, green beans, mange tout, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and more spinach), normally with seeded oatcakes or Ryvita and a spoonful of some kind of dip eg. low fat hummus. More tea.

Dinner (when I'm on my own) is almost always some combination of aubergine, courgette, spinach (again!), chilli, a bit of pasta or gnochi, sometimes something like Linda McCartney sausages or some tofu if I'm feeling fancy. Tea or several glasses of vino, which is totally plant based

I really need to start eating things that are real cooking, not just heating things up together - if that makes sense!

What do you have for lunch? (bear in mind am at work so limited to a microwave and toaster)

[Amy345]

Hi I love things like bulgar wheat salad for lunch (made with bulgar wheat, tomato puree, diced onions, fresh mint leaves, lemon juice, olive oil and walnuts). It's easy to make and lasts a couple days in the fridge so can serve multiple days. I always team it with an avocado or almond butter (the ones without any nasty additives or palm oil) or even tahini in order to top up on nutrients. Alternatively, sweet potatoes can be cooked in the microwave (in the same way as jacket potatoes can be) and are a great alternative to ryvita and rye bread and can be topped with homemade guacamole or baba ganoush. I know you were asking specifically about lunches but butternut squash makes a great meat substitute in things like vegetable curry for dinners and quinoa is a great alternative pasta/gnochi/rice.

[Blondie1984]

I really like falafel - I make a batch at the weekend and also do a huge tray of roast veg (sweet potato, BNS, red onion, carrots, peppers) and a pot of quinoa - then i use those throughout the week

Maybe have a look at the Anna Jones, Madeleine Shaw and Deliciously Ella websites - lots of ideas on there :)

[AtleastitsnotMonday]

Maybe look at some recipes for dishes with beans and pulses. Can be added to salads or served over jackets. I like roasted paprika chickpeas on salads. Can you heat things up? Soup is an easy lunch.Dahl is another.

[ppeatfruit]

Hugh F.B.'s River Cottage Veg. every Day is a great book for easy ideas.

[ppeatfruit]

I aften use organic textured soya protein where you would use normal mince, it's dead simple. I make a 'shepherds pie' with a mashed celeriac\carrot or parsnip topping (I don't eat potatoes) and nice oniony\garlicy filling with the TVP. I use tamari instead of stock.